High Resolution X - Gamma-Ray Spectrometry at High Counting Rates Using High Purity Germanium Detectors

Abstract

One of the limitations in achieving high energy resolution in X and gamma-ray spectrometers at high counting rates is incomplete charge collection in the germanium detector. In this paper we discuss some of the limiting factors which are relevant in detector fabrication and in the optical reset configurations in the input integrator circuit and the associated electronic processing. Experimental results demonstrate input counting rates up to 1.5 million counts per sec without any serious degradation in energy resolution.