gamma detector / X-ray

The conventional coaxial germanium detector is often referred to as Pure Ge, HPGe, Intrinsic Ge, or Hyperpure Ge. Regardless of the superlative used, the detector is basically a cylinder of germanium with an n-type contact on the outer surface, and a p-type contact on the surface of an axial well. The germanium has a net impurity level of around 1010 atoms/cc so that with moderate reverse bias, the entire volume between the electrodes is depleted, and an electric field extends across this active region. Photon interaction within this region produces charge carriers which are swept by the electric field to their collecting electrodes, where a charge sensitive preamplifier converts this charge into a voltage pulse proportional to the energy deposited in the detector.

The n and p contacts, or electrodes, are typically diffused lithium and implanted boron respectively. The outer n-type diffused lithium contact is about 0.5 mm thick. The inner contact is about 0.3 µm thick. A surface barrier may be substituted for the implanted boron with equal results.

The CANBERRA Coaxial Ge detector can be shipped and stored without cooling. However, long term stability is best preserved by keeping the detector cold. Like all germanium detectors, it must be cooled when it is used to avoid excessive thermally-generated leakage current. The non-perishable nature of this detector widens the application of Ge spectrometers to include field use of portable spectrometers.