The main objective of this work is to produce an optimal modeling for our aged Planar-HPGe detector using Monte Carlo method (MC). That optimization included the analysis of the germanium dead (inactive) layer thickness for our old detection system (planar-HPGe detector). DL is one of the important parameters needed in order to obtain the smallest discrepancy between simulated and experimental measurements of detector efficiency. Also, precise determination of 235U enrichment for UO2 samples which is necessary for purposes of nuclear materials verification in the field of nuclear safeguards.
The thickness of Germanium dead layer (DL) can be vary by time as it is not well known due to the existence of a transition zone where photons are strongly attenuated and absorbed, that cannot contribute to the total photon energy absorption which causes a significant decrease in efficiency. Therefore, using data provided by manufacturers since long years (manufacture date) in the detector simulation model is not convenient. As a result, some strong discrepancies appear between measured and simulated efficiency, in addition to that non-accurate results for 235U enrichment determination. The Monte Carlo method applied to overcome this difficulty was to vary the thickness of dead layer step by step in simulation, a good agreement (minimum deviation) between estimated and experimental efficiency was reached when a suitable germanium dead layer thickness was chosen. Calculations and measurements were performed for radioactive nuclear material samples in the form of UO2 powder with different sizes and enrichments at different locations, under different gamma-lines emitted after a-decay of the 235U nuclei. Results indicated that a good agreement between simulated and measured efficiencies is obtained using a value for the germanium dead layer thickness approximately (2.45 mm) six in comparison with (0.389 mm) provided by the detector manufacturer.
Assessment of the inactive dead layer thickness of old high-purity germanium detector: A study by Monte Carlo simulations and experimental verification