Nuclear Radiation Detection Materials, 2009

Detector materials include semiconductors and scintillators, which are represented by a variety of binary molecular compounds such as lanthanum halides (LaX3), zinc oxide (ZnO) and mercuric iodide (HgI2). Ideally, these materials possess appropriate range bandgaps, high atomic numbers of the central element and high densities. They also perform at room temperature, have strong mechanical properties and low production costs. There are significant gaps, however, in the information needed to improve the quality of these materials - in terms of reproducible purity, homogeneity and mechanical integrity. This book features the latest advances in radiation detection materials, both from experimental and theoretical standpoints, as both are needed to grow and characterize materials that will produce enhanced detectors of the future. Topics include: CdTe and CdZnTe detectors; neutron detectors and scintillators.