Computational Models for Crystal Growth of Radiation Detector Materials: Growth of CZT by the EDG Method

Crystals are the central materials element of most gamma radiation detection systems, yet there remains surprisingly little fundamental understanding about how these crystals grow, how growth conditions affect crystal properties, and, ultimately, how detector performance is affected. Without this understanding, the prospect for significant materials improvement, i.e., growing larger crystals with superior quality and at a lower cost, remains a difficult and expensive exercise involving exhaustive trial-and-error experimentation in the laboratory. Thus, the overall goal of this research is to develop and apply computational modeling to better understand the processes used to grow bulk crystals employed in radiation detectors. Specifically, the work discussed here aims at understanding the growth of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT), a material of long interest to the detector community. We consider the growth of CZT via gradient freeze processes in electrodynamic multi-zone furnaces and show how crucible mounting and design are predicted to affect conditions for crystal growth. (authors)