What is ATOMKI SpaceDet Project?

Development of thin-film scintillators for radiation detectors that integrate high-precision spectroscopic performance with a scalable architecture compatible with any spaceborne platform. These systems facilitate real-time monitoring of cosmic radiation fields, providing the critical data to mitigate risks to astronauts and mission success.

The scintillator

Polycrystalline Cs₃Cu₂I₅ (CCI325) has emerged as an optimal material for thin-film scintillators, demonstrating exceptional performance as a spectroscopic device. It is characterized by excellent long-term stability, high sensitivity to heavy-ion radiation, and remarkably low manufacturing costs.

Thin-layer technology

Thin-layer preparation technology has been developed for polycrystalline CCI325 in collaboration with University of Szeged. The process reliably produces layers within a 10–100 μm thickness range, specifically engineered to match the typical stopping range of MeV-range particles.

Competitiveness

Our material selection coupled with optimized thin-film deposition provides a competitive advantage over conventional scintillators. This combined strategy yields significant cost savings alongside exceptional durability even in harsh environments like in space.

Detector design

A detector architecture integrating polycrystalline CCI325 thin films with SiPM sensors is proposed for high-efficiency, miniaturized particle-radiation spectrometer. By utilizing a phoswich configuration and pulse-shape discrimination, high-fidelity particle identification and energy reconstruction are ensured across a broad spectral range.