Simulation of p-type HPGe detector full-energy peak efficiency using GEANT4 Monte Carlo toolkit

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2024-02, Vol.21 (4), p.4509-4518
• Main Authors: Penabeï, S., Bongue, D., Mistura, A. B., Maleka, P., Demdah, K. M., Kwato, G. N. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; calibration; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; energy; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; geometry; Monte Carlo method; Original Paper; quantitative analysis; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-05295-9

Accurate quantitative analysis of environmental samples in laboratory settings requires knowledge of the full-energy peak (FEP) efficiency for the source-detector geometries used. However, experimental determination of this parameter may prove restrictive and time-consuming. To address this issue, a Monte Carlo method based on the GEANT4 code was developed to calculate the FEP efficiency of a Canberra coaxial p -type HPGe detector, tailored for 100 ml geometry sample configuration. This simulation was used to determine the FEP efficiency for different energy levels relevant to the analysis of environmental samples. The results obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation were compared to the experimental measurements conducted under identical simulation initialization conditions. The obtained deviations (%) between simulations and experimental measurements were reliable in most cases with a maximum error of 4.17%. The proposed model exhibits a high degree of flexibility, enabling its application to diverse geometric configuration of samples. This adaptability allows for the determination of calibration coefficients across a wide range of energy, thereby enhancing the overall precision and adaptability of the analysis process for environmental samples.