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The development of a segmented N-type germanium detector, and its application to astronomical gamma-ray spectroscopy

Conference · · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6853486
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Extensive calculations and simulations have shown that the instrumental background in a coaxial germanium gamma-ray detector flown at balloon altitudes or in space, can be substantially reduced by segmenting the outer contact. The contact is divided into horizontal strips around the side of the detector, giving it many characteristics similar to those of a stack of planar detectors. By choosing different segment coincidence requirements in different energy ranges, one can obtain a factor of similar to 2 increase in sensitivity to spectral lines between 70 keV and 1 MeV, compared with an unsegmented detector. The reverse electrode configuration (using n-type germanium), with the p contact outside, is preferred for this application due to its thin dead layer and resistance to radiation damage in space. A small two-segment n-type coaxial detector has been developed and tested. To our knowledge, this is the first n-type germanium coaxial detector to be successfully made with a segmented cathode. Plans are to use the experience gained from the development of this prototype detector to contruct a large multi-segment device.

Research Organization:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MO 20771
OSTI ID:
6853486
Report Number(s):
CONF-831015-
Journal Information:
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 31:1; ISSN IETNA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

440103* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ALTITUDE
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONFIGURATION
COSMIC PHOTONS
COSMIC RADIATION
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
GE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
JUNCTIONS
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 10-100
KEV RANGE 100-1000
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
P-N JUNCTIONS
PHOTONS
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SENSITIVITY
SIMULATION
SPACE
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
SPECTROSCOPY