Scintielectronic detector with improved energy resolution approaching the ideal limit

Development prospects are considered for a detector of scintillator-photodiode (SPD) type with improved energy resolution approaching the values of R=1-2%. Theoretical analysis has been carried out for principal contributions affecting the total resolution of a detector, with their theoretical and physical limits determined. New ways are proposed to optimize the statistical contribution of the detector and the intrinsic scintillator resolution. A special role of the intrinsic resolution is outlined as the determining factor for spectrometric possibilities of detector with improved resolution. It is noted that improvement of the SPD resolution is determined by the following factors: high conversion efficiency of the scintillator (up to 20-30%); preparation of highly uniform transparent scintillators of high atomic number and intrinsic luminescence (like CWO, PWO); optimum spectral-optical matching of components of the SPD pair ("red" scintillators like ZnSe(Te) are required); stochastic character of light beam mixing in nonstandard (no cylindrical or rectangular) geometry. Analysis is carried out for three main ranges of ionized radiations detected by SPD system (low-keV, middle-MeV, and high-GeV energies).