Characterization of Graphene-Based Anisotropic Conducting Adhesives : A study regarding x-ray sensing applications

Abstract: A common method of cancer treatment is radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, a treatment planning system is made to specify the dose of X-rays needed to eradicate the tumor. To assure the right amount of X-ray dosage a quality assurance is using a phantom containing radiation sensors. The sensors are made of semiconductor materials with heavy metal-based contacts. Irradiating heavy elements with a high-intensity beam such as Xrays causes secondary scattering of electrons, resulting in an additional photocurrent which may distort the signal used in the quality analysis. By exchanging the heavy-metal contact material to a lighter version such as a carbon-based material, preventing secondary scattering, the error obtained from the quality analysis can be minimized.In this thesis, characterization of contacts between radiation diodes and a copper substrate by flip-chip bonding with reduced graphene oxide-based anisotropic conducting adhesive is made. The parameters of the connections are characterized with respect to electrical, thermal and mechanical properties.Analysis of the novel contact material is done by comparing different types of graphene-based anisotropic fillers with a commercial metal-based filler. Results obtained indicate that it is possible to exchange the metal-based fillers in an anisotropic conducting adhesive with reduced graphene oxide coated polymer spheres as a contacting material for radiation sensing technology.