Precise determination of HPGe detector efficiency for gamma spectrometry measurements of environmental samples with variable geometry and density

Barrera Manuel; Casas-Ruiz Melquiades; Alonso José J.; Vidal Juan

doi:10.1515/nuka-2017-0007

Nukleonika (Mar 2017)

Precise determination of HPGe detector efficiency for gamma spectrometry measurements of environmental samples with variable geometry and density

Barrera Manuel,
Casas-Ruiz Melquiades,
Alonso José J.,
Vidal Juan

Affiliations

Barrera Manuel: Group of Environmental Radioactivity, Applied Physics Department, CEIMAR, University of Cadiz, Avda. Rep. Saharaui s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain, Tel.: +34 956 483 419, Fax: +34 956 015 10
Casas-Ruiz Melquiades: Group of Environmental Radioactivity, Applied Physics Department, CEIMAR, University of Cadiz, Avda. Rep. Saharaui s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain, Tel.: +34 956 483 419, Fax: +34 956 015 10
Alonso José J.: Group of Environmental Radioactivity, Applied Physics Department, CEIMAR, University of Cadiz, Avda. Rep. Saharaui s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain, Tel.: +34 956 483 419, Fax: +34 956 015 10
Vidal Juan: Group of Environmental Radioactivity, Applied Physics Department, CEIMAR, University of Cadiz, Avda. Rep. Saharaui s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cádiz, Spain, Tel.: +34 956 483 419, Fax: +34 956 015 10

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/nuka-2017-0007
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 62, no. 1
pp. 47 – 59

Abstract

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A methodology to determine the full energy peak efficiency (FEPE) for precise gamma spectrometry measurements of environmental samples with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, valid when this efficiency depends on the energy of the radiation E, the height of the cylindrical sample H, and its density ρ, is introduced. The methodology consists of an initial calibration as a function of E and H and the application of a self-attenuation factor, depending on the density of the sample ρ, in order to correct for the different attenuation of the generic sample in relation to the measured standard. The obtained efficiency can be used in the whole range of interest studied, E = 120–2000 keV, H = 1–5 cm, and ρ = 0.8–1.7 g/cm3, being its uncertainty below 5%. The efficiency has been checked by the measurement of standards, resulting in a good agreement between experimental and expected activities. The described methodology can be extended to similar situations when samples show geometric and compaction differences.

Published in Nukleonika

ISSN: 0029-5922 (Print); 1508-5791 (Online)
Publisher: Sciendo
Country of publisher: Poland
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://sciendo.com/journal/NUKA

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