A new ultra low-level HPGe activity counting setup in the Felsenkeller shallow-underground laboratory

TL;DR

A newly installed ultra low-level HPGe activity counting setup in the Felsenkeller shallow-underground lab achieves unprecedented low background rates, enabling highly sensitive gamma-ray measurements comparable to deep underground labs.

Contribution

Introduction of a novel ultra low-level HPGe counting setup with combined passive and active shielding in a shallow-underground environment.

Findings

Background rate reduced to 116±1 kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ in 40-2700 keV range

Passive shielding achieves background rates similar to deep underground labs

Active veto further reduces background by over an order of magnitude

Abstract

A new ultra low-level counting setup has been installed in the shallow-underground laboratory Felsenkeller in Dresden, Germany. It includes a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) of 163\% relative efficiency within passive and active shields. The passive shield consists of 45m rock overburden (140 meters water equivalent), 40 cm of low-activity concrete, and a lead and copper castle enclosed by an anti-radon box. The passive shielding alone is found to reduce the background rate to rates comparable to other shallow-underground laboratories. An additional active veto is given by five large plastic scintillation panels surrounding the setup. It further reduces the background rate by more than one order of magnitude down to 116$\pm$1 kg$^{-1}$ d$^{-1}$ in an energy interval of 40-2700 keV. This low background rate is unprecedented for shallow-underground laboratories and close to deep underground laboratories.