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Advancements in CsPbBr3-Based X-ray Detectors
Recent developments in radiation detection technology have been spearheaded by a research team at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Led by Prof. Meng Gang, the team has made significant strides in enhancing the functionality of CsPbBr3-based X-ray detectors, achieving a remarkable reduction in detection limits while also mitigating noise and ion migration challenges through innovative cooling techniques and defect-passivation methods.
The findings, shared in Applied Physics Letters and Advanced Functional Materials, highlight a promising path forward for the development of safer, more accurate X-ray imaging technologies.
Traditionally, one of the most significant hurdles in deploying CsPbBr3 for X-ray detection has been the inherent noise and sensitivity issues. To address this, the researchers employed a liquid nitrogen cooling method on CsPbBr3 single crystals. This innovative approach has successfully diminished deep-level defects, leading to an impressive increase in the material’s resistivity—by two orders of magnitude. Consequently, the detection limit has been lowered to 0.054 nGyair·s-1, facilitating the identification of exceedingly faint X-ray signals.
Moreover, the team tackled the prevalent issue of ion migration in polycrystalline CsPbBr3 wafers, which are essential for broader usage in practical applications. Working alongside Prof. Fang Xiaosheng’s group at Fudan University, they devised a grain boundary passivation strategy that elevated the ion migration activation energy to 0.56 eV. This advancement effectively curtailed dark current drift under high electric fields, enabling the polycrystalline detector to achieve a detection limit of 9.41 nGyair·s-1, while retaining excellent image contrast.
The implications of these improvements are substantial, particularly in terms of radiation exposure. The enhanced CsPbBr3 detectors promise to lower the radiation dose required for X-ray imaging, a crucial factor for protecting sensitive populations, including children and expectant mothers.
This research not only represents a significant leap toward next-generation X-ray detectors but also accelerates the advancement of radiation imaging, steering it toward higher safety and precision standards.
More information:
Xiao Zhao et al, Freezing non-radiative recombination in high-performance CsPbBr3 single crystal X-ray detector, Applied Physics Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1063/5.0224223
Xiao Zhao et al, 2‐Bromonaphthalene‐Induced Defect Passivation to Suppress Ion Migration in CsPbBr3 Wafer for X‐Ray Detector with Bias‐Resistant Stability, Advanced Functional Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202500039
Citation: Enhanced CsPbBr₃ X-ray detectors achieve record-low detection limits (2025, April 15) retrieved 15 April 2025 from phys.org
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