Experimentally determined vs. Monte Carlo simulated peak-to-valley ratios for a well-characterised n-type HPGe detector

Abstract

Measurements and simulations to investigate the contributing factors to the peak-to-valley (PTV) ratio have been both experimentally determined as well as Monte Carlo simulated for a well-characterised HPGe n-type detector together with a Cs-137 gamma source encapsulated in thin polystyrene. Measurements were carried out in a low-background gamma counting facility at Lund University. The results of the PTV ratio have been compared to distinguish what components or variables in the setup that significantly influence the ratio. In addition to manufacture specifications, the detector components have been examined using planar X-ray, source scanning and computer tomography in order to determine and verify component dimensions when necessary. In spite of these efforts a discrepancy of approximately 25% for thin absorbers in the PTV ratio between measurements and calculations is observed. However, this discrepancy becomes less significant for larger absorbing layers of copper (>1mm). This indicates that it would be difficult to achieve a field calibration for in-situ gamma spectrometry using the PTV ratio that could position a Cs-137 source in soil depth shallower than corresponding 1mm layer of copper. The results also showed that when building a detector in simulations part by part, the inner dead layer, and the contact pin are of great importance for the accuracy of the PTV ratio simulations.

Keywords: Cs-137; Field gamma spectrometry; HPGe; MCNP; PTV-ratio; Peak-to-valley-ratio.