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Article
Temperature Dependent I–V and Resistance Characterization of SuperCDMS Germanium Crystals
Physics
  • B. Shank
  • D. Q. Nagasawa
  • J. J. Yen
  • M. Cherry
  • Betty A. Young, Santa Clara University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-28-2011
Publisher
Springer
Disciplines
Abstract

We have built a versatile, compact 3He test facility to evaluate high-purity Ge (HPGe) SuperCDMS (Cryogenic Dark Matter Search) detectors. We are able to rapidly identify photolithographic or other defects in the thousands of W-Al transition edge sensors (TESs) on each detector and to evaluate the performance of the underlying substrate. We describe our simple method to measure current-voltage (I–V) characteristics and R vs. T behavior of HPGe detector crystals with resistances up to 100 GΩ. This provides a way to quickly perform diagnostic physics studies. Results provide critical data that give early warning that a crystal may not be suitable for the SuperCDMS underground experiment. Data from tests made on several kg-scale detectors are presented.

Citation Information
Shank, B., Nagasawa, D. Q., Yen, J. J., Cherry, M., & Young, B. A. (2012). Temperature Dependent I–V and Resistance Characterization of SuperCDMS Germanium Crystals. Journal of Low Temperature Physics, 167(3), 202–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-011-0449-7