Extreme γ-Ray Radiation Tolerance of Spectrometer-Grade CsPbBr₃ Perovskite Detectors

The perovskite compound CsPbBr₃ has recently been discovered as a promising room-temperature semiconductor radiation detector, offering an inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture alternative to the current benchmark material Cd_1−xZn_xTe (CZT). The performance of CsPbBr₃ sensors is evaluated under harsh conditions, such as high radiation doses often found in industrial settings and extreme radiation in space. Results show minimal degradation in detector performance after exposure to 1 Mrad of Co-60 gamma radiation, with no significant change to energy resolution or hole mobility and lifetime. Additionally, many of the devices are still functional after being exposed to a 10 Mrad dose over 3 days, and those that do not survive can still be refabricated into working detectors. These results suggest that the failure mode in these devices is likely related to the interface between the electrode and material and their reaction, or the electrode itself and not the material itself. Overall, the study suggests that CsPbBr₃ has high potential as a reliable and efficient radiation detector in various applications, including those involving extreme fluxes and energies of gamma-ray radiation.