The effects of 199 MeV proton radiation damage on CdZnTe photon detectors

Four CdZnTe detectors were irradiated with 199 MeV protons to simulate the damaging radiation in space. The gamma-ray spectra of /sup 241/Am and /sup 57/Co as well as the detector leakage currents were monitored at room temperature to assess the effects of radiation damage. Surprisingly, after a flu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hull, E.L., Pehl, R.H., Varnell, L.S.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Degradation
Gamma ray detection
Gamma ray detectors
Gas detectors
Germanium
Leak detection
Leakage current
Protons
Radiation detectors
Temperature measurement
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Four CdZnTe detectors were irradiated with 199 MeV protons to simulate the damaging radiation in space. The gamma-ray spectra of /sup 241/Am and /sup 57/Co as well as the detector leakage currents were monitored at room temperature to assess the effects of radiation damage. Surprisingly, after a fluence of a few x10/sup 8/ p/cm/sup 2/, gamma-ray peak shifts and resolution degradation became visible. After a fluence of 5/spl times/10/sup 9/ p/cm/sup 2/ the degradation was quite dramatic. An analysis of these effects clearly demonstrates that radiation damage causes electron trapping in CdZnTe detectors. No increase in leakage current or electronic noise was observed. Radiation damage effects in CdZnTe and germanium detectors are compared. CdZnTe detectors are /spl sim/250 times more sensitive to radiation damage than germanium detectors per unit charge-drift distance.
ISSN:1082-3654
2577-0829
DOI:10.1109/NSSMIC.1996.591507