CdTe and Cd1−xZnxTe for nuclear detectors: facts and fictions

Both CdTe and Cd1−xZnxTe (CZT) can be considered from their physical properties as very good materials for room temperature X- and γ-rays detection. However, despite years of intense material research, no significant advance has been made to help one to choose between both semiconductors. This paper reviews a few facts about CdTe and CZT to attempt to draw a real comparison between both. THM-CdTe and HPB-CZT have been grown and characterized in Strasbourg. Crystal growth, alloying effects, transport properties and defects are reviewed on the basis of our results and the published ones. The results show that it is still very difficult to claim which one is the best.