The key difference

Scintillators convert radiation energy into light (indirect conversion) whilst semiconductors convert radiation energy directly into electricity (direct conversion).

The benefits of direct conversion

Due to direct conversion, semiconductors have a higher energy resolution than scintillators. This means they are optimal for taking precise energy measurements, important for applications such as quality control in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and nuclear event monitoring

Kromek's GR1 contains the semiconductor CZT, giving it a resolution of >2.5% @ 662 keV

If direct conversion is so good, why would you need a scintillator? 

Kromek's caesium iodide scintillators the SIGMA 25 and SIGMA 50 have bigger crystals than the GR1 (SIGMA 25 has a 25.4×25.4×25.4mm crystal size whereas SIGMA 50 has a 25.4×25.4×51mm)

Scintillators come into their own in applications requiring larger detector volumes and when energy resolution is less critical, such as in wide-area environmental surveys. Their higher sensitivity, due to their larger size and higher density of the material, allows them to detect lower levels of radiation more effectively

Teamwork makes the dream work 

Sometimes, it can be beneficial to use both a scintillator and semiconductor!

For example, when both are mounted to a UAV, the scintillator with its higher sensitivity is beneficial for identifying hotspots, whilst the semiconductor with its high resolution can then be used to provide a precise spectral analysis of the radioisotopes present at the hotspot. 

Are you team scintillator or team semiconductor?

Take a look at our product brochures to for our scintillator and semiconductor-based detectors to find which one is the right fit for you