Diamond detectors for space applications

This work reviews some general results obtained by our group in the framework of a programme focused on the development and the characterisation of Vacuum-UV (VUV) CVD diamond photodetectors to address the requirements of space missions where pixel and 2-D arrays are used. We discuss the performance of detectors based on single crystal diamond films and CVD polycrystalline diamond films. The performance of these devices in the dark and under illumination was investigated and the results were compared to those from CCD and MCP detectors. The status of diamond detector technology is finally described in order to highlight its advantages over more traditional detectors and the aspects requiring further developments.