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Title: A Low-Noise Germanium Ionization Spectrometer for Low-Background Science

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

Recent progress on the development of very low energy threshold high purity germanium ionization spectrometers has produced an instrument of 1.2 kg mass and excellent noise performance. The detector was installed in a low-background cryostat intended for use in a low mass, WIMP dark matter direct detection search. The integrated detector and low background cryostat achieved noise performance of 98 eV full-width half-maximum of an input electronic pulse generator peak and gamma-ray energy resolution of 1.9 keV full-width half-maximum at the 60Co gamma-ray energy of 1332 keV. This Transaction reports the thermal characterization of the low-background cryostat, specifications of the newly prepared 1.2 kg p-type point contact germanium detector, and the ionization spectroscopy – energy resolution and energy threshold – performance of the integrated system.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1344645
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-116069
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 63, Issue 6; ISSN 0018-9499
Publisher:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English