Contribution of a germanium detector in mobile gamma-ray spectrometry. Spectral analysis and performance

Abstract

The sensitivity of the germanium semi-conductor detector is 30 times lower than that of the sodium iodide (NaI) detectors frequently used in airborne spectrometry. Its energy resolution however, is 20 times better, giving more accurate identification of radionuclides, especially when complex spectra are involved. The use of the germanium detector in mobile gamma-ray spectrometry provides a large amount of qualitative and quantitative information. In post-accident situations a germanium detector will be sufficient, and should therefore be used in preference to a NaI detector.An algorithm for detecting the total absorption peaks by studying the variations in the spectral profile of germanium gamma-ray spectra has been developed at the CEA. The use of digital filters that take into account the characteristics of the absorption peaks reduces the statistical fluctuations, making possible detection based on the analysis of the first and second derivatives. The absorption peak is then estimated by subtracting the background noise modelled in the detection window. This method of analysis offers the advantage of not requiring prior knowledge of the number or nature of the radionuclides to be detected. A study has been carried out to assess the specific performances of this detection software in different situations: average background noise in France and detection of artificial sources with varying activity levels.This analysis showed that the performance of our detection algorithm is very close to the theoretical detection limits, for both natural and artificial radionuclides. This algorithm is therefore well suited to the germanium type of spectral profile and to low count rates.