Materials Aspects of Germanium Radiation Detector Fabrication

ABSTRACTAn overview of the present status and future requirements of material for germanium radiation detectors is presented. Fabrication and storage problems for both lithium-drifted, doped germanium and high-purity germanium are compared to demonstrate the reasons for the recent complete dominance of the latter in commercially available radiation detectors. The effect of electrically active point and line defects on the resolution and operating characteristic of high-purity germanium radiation detectors is discussed. Emphasis is placed on deep impurities and dislocations. Present and future applications of high-purity germanium radiation detectors are reviewed.