Response of germanium detectors for high-energy $\gamma$-rays by $^{27}$Al(p, $\gamma$)$^{28}$Si at Ep=992 keV

TL;DR

This study assesses germanium detectors' performance for high-energy gamma rays using a specific nuclear resonance, establishing calibration standards up to 10.8 MeV with high energy accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a new calibration method for germanium detectors at high energies using the $^{27}$Al(p, $ ext{γ}$)$^{28}$Si resonance, providing reliable standards.

Findings

Energy calibration function up to 10.8 MeV established

Energy accuracy achieved at 0.3 keV

Reliable high-energy gamma-ray standards developed

Abstract

The performance of germanium detectors for high-energy $\gamma$-rays was evaluated using a 992-keV resonance in the $^{27}$Al(p, $\gamma$)$^{27}$Si reaction. The measurement was conducted at the RIKEN tandem accelerator. The energy of the excited state from the resonance was evaluated as 12540.7(2) keV. Using newly evaluated excitation energy, an energy calibration function and the photo-peak efficiency of Ge detectors up to 10.8-MeV photon were deduced. The energy accuracy is achieved at 0.3 keV for the overall energy region. This reaction provides reliable energy and efficiency standards for high-energy $\gamma$ rays.