Compton suppression in BEGe detectors by digital pulse shape analysis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a digital pulse shape analysis method for BEGe detectors that significantly reduces Compton background in gamma ray spectrometry, improving peak-to-continuum ratios.

Contribution

A novel pulse shape discrimination technique based on rise time analysis for BEGe detectors that enhances Compton suppression capabilities.

Findings

Peak to Compton ratio improved by over two times for 60Co.

Cs-Peak to Co-Compton ratio increased by more than three times.

Method verified through experiments with 60Co and 137Cs sources.

Abstract

A new method of pulse shape discrimination (PSD) for BEGe detectors is developed to suppress Compton-continuum by digital pulse shape analysis (PSA), which helps reduce the Compton background level in gamma ray spectrometry. A decision parameter related to the rise time of a pulse shape was presented. The method was verified by experiments using 60Co and 137Cs sources. The result indicated that the 60Co Peak to Compton ratio and the Cs-Peak to Co-Compton ratio could be improved by more than two and three times, respectively.