Single crystal CVD diamonds as sensors for heavy ion spectroscopy

High purity diamonds obtained from carbon vapor deposition (CVD) on silicon backing show a lot of reticular defects which produce low energy resolution and low electric signals under bombardment with nuclear particles. The problem can be overcome allowing CVD diamonds to grow on suitable low cost diamond backings: e.g. HPHT diamond pieces. Diamond crystal 100 microns thick, grown with this new technique in Roma - Tor Vergata, Italy, laboratories, have been studied in Catania University and INFN laboratories. We used them as detectors of nuclear radiations. Under the bombardment with protons and alpha particles of 3 MeV and 6Li ions and 12C ions of up to 8 MeV/nucleon they showed an energy resolution similar to that of silicon detectors of comparable size and an efficiency for charge collection at electrodes of about 100%. So they can be recommended as detectors for nuclear spectroscopy in high radiation background, as e.g. for 0 degrees measurements in double charge exchange reactions.