CZTbased

CZT-based refers to detectors and related devices that use cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) as the active semiconductor material. CZT-based detectors are used to detect X-rays and gamma rays and are notable for operating at or near room temperature, in contrast to many other high‑Z detectors that require cooling. The material combines a relatively high density and a wide band gap, enabling efficient photon absorption with moderate thermal noise.

CZT crystals are ternary compounds with varying zinc content to tailor properties such as band gap and lattice matching. Crystals are grown by several techniques and then processed into detector elements, often in pixelated formats or with specialized electrode designs such as Schottky contacts, coplanar grids, or small-pixel configurations to improve charge collection. Device performance depends on crystal quality, thickness, and the geometry of the electrodes, which influence energy resolution and detection efficiency.

Advantages of CZT-based detectors include operation at room temperature, high stopping power for X-ray and gamma-ray photons, good energy resolution relative to many scintillators, and suitability for compact and portable radiation detectors. They are particularly attractive for portable medical imaging, security screening, and certain industrial and scientific applications where dense, room-temperature detectors are beneficial. Limitations include crystal quality issues such as defects and inclusions that cause spectral tailing or polarization under bias, manufacturing costs, and lower yields of large, uniform crystals. Ongoing research focuses on improving crystal growth, defect control, and electrode designs to enhance uniformity, stability, and performance.

Applications span medical imaging, homeland security, industrial non-destructive testing, and space-based X-ray astronomy, where CZT-based detectors offer a valuable combination of sensitivity, resolution, and operational practicality.