Measurement of the component of the Ge-detector response function due to escape of secondary radiation

Abstract

A method of measuring the component of the detector response function due to the escape of secondary photons and electrons from the detector active volume has been investigated. It is based on the use of two detectors that operate in coincidence. The requirement of simultaneity of recorded events in the detectors and the condition of constant energy sum eliminate almost entirely all other components of the detector response function. Results of a measurement of the escape of photons from the active volume of a Ge-detector into the solid angle of about 0.11 sr at the incident energy of 59.537 keV are given. A very clear spectrum was obtained. The results of the calculations considering all relevant single-and double-scattering processes are in good agreement on the absolute scale with the experimental values. The calculations were extended to the entire solid angle for the escape of secondary radiation of 2π.