Alpha Particle Detection with a Planar CdZnTe Detector and Relative Simulations

The performance of CZT in $$\gamma $$ -ray and X-ray detection is growing rapidly in these years. However, there are only a few reports on its utilization in $$\alpha $$ particle detection. Therefore, to study the properties of CZT for detection of $$\alpha $$ particle, a detection system has been manufactured, and a series of simulations have been done. A $$22\times 22\times 0.7 mm^3$$ planar CZT detector is deployed to detect the $$\alpha $$ particles from a radiation source containing Am-241 and Pu-239, while COMSOL MultiPhysics and GEANT4 are employed in the simulation of charge collection and interaction between $$\alpha $$ particles and CZT. An energy resolution of 1.47% FWHM at 5.486MeV and 1.32% at 5.157MeV has been achieved. A simulated spectrum has been created, and it is analogous to the one from experiment. The experiment results show the potential of CZT in $$\alpha $$ detection. The simulations are confirmed effective and will guide a better design of the detecting system.