Recent Progress in Halide Perovskite Radiation Detectors for Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

Detecting hard X-rays and gamma-rays with high energy resolution is critical for medical and industrial applications, high-energy fundamental physics, and homeland security. Two types of radiation detectors, indirect-conversion (scintillators) and direct-conversion (solid-state) detectors, are the most widely used technologies. Semiconductor-based detectors that can directly convert gamma-rays into an electrical signal and operate at room temperature are especially important as portable and cost-efficient detectors with high sensitivity and energy resolution. Recently, lead halide perovskites have attracted enormous interest for gamma-ray detection, and significant progress has been made toward practical detectors using perovskites as active materials. In this Review, we start with the fundamentals of gamma-ray detection and review the recent developments in halide perovskite gamma-ray detectors. The key factors affecting the detector performance are summarized. We also give an outlook on the field, with emphasis on the challenges to be overcome.

Automated summary

Detecting hard X-rays and gamma-rays with high energy resolution is critical for various applications. Lead halide perovskites have attracted significant interest as potential detectors with high sensitivity and energy resolution.