Encapsulation of germanium detectors for space flight

A hermetic enclosure for a high-purity germanium detector was developed as part of the detector assembly for the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer flown on the WIND satellite. High G forces during launch (/spl sim/100 G), long term stability (lifetime of at least 5 years), passive cooling and low ene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on nuclear science 1996-06, Vol.43 (3), p.1463-1466
Main Authors: Cork, C.P., Landis, D.A., Luke, P.N., Madden, N.W., Malone, D.F., Pehl, R.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assembly
Cooling
Encapsulation
Gamma ray detection
Gamma ray detectors
Germanium
Nitrogen
Satellites
Spectroscopy
Stability
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Summary:A hermetic enclosure for a high-purity germanium detector was developed as part of the detector assembly for the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer flown on the WIND satellite. High G forces during launch (/spl sim/100 G), long term stability (lifetime of at least 5 years), passive cooling and low energy photon detection were critical parameters addressed. These design parameters dictated rigid containment of the detector and the selection of enclosure materials, hermetic high voltage and signal feedthroughs, electrical contacts to the detector and enclosure seals. Sealing of the germanium detector within a valveless hermetic enclosure was achieved with a custom vacuum bell-jar press equipped with a vacuum isolated hydraulic ram. Both vacuum and nitrogen gas filled encapsulations (pressurized to 2 atmospheres) were examined; nitrogen gas filled encapsulations were more rugged.
ISSN:0018-9499
1558-1578
DOI:10.1109/23.507084