ANGLE: A PC-code for semiconductor detector efficiency calculations

Abstract

A broadly applicable, flexible and user-friendly PC-code (ANGLE) for calculations of semiconductor detector full energy peak efficiencies (ε _p ) is presented. The physical model behind is the concept of the effective solid angle$\overline {(\Omega )}$. Written in Pascal, and operating in windows and menus data manipulation mode, ANGLE yields the efficiencies for: (1) HPGe true- and closed-end coaxial (bothn- andp-types), (2) Ge(Li) open- and closed-end, (3) planar LEPD and (4) well-type detectors. Supposing coaxial positioning, cylindrical or Marinelli sources can be treated, regardless of their dimensions (this includes point, disk and ring sources, bulky samples and infinite geometrics). Possible displacement between source and detector axes is treated in our another work, relative to this one. ANGLE input parameters are: (1) reference efficiency curve for the detector used (i.e., efficiency vs. γ-energy for calibrated point sources at a reference distance), (2) detector type and configuration (active body and inactive layers, end cap, windows, housing, shielding, (3) source data (dimension and composition of both container and active material), (4) source-detector geometry (distance, intercepting layers and their composition) and (5) some computational data (Gauss integration coefficients). Gamma-attenuation is calculated upon an extensive (per element and per energy) data file. In the output, efficiency vs. γ-energy is found, both in forms of tables and graphs. In routine applications accuracies of 3–4% are achieved (not worse than 7% for the most unfavourable geometries). Computation times when using recent PC models are of the order of minutes. ANGLE frame is also easily adjustable to other semiempirical or Monte Carlo models for efficiency calculations.