New opportunities for kaonic atoms measurements from CdZnTe detectors

Abstract

We present the tests performed by the SIDDHARTA-2 collaboration at the $$\textrm{DA}\Phi \textrm{NE}$$ collider with a quasi-hemispherical CdZnTe detector. The very good room-temperature energy resolution and efficiency in a wide energy range show that this detector technology is ideal for studying radiative transitions in intermediate and heavy mass kaonic atoms. The CdZnTe detector was installed for the first time in an accelerator environment to perform tests on the background rejection capabilities, which were achieved by exploiting the SIDDHARTA-2 Luminosity Monitor. A spectrum with an $$^{241}\textrm{Am}$$ source has been acquired, with beams circulating in the main rings, and peak resolutions of 6% at 60 keV and of 2.2% at 511 keV have been achieved. The background suppression factor, which turned out to be of the order of $$\simeq 10^{5-6}$$ , opens the possibility to plan for future kaonic atom measurements with CdZnTe detectors.