Electrode configuration and energy resolution in gamma-ray detectors

Materials used for room-temperature gamma-ray detectors exhibit substantial charge-collection deficiencies. As a result, the geometrical arrangement of charge-sensing electrodes on a detector can have a very large influence on its spectral performance. A discussion of the effects of electrode geometry on charge signal generation and energy resolution is presented. Various electrode configurations including spherical, coaxial, pixel, strip and coplanar-grid are examined in theoretical terms to evaluate their effectiveness and limitations in enhancing the performance of detectors with charge trapping.