Detector

Fabrication

Materials science

Particle detector

Perovskite (structure)

Semiconductor

Inorganic chemistry

Diode

Alternative medicine

Physics

Nanotechnology

Optics

X-ray detector

Crystallography

Medicine

Chemistry

Optoelectronics

Halide

Pathology

Nature Photonics

The direct detection of high-energy radiation such as X-rays and γ-rays by semiconductors at room temperature is a challenging proposition that requires remarkably pure and nearly perfect crystals. The emergence of metal halide perovskites, defect-tolerant semiconductors, is reviving hope for new materials in this field after an almost 20 year hiatus. Metal halide perovskites, which combine exceptional optoelectronic properties, versatile chemistry and simple synthesis, are challenging traditional approaches for the development of novel semiconductors for detecting hard radiation. We discuss the relevant physical properties, promising materials, fabrication techniques and device architectures for high-performance, low-cost detectors by targeting next-generation semiconductors for radiation detection. We also present a perspective on the impact of such advances in future medical imaging applications. X-ray detectors based on solution-processed metal halide perovskites are reviewed. Promising materials, fabrication techniques and device architectures are discussed, as is the potential for medical imaging applications.

Detecting ionizing radiation using halide perovskite semiconductors processed through solution and alternative methods