The effect of deep-level defects is a key issue for the applications of CdZnTe high-flux photon counting devices of X-ray irradiations. However, the major trap energy levels and their quantitive relationship with the device’s performance are not yet clearly understood. In this study, a 16-pixel CdZnTe X-ray photon counting detector with a non-uniform counting performance is investigated. The deep-level defect characteristics of each pixel region are analyzed by the current–voltage curves (I–V), infrared (IR) optical microscope photography, photoluminescence (PL) and thermally stimulated current (TSC) measurements, which indicate that the difference in counting performance is caused by the non-uniformly distributed deep-level defects in the CdZnTe crystals. Based on these results, we conclude that the CdZnTe detectors with a good photon counting performance should have a larger ${\mathrm{Te}}_{\mathrm{cd}}^{2+}$ and Cd vacancy-related defect concentration and a lower A-center and Te_i concentration. We consider the deep hole trap Te_i, with the activation energy of 0.638–0.642 eV, to be the key deep-level trap affecting the photon counting performance. In addition, a theoretical model of the native defect reaction is proposed to understand the underlying relationships of resistivity, deep-level defect characteristics and photon counting performance.

We report growth of single-crystal Cd_0.9Zn_0.1Te ingots while using the pressure-controlled Bridgman method. The Cd pressure was controlled during growth to suppress its evaporation from the melt and reduce the size of Te inclusions in the as-grown crystals. The accelerated crucible rotation technique (ACRT) was used to suppress constitutional supercooling. The fast accelerating and slow decelerating rotation speeds were optimized. Two-inch Cd_0.9Zn_0.1Te single-crystal ingots without grain boundaries or twins were grown reproducibly. Glow discharge mass spectrometry results indicate the effective segregation coefficients of Zn and In dopants are 1.24 and 0.18, respectively. The full width half maximum (FWHM) of X-ray rocking curve was approximately 22.5 ″, and the IR transmittance was approximately 61%, indicating high crystallinity. The mean size of the Te inclusions was approximately 13.4 μm. Single-crystal wafers were cut into 5 × 5 × 2 mm³ slices and then used to fabricate gamma ray detectors. The energy resolution and peak-to-valley ratio maps were constructed while using 59.5 keV gamma ray measurements, which proved the high uniformity of detection performance.

Te precipitates in CdZnTe (CZT) crystals grown by the traveling heater method (THM) are investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results show that in THM-grown CZT crystals, Te precipitates are less than 10 nm in size—much smaller than those in Bridgman-grown CZT. They have hexagonal structure and form a coherent interface with zinc blend structure CZT matrix in the orientation relationship ${\left[\overline{1}12\right]}_{\mathrm{M}}//{\left[0001\right]}_{\mathrm{P}}$ and ${\left(1\overline{1}1\right)}_{\mathrm{M}}//{\left(\overline{1}100\right)}_{\mathrm{P}}$ . A ledge growth interface with the preferred orientation along the ${\left[1\overline{1}1\right]}_{\mathrm{M}}$ and ${\left[110\right]}_{\mathrm{M}}$ was found near Te precipitates. The growth and nucleation mechanism of Te precipitates are also discussed.