Abstract- High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors are renowned for their exceptional energy resolution and high efficiency in detecting gamma rays, making them indispensable in applications where precise energy spectrum measurements are critical. These detectors can also detect neutrons indirectly through secondary gamma emissions.
HPGe detectors are currently employed across a diverse range of fields, including homeland security systems, environmental monitoring, nuclear safeguards, and advanced nuclear physics experiments. One notable application is in cargo inspection for radioactive materials. For instance, the Port Authority of New York has estimated that if a single terminal were closed for just one hour to investigate a false positive radiation signature, it could cost up to half million dollars. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has tested HPGe detectors in portal monitoring configurations, demonstrating excellent standoff detection capabilities and radionuclide identification accuracy.
Commercially available portable, electromechanically cooled HPGe detectors have been utilized by various federal and state agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP), and Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) teams.
In this presentation, we will explore the design of electronic systems necessary for conditioning and processing signals from HPGe detectors. A key focus will be on how these electronics are optimized to maintain signal integrity, ensuring that the superior resolution of HPGe detectors is fully utilized. We will discuss challenges related to signal amplification, noise reduction, and signal processing, as well as highlight the latest technological advancements that enhance accuracy and reliability in gamma-ray detection.
Speaker(s): Marcos Turqueti
Agenda:
Event Agenda
1. Intro & Announcements- SPS & ComSoc East Bay Chapters 6.00-6.15 PM
2. Presentation – Signal Processing for HPGe Detectors 6.15-7.00 PM
3. Networking with Cocktail Food & Refreshments 7.00-8.00 PM
UC Berkeley, Wozniak Lounge (Soda Hall, Room#430), 1860 Le Roy Ave, Berkeley, California, United States, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/439900
Advanced Electronics and Signal Processing for High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detectors
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