Scientific instrument for studying transient currents in semiconductors

One of the major challenges in the field of semiconductor detectors is the adjustment of semiconductor detectors to operate in high radiation fields (particle physics, nuclear, beam therapies) and medical applications. Transient current technique is one of the most versatile techniques allowing the studies of fundamental semiconductor material properties on one side and complex device performance on the other. It is used in characterization of a wide range of particle detectors, material research and electronics industry. The technique exploits generation of non-equilibrium carriers in semiconductor by short pulses of laser light (or particle) and follows the response of the device as the carriers drift/diffuse/recombine. A spin-out team at the Slovenian research institute has developed two different systems, a Compact/Educational Transient Current Technique (TCT) System and a more elaborate and larger system, called Scanning-TCT. The compact Compact/Educational TCT System is a portable/table system intended for use at educational institutions (basics of semiconductors) and at research institutions for state-of-the-art studies of semiconductor material properties. It is used in elementary particle physics and all other applications where semiconductor changes after exposure to different types of radiation are explored, such as dosimetry, photovoltaic, nuclear medicine and radiology. On the other hand, the more elaborate and larger system, called Scanning-TCT, uses focusing optics (beam spot of few microns) and a full 3D translation stages to move the laser beam with sub-micron precision across the device for studies of position resolved response. Both systems encompass fast pulsed laser (full width at half maximum, FWHM ~350ps) of different wavelengths, full readout electronics chain (HV filters, Bias-T, wideband amplifiers), temperature controlled mounting plane (Peltier element), data acquisition and control software and a software package for signal analysis. The Scanning-TCT includes in addition the computer controlled stages and complex focusing optics. There are several add-ons to the system such as multi-electrode readout, beam monitors, beam locators etc. Due to the good results obtained with this system, ease of use and because of the long experience and reputation of the research group in this area, many research institutions have already acquired TCT instruments from the Slovenian company. In collaboration with leading scientific institutions the company team has detected a market niche of available scientific instruments applying TCT technique in educational purposes. Though the team has developed the prototype of Compact/Educational TCT System, in the next stage they would like to find a partner for joint development of a commercial TCT instrument for educational purposes which could be mass produced and sold internationally. The Slovenian company is looking for partners specialized in scientific instrument development with established access to market to jointly develop a new version of commercially available instrument for educational purposes. Also, distributors with access to market of educational instruments with extensive experience about demands in science and engineering education community are sought. The company is offering cooperation under technical agreement and commercial agreements with technical assistance.