High-resolution Hgl2 x-ray spectrometers

Abstract

Several high‐resolution HgI₂ x‐ray detectors have been made from single crystals grown from the vapor phase. Hole and electron transport properties and detector electrical characteristics are described. Measured mobility‐lifetime product for electrons is 8×10⁻⁵ cm²/V with a μ_e of 3 cm²/V sec. The mean energy per electron‐hole pair is 4.33 eV at 122 keV. Detectors up to 1 mm³ are described, and a resolution as low as 850 eV at 300 °K in air has been obtained for 5.9‐keV x rays, which suggests possible x‐ray flourescence detection applications.