CdMnTe crystals for x-ray and gamma-ray detection

Abstract

CdMnTe (CMT) can be a good candidate for producing gamma-ray detectors because of its wide band-gap, high resistivity, and good electron transport properties. Further, the ability to grow CMT crystals at relatively low temperatures ensures a high yield for manufacturing detectors with good compositional uniformity and few impurities. Groups at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Institute of Physics are investigating several CMT crystals, selecting a few of them to make detectors. In this paper, we discuss our initial characterization of these crystals and describe our preliminary results with a gamma-ray source.