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A Path to Produce High-Performance CdZnTe Crystals for Radiation Detection Applications: Crystal Growth by THM, Surface Preparation, and Electrode Deposition

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High-Z Materials for X-ray Detection

Abstract

CdZnTe crystals are the perfect candidate for room-temperature X-ray and gamma-ray detection systems. The growth of detector-grade crystals, on the other hand, is challenging due to the unique properties of the CdZnTe. Having high ionicity of bonds, the low thermal conductivity of solid, segregation of Zn, and retrograde solubility of Te decreases the yield for melt growth techniques by causing high variance in performance of obtained crystals from the same ingot. Traveling heater method (THM) is a solution-based growth technique, one of the preferred growth methods to get high-quality crystals with high yield. Lowered growth temperatures, low segregation of Zn, and the ability to use the seed crystal are advantages of THM. This chapter covers the THM growth method for obtaining high-performance detector-grade CdZnTe crystal in detail. Crystal preparation techniques and electrode deposition methods are discussed. Obtained mobility-lifetime product, leakage current, and resistivity for growth crystals are compared with commercially available CdZnTe crystals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Micro and Nanotechnology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Mustafa Ünal & Raşit Turan

  2. Crystal Growth Laboratory, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Mustafa Ünal & Raşit Turan

  3. Physics Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Raşit Turan

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  1. Mustafa Ünal
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  1. Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Leonardo Abbene

  2. Redlen Technologies, Saanichton, BC, Canada

    Krzysztof (Kris) Iniewski

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Ünal, M., Turan, R. (2023). A Path to Produce High-Performance CdZnTe Crystals for Radiation Detection Applications: Crystal Growth by THM, Surface Preparation, and Electrode Deposition. In: Abbene, L., Iniewski, K.(. (eds) High-Z Materials for X-ray Detection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20955-0_12

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