Multichannel CdZnTe gamma ray spectrometer

A 3 cm(3) multichannel gamma spectrometer for DOE applications is under dev elopment by Digirad Corporation. The device is based on a position sensitiv e detector packaged in a compact multi-chip module (MCM) with integrated re adout circuitry. The modular, multichannel design will enable identificatio n and quantitative analysis of radionuclides in extended sources, or source s containing low levels of activity. The MCM approach has the advantages th at the modules are designed for imaging applications, and the sensitivity c an be arbitrarily increased by increasing the number of pixels, i.e. adding modules to the instrument. For a high sensitivity probe, the outputs for e ach pixel can be corrected for gain and offset variations, and summed digit ally. Single pixel results obtained with discrete low noise readout indicat e energy resolution of 3 keV can be approached with currently available CdZ nTe. The energy resolution demonstrated to date with MCMs for 511 keV gamma rays is 10 keV. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.