Germanium-Based Detectors for Gamma-Ray Imaging andSpectroscopy

Journal Article · Fri Oct 13 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research SectionA

OSTI ID:927372

Amman, Mark; Luke, Paul N; Boggs, Steven E

Germanium-based detectors are the standard technology usedfor gamma-ray spectroscopy when high efficiency and excellent energyresolution are desired. By dividing the electrical contacts on thesedetectors into segments, the locations of the gamma-ray interactionevents within the detectors can be determined as well as the depositedenergies. This enables simultaneous gamma-ray imaging and spectroscopyand leads to applications in the areas of astronomy, nuclear physics,environmental remediation, nuclear nonproliferation, and homelandsecurity. Producing the fine-pitched electrode segmentation oftenrequired for imaging has been problematic in the past. To address thisissue, we have developed an amorphous-semiconductor contact technology.Using this technology, fully passivated detectors with closely spacedcontacts can be produced using a simple fabrication process. The currentstate of the amorphous-semiconductor contact technology and thechallenges that remain will be given in this paper.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director, Office of Science; National Aeronautics andSpace Administration
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 927372
• Report Number(s): LBNL--61412-JArt.; BnR: 400409900
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research SectionA, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research SectionA Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 579
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ASTRONOMY
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRODES
ENERGY RESOLUTION
FABRICATION
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
PROLIFERATION
SECURITY
SPECTROSCOPY
gamma-ray imaging gamma-ray spectroscopy germanium detectororthogonal strip position sensing