Determining ionizing radiation using sensors based on organic semiconducting material

TLDR

Organic semiconductor resistors serve as the simplest radiation sensors. The study proposes using organic semiconductor sensors to detect total ionizing radiation dose by measuring conductivity changes. The authors fabricated P3HT‑based resistors and OFETs and exposed them to Cobalt‑60 radiation to assess dose‑dependent conductivity changes. The observed electrical changes demonstrate the devices’ potential as ionizing radiation sensors.

Abstract

The use of organic semiconducting material sensors as total dose radiation detectors is proposed, wherein the change in conductivity of an organic material is measured as a function of ionizing radiation dose. The simplest sensor is a resistor made using organic semiconductor. Furthermore, for achieving higher sensitivity, organic field effect transistor (OFET) is used as a sensor. A solution processed organic semiconductor resistor and an OFET were fabricated using poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT), a p-type organic semiconductor material. The devices are exposed to Cobalt-60 radiation for different total dose values. The changes in electrical characteristics indicate the potential of these devices as radiation sensors.