All-Vacuum-Deposited Perovskite X-ray Detector with a Record-High Self-Powered Sensitivity of 1.2 C Gy^-1 cm^-3

Highly sensitive X-ray detection is crucial in, for example, medical imaging and secure inspection. Halide perovskite X-ray detectors are promising candidates for detecting highly energetic radiation. In this report, we describe vacuum-deposited Cs-based perovskite X-ray detectors possessing a p-i-n architecture. Because of the built-in potential of the p-i-n structure, these perovskite X-ray detectors were capable of efficient charge collection and displayed an exceptionally high X-ray sensitivity (1.2 C Gy_air^-1 cm^-3) under self-powered, zero-bias conditions. We ascribe the outstanding X-ray sensitivity of the vacuum-deposited CsPbI₂Br devices to their prominent charge carrier mobility. Moreover, these devices functioned with a lowest detection limit of 25.69 nGy_air s^-1 and possessed excellent stability after exposure to over 3000 times the total dose of a chest X-ray image. For comparison, we also prepared traditional spin-coated CH₃NH₃-based perovskite devices having a similar device architecture. Their volume sensitivity was only one-fifth of that of the vacuum-deposited CsPbI₂Br devices. Thus, all-vacuum deposition appears to be a new strategy for developing perovskite X-ray detectors; with a high practical deposition rate, a balance can be reached between the thickness of the absorbing layer and the fabrication time.