Development of compact gamma-ray detector based on CsI:Tl crystal coupled to P-I-N photodiode

Thallium activated CsI crystal used with a P-I-N photodiode, that shows a good efficiency at longer wavelengths and compact in size, has renewed the interest in the CsI(Tl) crystals. In several applications, these crystals have exhibited advantages over the conventional NaI(Tl) based scintillator, including better scintillation output and non-hygroscopic nature. The emission from CsI(Tl) crystals at 550 nm that matches well with Si-photodiodes has facilitated the fabrication of compact detector geometry. In this communication, the development and characterization of gamma-ray detectors using CsI:Tl crystal coupled to Si-PIN photodiodes are reported