The performance characteristics of a linear array composed of several hundred miniature spectroscopy grade CdTe detectors are described. The linear array is utilized in a X-ray security imaging system. It operates either in an energy dispersive mode to highlight certain atomic elements in the luggage or in a regular mode for obtaining only the transmission image of the luggage. The array functions in the photon counting mode and tolerates count rates as high as 106 counts/sec. The array has high quantum efficiency and good spatial resolution which result in excellent image quality. The dynamic range, the electronic noise, the energy resolution, the homogeneity of response among detectors and the image quality are presented.
