THIN-FILM GEAU BOLOMETERS FOR PARTICLE-DETECTION

Robust GeAu thin film bolometers for nuclear radiation detection have been fabricated on Silicon substrates, using flash evaporation and mic rofabrication techniques. Electrical (rho(T)) and thermal characterist ics (heat capacity, conductance to substrate) of the devices were meas ured over a wide range of composition (10 to 45 wt-% Au) and temperatu re (0.27 - 77 K). Variable range hopping explains the temperature depe ndence of resistivity, with no indication of an abrupt transition to i nsulating or metallic behavior at the lowest temperatures tested. Heat pulses due to alpha particles incident on either side of the devices have been observed at 1.5 K.