IDENTIFICATION OF LIGHT CHARGED-PARTICLES AND HEAVY-IONS IN SILICON DETECTORS BY MEANS OF PULSE-SHAPE DISCRIMINATION

Pulse-shape discrimination with totally depleted Si-detectors in rever se mount has been investigated and shown to be an excellent method of charged-particle identification in the energy range of approximate to 2 to 20 AMeV. In test experiments with heavy-ion beams we obtained ele ment identification up to Ti and isotope resolution even for elements heavier than carbon. The promising results and the simplicity of the e lectronics recommend this technique for applications in multidetector arrays. In particular, small and compact 4 pi Si balls with relatively low thresholds for charged-particle identification to be combined wit h 4 pi neutron detectors or gamma arrays can be constructed.