Crystal defects and charge collection in CdTe-based x- and gamma-ray detectors

Abstract

The defects structure, charge collection, and detection efficiency of the Ni(NiO)/p-CdTe/Au/Cu Schottky-diode detector have been investigated. The spectroscopic properties of the obtained heterostructures have been studied experimentally and analyzed theoretically. The optimal reverse bias voltage for higher performance of the detectors under study was determined. The reasons of poor charge collection in the detectors and low detection efficiency of photons emitted by an 241Am (59.5 keV) radioisotope have been established and discussed. The techniques of increasing the functional parameters of Ni(NiO)/p-CdTe/Au/Cu Schottky diodes have the investigated and the optimal ways for improvement of the detector performance have been formulated.