Restoration of lithium driftability in some vacuum-grown germanium crystals for gamma-ray detectors

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Date
1970-11
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
Germanium crystals used for γ-ray detectors frequently exhibit slow or non-uniform lithium-ion drift. The presence of oxygen is one known cause. However, it has been found in these laboratories that in large (~ 1kg) germanium crystals grown by the Czochralski method under vacuum, the presence of a fast diffusing impurity (probably copper) also leads to variable drift. Normal, uniform drift in these crystals has been restored by using gallium-indium alloys as a getter at ~ 800°C. The method is described in detail and the effects on crystal resistivity, dislocation density and lithium drift rate are presented. Gamma-ray detectors fabricated from gettered material show high resolution characteristics.
Description
Keywords
Germanium, Crystals, Lithium
Citation
Tavendale, A. J. (1970). Restoration of lithium driftability in some vacuum-grown germanium crystals for gamma-ray detectors. (AAEC/TM575). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.