Radiation detectors made of binary semiconductor compounds

Starting from the radiation measuring technique requirements on semiconductor materials, some binary compounds are described, which have been found appropriate for detection of ionizing radiation. Semiconductor detectors of most advanced performance, i.e., CdTe, HgI2, and GaAs, are considered in detail. The results reviewed show that detection and spectrometry of photons within the energy range of 1 to 100 keV is possible for purposes of nuclear medicine and nuclear power industry by means of such semiconductor detectors. Finally, trends of further development are briefly considered. (author)