Efficiency calibration of an HPGe detector in the 0.1–2.5 MeV energy range for Am–Be neutron source-based PGAA applications

Abstract

A 740 GBq 241Am–Be neutron source based prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA) setup in combination with a typical coaxial n-type HPGe detector (REGe) system was used to analyze light elements like H, B, C, N, etc. The absolute full energy peak (FEP) efficiencies of the shielded REGe detector for irradiation and counting geometries and for sources with different sizes (point, ampoule and cylindrical) were measured in the 0.1–2.5 MeV energy range by utilizing calibrated sources (point, liquid and solid). 4th order polynomials were fitted to the experimental data. Efficiencies in far irradiation and counting geometries are compared.