Chalcopyrite Crystal Radiation Detectors

Year
2006
Author(s)
Lisa Orona - Y-12 National Security Complex
U. N. Roy - Fisk University
M. Groza - Fisk University
Y. Cui - Fisk University
Arnold Burger - Fisk University
Abstract
Silver gallium diselenide (AgGaSe2) are crystals having the chalcopyrite structure which have been grown and tested for potential use as radiation detectors. Crystals in this family along with AgGaSe2 crystals, AgGaTe2, AgInSe2, CuInSe2 and CuInTe2 crystals have electronic properties that can be tailored to match the optimal requirements for such devices that could be useful for portable, low power radiation monitoring. Samples with a high resistivity were measured with the AgGaSe2 crystals and the ability to detect alpha and gamma-ray sources at room temperature was observed. If successful, these room- temperature radiation detectors could replace current high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, which have to be cooled to liquid nitrogen temperatures in order to operate.