Neutron induced activity in natural and enriched Ge-70 detectors
(1997) Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment — Vol. 396, n° 3, p. 374-382 (1997)
Files
pdfdocument.pdf
Restricted Access - Adobe PDF
- 831.3 KB
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- The results of irradiations of isotopically enriched and natural Ge detectors with a neutron beam are presented. The analysis of the gamma-ray lines generated by decay of neutron induced unstable nuclei have provided us with a direct measurement of relevant interaction cross sections. Within a factor of 2, measurements and predictions are in good agreement. These results have important implications for the instrumental background in astrophysical gamma-ray spectrometers using germanium detectors, We confirm the reduction of the beta-background component, which dominates the continuum background in the 0.1-1 MeV energy range, using Ge-70 enriched detectors. We clearly identify beta(+) decays inside the detector as a significant source of continuum background in the 1-4 MeV energy range, This component is about 2 times more intense in Ge-70 enriched detectors than in natural ones. This is mainly due to the enhanced yield of Ge-69 and Ga-68 isotopes. The choice of either natural or Ge-70 enriched as optimum detector material depends on the energies of astrophysical interest. Detectors made of enriched Ge-70 are more appropriate for studies at energies below 1 MeV. For higher energies natural germanium is slightly better. The possibility of rejecting most of beta-background component by applying alternative analysis techniques makes natural Ge an appropriate material for future gamma-ray spectrometers.
- Affiliations
Citations
Naya, J., Jean, P., Albernhe, F., Barthelmy, S., Bartlett, L., Borrel, V., Cordier, B., Gehrels, N., Lavigne, J., Leleux, P., Parsons, A., Teegarden, B., Tueller, J., Vedrenne, G., & vonBallmoos, P. (1997). Neutron induced activity in natural and enriched Ge-70 detectors. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment, 396(3), 374-382. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(97)00799-7 (Original work published 1997)