Monte-Carlo simulations reveal variable responses in perovskites under gamma radiation, suggesting implications for γ-ray detection and photovoltaics.
Lead halide perovskites, including single-cation (MAPbI3, FAPbI3, CsPbI3) and mixed-cation (Cs0.12FA0.88PbI3, Cs0.1MA0.15FA0.75PbI3) compositions, are promising for both space photovoltaics and γ-ray detection due to their tunable optoelectronic properties. However, their response to high-energy radiation remains critical for reliable operation. We performed Monte-Carlo simulations using GEANT4 to investigate photon interactions (0.1–90 MeV) with perovskites of varying composition and thickness (1 cm to 1 μm). Results indicate that heavy atoms (Pb, I) dominate photoelectric absorption and scattering, broadly similar absorbed energies and event rates across compositions. Cs-containing perovskites exhibit slightly higher absorption and ionization, whereas FA- and MA-rich compositions show reduced photoelectric and Rayleigh scattering. Layer thickness strongly influences the radiation response: ultrathin films display fewer interactions with higher per-event energy, while millimeter-scale layers achieve efficient absorption and enable pair-production events at MeV energies. The sequence of dominant processes follows the expected energy dependence: photoelectric effect at low energies, Compton and Rayleigh scattering at intermediate energies, and pair production at high energies. These findings demonstrate that perovskite γ-interaction is primarily governed by heavy-atom content, with A-site cations fine-tuning the process balance, and that device performance for detection or photovoltaics depends critically on layer thickness.
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Novoselov et al. (2025) studied this question.
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