Characterization of a germanium detector

In cooperation with Department 6.2 (Dosimetry for Radiation Therapy and Diagnostic Radiology), a new germanium detector was fully characterized. To this end, the detector’s active diameter was measured, and the detection probability was determined using nuclide spectra. This data was used to develop a geometry model of the germanium crystal, which in turn was the basis for computing the detector’s response matrix using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation package. The figure shows the response matrix of the germanium detector for photon energies up to 420 keV. After the detector had been successfully characterized, it was used to measure the photon spectra of the 120 kV and 400 kV X‑ray facilities at Department 6.3 (Radiation Protection Dosimetry).

Figure: Response matrix of the germanium detector for photon energies up to 420 keV.

Contact

G. Hilgers, Department 6.3, Working Group 6.31