Developments in large gamma-ray detector arrays

Gamma-ray spectroscopy was revolutionized with the introduction of high energy-resolution semiconductor germanium (Ge) detectors in the early 1960s. This led to the large increase in sensitivity realized by today's arrays of Compton-suppressed Ge detectors. A still larger increase in sensitivity is expected by implementing the new concept of tracking. A tracking array consists of highly segmented Ge detectors (that can cover the full 4π solid-angle) in which γ rays will be identified by measuring and tracking every γ ray interaction. This article reviews the physics motivation for such detectors and the development of the new technologies involved. The concept of tracking is explained using the example of a proposed array called γ-ray energy tracking array (GRETA).