Semiconductor detectors have become the main type of
detector for gamma spectroscopy but there are still circumstances where
the scintillation detector is used e.g. where there is limited space.
Hence, scintillation detectors should still be considered and the
advantages of each should be weighed up. The table below compares both
types of detectors:
| Scintillation |
Semiconductor |
| Older |
|
| Cheaper (×10) |
|
| More efficient (×10) |
|
| Larger volumes |
|
| Room temp. operation |
Low temp (77 K) |
| Large temp. stability |
Insensitive to
temperature |
| Very sensitive to bias
voltage |
Insensitive to bias
voltage |
| Poor energy resolution
(~ 9%) |
Good energy resolution
(~ 0.15%) |
|
|
