Recent advances in γ- and X-ray spectrometry by means of mercuric iodide detectors

Recent advances in the field of HgI2 nuclear detectors are reviewed. The main limitations of such detectors (energy range, energy resolution, stability) are discussed in view of a critical comparison between the possibilities of the material and the performance of currently available detectors. Typical results are reported to illustrate the present possibilities of these devices. Influence of the base material characteristics on the detection properties is discussed with special attention focused on trapping and polarization effects. The future evolution of HgI2 detectors and the ways to further improve the results are finally envisaged with emphasis given to low energy X- and γ-ray spectrometry and imaging.