Comparison of Modeled and Measured Performance of a GSO Crystal as Gamma Detector

TL;DR

This paper compares modeled and measured responses of a GSO crystal gamma detector, validating simulations against experimental data for different photon energies, aiding in detector calibration and performance understanding.

Contribution

It presents a detailed comparison of GEANT4 simulations with experimental measurements of a GSO crystal detector's response to gamma rays.

Findings

Simulations closely match measured spectra for photon energies up to 200 MeV.

The detector response modeling is validated for use in polarization measurements.

The study enhances understanding of GSO crystal performance as a gamma detector.

Abstract

We have modeled, tested, and installed a large, cerium-activated Gd2SiO5 crystal scintillator for use as a detector of gamma rays. We present the measured detector response to two types of incident photons: nearly monochromatic photons up to 40 MeV, and photons from a continuous Compton backscattering spectrum up to 200 MeV. Our GEANT4 simulations, developed to determine the analyzing power of the Compton polarimeter in Hall A of Jefferson Lab, reproduce the measured spectra well.