Establishment of the Radiation Detection Laboratory at Fisk University

Journal Article · Thu Feb 28 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Applied Surface Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2007.10.064· OSTI ID:956347

Arnold Burger, Ph D ^[1]

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1. Fisk University

Synthetic CdZnTe (CZT) semiconducting crystals are highly suitable for the room temperature-based detection of gamma radiation. The surface preparation of Au contacts on surfaces of CZT detectors is typically conducted after (1) polishing to remove artifacts from crystal sectioning and (2) chemical etching, which removes residual mechanical surface damage however etching results in a Te rich surface layer that is prone to oxidize. Our studies show that CZT surfaces that are only polished (as opposed to polished and etched) can be contacted with Au and will yield lower surface currents. Due to their decreased dark currents, these as-polished surfaces can be used in the fabrication of gamma detectors exhibiting a higher performance than polished and etched surfaces with relatively less peak tailing and greater energy resolution.032}

• Research Organization: Fisk University
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG52-05NA27035
• OSTI ID: 956347
• Report Number(s): Fisk# 2112
• Journal Information: Applied Surface Science, Journal Name: Applied Surface Science Vol. 254; ISSN ASUSEE; ISSN 0169-4332
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DETECTION
ENERGY RESOLUTION
ETCHING
FABRICATION
GAMMA RADIATION
PERFORMANCE
POLISHING
RADIATION DETECTION
TAILINGS
room temperature nuclear detector
CZT
semiconductor detectors