Optimization of time and energy resolution at high count rates with a large volume coaxial high purity germanium detector

Abstract

Timing and energy resolution verses count rate studies were performed using a 50% relative efficiency, cylindrical, co-axial High Purity Germanium Detector (HPGe). In the search for chemical agents, explosives or illicit drugs using neutrons as a probe, it can be beneficial to trade off some of the excellent HPGe energy resolution for better timing resolution on the gamma ray signal. We have measured timing resolutions (sigma) of better than 2.5 ns for rates up to 125 kHz with measured energy resolutions (FWHM) of 6 KeV at a gamma ray energy of 1.17 MeV.