Broad Energy Germanium Detector Research Articles

Isotopically modified Ge detectors for GERDA: from production to operation

The GERDA experiment searches for the neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge using high-purity germanium detectors made of material enriched in 76Ge. For Phase II of the experiment a sensitivity for the half life T1/20ν ∼ 2·1026 yr is envisioned. Modified Broad Energy Germanium detectors (BEGe) with thick n+ electrodes provide the capability to efficiently identify and reject background events, while keeping a large acceptance for the 0νββ-decay signal through novel pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) techniques. The viability of producing thick-window BEGe-type detectors for the GERDA experiment is demonstrated by testing all the production steps from the procurement of isotopically modified germanium up to working BEGe detectors. Comprehensive testing of the spectroscopic as well as PSD performance of the GERDA Phase II prototype BEGe detectors proved that the properties of these detectors are identical to those produced previously from natural germanium material following the standard production line of the manufacturer. Furthermore, the production of BEGe detectors from a limited amount of isotopically modified germanium served to optimize the production, in order to maximize the overall detector mass yield. The results of this test campaign provided direct input for the subsequent production of the enriched germanium detectors.

Development of a stochastic detection efficiency calibration procedure for studying collimation effects on a broad energy germanium detector

ISPRA, the Italian nuclear safety regulatory body, has started a measurement campaign for validating the performances of in situ gamma-ray spectrometry based on BEGe detectors and ISOCS software. The goal of the validation program is to verify if the mathematical algorithms used by Canberra to account for collimation effects of HpGe detectors continue to work well also for BEGe detectors. This has required the development of a calibration methodology, based on MCNPX code, which, by avoiding any mathematical algorithm utilization, is purely stochastic.Experimental results obtained by such a new procedure, were generally found to be 5% of the reference values. While, in the case of gamma-ray energies greater than 400keV and small angles collimation, results given by ISOCS software produced larger deviations, around 20%. This work presents a detailed description of the simulation procedure and of the first experimental results.

Characterization of BEGe detectors in the HADES underground laboratory

This paper describes the characterization of newly produced Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors, enriched in the isotope 76Ge. These detectors have been produced in the frame of the GERDA experiment. The aim of the characterization campaign consists in the determination of all the important operational parameters (active volume, dead layer thickness and uniformity, energy resolution, detector stability in time, quality of pulse shape discrimination). A protocol test procedure and devoted set-ups, partially automated, have been developed in view of the large number (∼25) of BEGe's detectors to be tested. The characterization is carried out in the HADES underground laboratory, located 225m below ground (∼500m water equivalent) in Mol, Belgium.

Characterization of a broad energy germanium detector andapplication to neutrinoless double beta decay search in 76Ge

The performance of a 630 g commercial broad energy germanium (BEGe) detector has been systematically investigated. Energy resolution, linearity, stability vs. high-voltage (HV) bias, thickness and uniformity of dead layers have been measured and found to be excellent.Special attention has been dedicated to the study of the detector response as a function of bias HV. The recommended bias voltage being 3500 V, the detector shows a peculiar behavior for biases around 2000 V: in a narrow range of about 100 V the charge collection is strongly reduced. The detector seems to be composed by two parts: a small volume around the HV contact where charges are efficiently collected as at higher voltage, and a large volume where charges are poorly collected. A qualitative explanation of this behavior is presented. However such a behavior does not affect the expected performance in the normal working conditions, being the detector operated at much higher bias HV than the anomalous region.An event-by-event pulse shape analysis based on A/E (maximum amplitude of the current pulse over the total energy released in the detector) has been applied to events in different energy regions and found very effective in rejecting non localized events. In conclusion, BEGe detectors are excellent candidates for the second phase of GERDA, an experiment devoted to neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge.

Signal modeling of high-purity Ge detectors with a small read-out electrode and application to neutrinoless double beta decay search in Ge-76

The GERDA experiment searches for the neutrinoless double beta decay of76Ge using high-purity germanium detectors enriched in76Ge. The analysis of the signal time structure provides a powerfultool to identify neutrinoless double beta decay events and to discriminate themfrom gamma-ray induced backgrounds. Enhanced pulse shape discriminationcapabilities of Broad Energy Germanium detectors with a small read-outelectrode have been recently reported. This paper describes the full simulationof the response of such a detector, including the Monte Carlo modeling ofradiation interaction and subsequent signal shape calculation. A pulse shapediscrimination method based on the ratio between the maximum current signalamplitude and the event energy applied to the simulated data shows quantitativeagreement with the experimental data acquired with calibration sources. Thesimulation has been used to study the survival probabilities of the decays whichoccur inside the detector volume and are difficult to assess experimentally.Such internal decay events are produced by the cosmogenic radio-isotopes68Ge and 60Co and the neutrinoless double beta decay of76Ge. Fixing the experimental acceptance of the double escape peakof the 2.614 MeV photon to 90%, the estimated survival probabilitiesat Qββ = 2.039 MeV are (86±3)% for 76Geneutrinoless double beta decays, (4.5±0.3)% for the 68Gedaughter 68Ga, and (0.9+0.4−0.2)% for 60Codecays.

Calibration of an in-situ BEGe detector using semi-empirical and Monte Carlo techniques

In the case of a nuclear or radiological accident a rapid estimation of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the potential radioactive pollution is needed. For aerial releases the radioactive pollutants are finally deposited on the ground forming a surface source. In this case, in-situ γ-ray spectrometry is a powerful tool for the determination of ground pollution. In this work, the procedure followed at the Nuclear Engineering Department of the National Technical University of Athens (NED-NTUA) for the calibration of an in-situ Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector, for the determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides deposited on the ground surface, is presented. BEGe detectors due to their technical characteristics are suitable for the analysis of photons in a wide energy region. Two different techniques were applied for the full-energy peak efficiency calibration of the BEGe detector in the energy region 60-1600 keV: Full-energy peak efficiencies determined using the two methods agree within statistical uncertainties.

Characterisation of a Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector

Characterisation of Germanium detectors used for gamma-ray tracking or medical imaging is one of the current goals in the Nuclear physics community. Good knowledge of detector response to different gamma radiations is needed for this purpose. In order to develop this task, Pulse Shape Analysis (PSA) techniques have been developed for different detector geometries or setups. In this work, we present the results of the application of PSA for a Canberra Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector. This detector was scanned across its front and bottom face using a fully digital data acquisition system; allowing to record detector charge pulse shapes from well defined positions with collimated sources of 241Am, 22Na and 137Cs. With the study of the data acquired, characteristics of the inner detector geometry like crystal limits or positions of contact and isolate can be found, as well as the direction of the axes for the Germanium crystal.

A Pulse Shape Analysis technique for the MAJORANA experiment

In order to achieve background count rates sufficiently low so as to allow the observation of rare events such as neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay, background suppression techniques are routinely employed. In this paper we present details of a novel Pulse Shape Analysis algorithm, which allows single-site events such as 0νββ decay to be distinguished from multi-site background events in germanium detectors. The algorithm, which is based on the event-by-event χ 2 fitting of experimental signals to a basis data set of unique single-site pulse shapes, has been developed through simulation studies and tested experimentally using a Broad Energy Germanium detector. It is found experimentally that the technique is able to successfully identify and reject 99% of multi-site events in the single escape peak associated with the gamma decay of 208Tl, whilst maintaining a survival probability of 98% for neutrinoless double-beta-decay-like double escape peak events.

Operation and performance of a bare broad-energy germanium detector in liquid argon

The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, will search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge by operating bare high-purity germanium detectors, enriched in 76Ge, in liquid argon. To reduce the background to the required level below 10−3 cts/(keV·kg·y), it is necessary to employ active background-suppression techniques. Detectors based on the design of commercially available Broad-Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector are one of the two technologies included in research and development for the second phase of GERDA. BEGe detectors feature an enhanced capability to distinguish between an interaction of an electron from beta-decay and an interaction of a multiple-scattered photon inside the detector, via pulse-shape analysis. A GERDA Phase II prototype BEGe detector mounted in a low-mass holder was operated bare for the first time in liquid argon. The detector showed stable performance over more than one month, with an energy resolution of 1.9 keV (FWHM) at 1.3 MeV, and a low leakage current of ⩽ 20 pA. Periodic pulse-shape analysis checks were performed and the results are equal to those obtained with the same detector in a vacuum cryostat.

Astroparticle physics with a customized low-background broad energy Germanium detector

The MAJORANA Collaboration is building the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, a 60 kg array of high purity germanium detectors housed in an ultra-low background shield at the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead, SD. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge while demonstrating the feasibility of a tonne-scale experiment. It may also carry out a dark matter search in the 1-10 GeV/c^2 mass range. We have found that customized Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors produced by Canberra have several desirable features for a neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment, including low electronic noise, excellent pulse shape analysis capabilities, and simple fabrication. We have deployed a customized BEGe, the MAJORANA Low-Background BEGe at Kimballton (MALBEK), in a low-background cryostat and shield at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility in Virginia. This paper will focus on the detector characteristics and measurements that can be performed with such a radiation detector in a low-background environment.

Parameter optimization of a planar BEGe detector using Monte Carlo simulations

This work reports on the use of three state-of-the-art Monte Carlo codes (MCNPX, PENELOPE, FLUKA) in the efficiency calibration of a Broad-Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector. Initial discrepancies found between the experimental and computational efficiency values are related to the poor knowledge of some physical parameters of the detector (dead-layers, crystal dimensions, etc.). As a consequence, a sensitivity analysis was carried out. Each parameter was systematically analyzed, and an accurate model of the detector was determined. The obtained results are consistent, allowing this model to be used in computational efficiency calibrations of the equipment at stake.

Pulse shape discrimination studies with a Broad-Energy Germaniumdetector for signal identification and background suppression in theGERDA double beta decay experiment

First studies of event discriminationwith a Broad-Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector are presented. A novelpulse shape method, exploiting the characteristic electrical fielddistribution inside BEGe detectors, allows to identify efficientlysingle-site events and to reject multi-site events. The first aretypical for neutrinoless double beta decays(0νββ) and the latter for backgrounds fromgamma-ray interactions. The obtained survival probabilities ofbackgrounds at energies close toQββ(76Ge) = 2039 keVare (0.93 ± 0.08)% for events from 60Co,(21 ± 3)% from 226Ra and (40 ± 2)%from 228Th. This background suppression is achievedwith (89 ± 1)% acceptance of 228Th doubleescape events, which are dominated by single site interactions.Approximately equal acceptance is expected for0νββ-decay events. Collimated beam and Comptoncoincidence measurements demonstrate that the discrimination is largelyindependent of the interaction location inside the crystal andvalidate the pulse-shape cut in the energy range ofQββ. The applicationof BEGe detectors in the GERDA and the Majorana double beta decayexperiments is under study.

Challenges and techniques to effectively characterize the efficiency of broad-energy germanium detectors at energies less than 45 keV

With the now common availability of large-volume thin-window germanium detectors, it is possible to routinely measure very low energy (<45 keV) gamma and X-rays while maintaining good sensitivity for high-energy gamma rays. The effective calibration of such detectors down to these low energies is often problematic or not possible because of the lack of calibrated sources or knowledge of the source geometry. New methods have been recently developed that extend Canberra’s ISOCS/LabSOCS mathematical efficiency computation methods down to energies as low as 10 keV. Key to these developments is the capability to characterize the efficiency versus spatial location of a detector at the factory and thus eliminate the requirement to have “in the field” low-energy source standards. In this paper, the challenges for performing reliable efficiency characterizations below 45 keV and techniques developed to overcome these challenges are discussed. Response characterization results are presented for various types of low-energy and broad-energy detectors manufactured by Canberra.

Application of Monte Carlo calculation and OEDIPE software for virtual calibration of an in vivo counting system

OEDIPE (a French acronym standing for 'Tool for Personalized Internal Dose Assessment'), developed by IRSN, is used to perform virtual calibration of a real in vivo counting system. The system, installed recently at Le Vésinet, consists of four Broad Energy germanium detectors. CT images of Livermore torso phantom are used to create a voxel phantom after segmentation using Dosigray software. Virtual calibration using the voxel phantom was validated by the comparison of peak efficiencies between Monte Carlo calculation and phantom experiments using lung sources 152Eu and 241Am at different chest wall thickness (CWT = 19, 25, 30, 43 mm). The comparison between virtual calibration and physical phantom experiments shows that the relative deviations are within +/- 10% in the energy range of 59.5-1408 keV, and within +/- 30% for 17.5 keV photons.

Monte Carlo efficiency transfer method for full energy peak efficiency calibration of three type HPGe detectors: A coaxial N-type, a coaxial P-type and four BEGe detectors

Monte Carlo efficiency transfer method was used to determine full energy peak efficiency of three type high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors: a coaxial N-type, a coaxial P-type and four broad energy germanium detectors (BEGe). The comparisons between calculations and point source experiments showed that the relative deviations were mostly within ±5% for BEGe detectors in the energy range 13.9–1332 keV, within ±3% for the coaxial N-type detector in the energy range 17.5–662 keV, and within ±3% for the coaxial P-type detector in the energy range 59.5–1332 keV, respectively. An evaluation of Monte Carlo efficiency transfer method at different source-to-detector geometry configurations indicates that peak efficiency may be underestimated when point sources are placed nearer than the reference position to detector on the detector axis, and may be overestimated when point sources are placed far from the detector axis, especially for low-energy photons. Some discussions about direct Monte Carlo calculation method and Monte Carlo efficiency transfer method for full-energy peak efficiency calculation are also presented in this paper.

Improved detector response characterization method in ISOCS and LabSOCS

The In-Situ Object Calibration Software (ISOCS) and the Laboratory Sourceless Calibration Software (LabSOCS) developed and patented by Canberra Industries have found widespread use in the gamma spectrometry community. Using the ISOCS methodology, one can determine the full energy peak efficiencies of a Germanium detector in the 45 keV - 7 MeV energy range, for practically any source matrix and geometry. The underlying mathematical techniques used in ISOCS (and LabSOCS) have undergone significant improvements and enhancements since their first release in 1996. One of these improvements is a spatial response characterization technique that is capable of handling the large variations in efficiency that occurs within a small region. The technique has been in use in ISOCS and LabSOCS releases since 1999, and has significantly improved the overall quality of the close-in and off-axis response characterization for HPGe detectors, especially for Canberra's Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors. In this method, the detector response is characterized by creating a set of fine spatial efficiency grids at 15 energies in the 45 keV - 7 MeV range. The spatial grids are created in (r,θ) space about the detector, with the radius r varying from 0 to 500 meters, and the angle θ varying from 0 to π. The reference efficiencies for creating the spatial grids are determined from MCNP calculations using a validated detector model. Once the efficiency grids are created, the detector response can be determined at any arbitrary point within a sphere of 500-meter radius, and at any arbitrary energy within the specified range. Results are presented highlighting the improved performance achieved using the gridding methodology.

An evaluation of germanium detectors employed for the measurement of radionuclides deposited in lungs using an experimental and Monte Carlo approach.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of an advanced design broad energy germanium detector for the in vivo measurement of radionuclides in lungs. Relative counting efficiency, background, and sensitivity for lung counting arrays consisting of four, three, and two 80-mm-diameter by 20-mm-thick (80 x 20 mm) broad energy germanium detectors were simulated by collecting spectra with the single 80 x 20 mm broad energy germanium at each of four locations over a humanoid torso phantom. Regions of interest were evaluated for photon energies ranging from 17 to 1,500 keV. The 80 x 20 mm detector arrays were then benchmarked against a standard array of four 70-mm-diameter by 20-mm-thick (70 x 20 mm) broad energy germanium detectors. Since testing new equipment can be an expensive and time consuming process, an alternative approach, using Monte Carlo simulations instead of physical measurements, was also evaluated and compared to experimental data. With this approach, counting efficiency and minimum detectable amount were simulated for two sizes of germanium detectors (70 mm and 80 mm diameter) at four different crystal thicknesses (15, 20, 25, and 30 mm). For the experimental measurements, arrays consisting of three and four 80 x 20 mm broad energy germanium detectors resulted in an increase in counting efficiencies, relative to the standard array, at all photon energies. The greatest relative increase was observed for the four-detector array (24-35%). In contrast, counting efficiency decreased, relative to the standard array, by 24-28% with a two-detector array. Arrays consisting of two and three 80 x 20 mm broad energy germanium detectors resulted in decreased relative background at all photon energies, with the exception of the 946 keV photon for the three-detector array. The most significant decrease in background occurred with the two-detector array (28 to 40%), while background was increased by 18-43% for the four-detector array. Arrays consisting of three and four 80 x 20 mm broad energy germanium detectors resulted in increased relative sensitivity at all photon energies. The three-detector array provided the greatest sensitivity at photon energies below 344 keV. The four-detector array provided slightly better measurement sensitivity at photon energies greater than 344 keV. The two 80 x 20 mm detector array provided sensitivity unexpectedly comparable to the standard array. Monte Carlo predictions on how size affects counting efficiency and minimum detectable amount agreed well with the experimental results. From the Monte Carlo predictions, the effect of detector thickness on counting efficiency was unimportant at photon energies up to 60 keV and independent of detector diameter. At higher photon energies for both detector diameters, the counting efficiency decreased as the thickness decreased. The values of minimum detectable amount for the 70-mm and 80-mm diameter detectors did not differ by more than 15% at 17 keV or 20% at 60 keV when compared to detectors of equivalent thickness. Minimum detectable amount increased slightly at 17 keV and rose by approximately 52% at 660 keV, with decreases in thickness from 30 mm to 15 mm.