Fabrication of CdZnTe strip detectors for large area arrays

A CdZnTe strip detector array with capabilities for are second imaging and spectroscopy has been built as a prototype for a space flight gamma ray burst instrument. Two dimensional orthogonal strip detectors with 100 mu m pitch have been fabricated and tested for a large area array (similar to 60 cm(2) with 36 detectors). Details for the fabrication and evaluation of the detectors will be presented. Critical issues to be addressed include fabricating metal contacts with low leakage current and with excellent wire bonding yield, achieving high yield for good strips, and surface cleaning and passivation.