Radiation detectors for room temperature operation: A survey of alternative materials

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10178328

A need exists in the radiation detection community for room temperature solid-state X-ray and gamma ray detectors. Although mercuric iodide will meet this need when the material is fully developed, the high resolution required for thick, high-efficiency detectors may take time to realize, and further, a material capable of sustained operation at the temperature extremes possible in all terrestrial applications is clearly needed. A two-phase project was initiated with the objective of identifying materials having the potential for being developed into solid-state X-ray and gamma ray spectrometers. Phase 1 of the study involved a search through various data bases for compounds with basic physical and chemical properties required for room temperature operation and the selection of the most promising candidates. Those candidates selected in Phase 1 will be subjected to further review in Phase 2, through both theoretical and experimental studies, to establish the potential of these materials as radiation detectors capable of operation at room temperature. Past work on development of radiation operable at room temperature is given. In addition to the extensive work on HgI{sub 2}, various materials has been evaluated for their potential for room temperature operation. Work reported on CdTe, TIBr, InP, CdS, CdSe, CdZnSe, GaAs, and AISb is reviewed here. To varying degrees, low {mu}{tau} products, high leakage currents, polarization, trapping, and reactivity in air have plagued the performance of these materials. The selection criteria established for evaluating potential materials, and application of these criteria to various candidate materials is detailed. Atomic number, bandgap, resistivity, {mu}{tau} products, and useable temperature range were all properties considered. Properties such as melting temperature, vapor pressures, and reactivity were considered. Materials were weighed more favorably if prior technology indicated the ability to grow high quality crystals.

• Research Organization: EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Goleta, CA (United States). Santa Barbara Operations
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-88NV10617
• OSTI ID: 10178328
• Report Number(s): EGG-10617-2126; ON: DE92040490
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: Mar 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
MATERIALS
X-RAY SPECTROMETERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
HGI2 SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
MERCURY IODIDES
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
THALLIUM BROMIDES
CADMIUM SULFIDES
CADMIUM SELENIDES
ZINC SELENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDES
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
440103
360606
NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION