Radiation Detector Materials: An Overview

This review describes the current state of radiation detection material science, with particular emphasis on national security needs and the goal of identifying the challenges and opportunities that this area represents for the materials science community. Radiation detector materials physics is reviewed, which sets the stage for performance metrics that determine the relative merit of existing and new materials. Semiconductors and scintillators represent the two primary classes of radiation detector materials that are of interest. The state-of-the-art and limitations for each of these materials classes are presented, along with possible avenues of research. Novel materials that could overcome the need for single crystals will also be discussed. Finally, new methods of material discovery and development are put forward--the goal being to provide more predictive guidance and faster screening of candidate materials--and thus ultimately the faster development of superior radiation detection materials