The Sandwich spectrometer for ultra low-level γ-ray spectrometry

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 731 - 735
• Main Authors: Elisabeth Wieslander, J.S., Hult, Mikael, Gasparro, Joël, Marissens, Gerd, Misiaszek, Marcin, Preusse, Werner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2009
• Subjects: HPGe detectors; Low background measurements; Muon; Ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry; Underground laboratory; Ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry; Low background measurements; Muon; HPGe detectors; Underground laboratory
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.01.026

The technical details and performance of the newly developed Sandwich spectrometer for ultra low-level γ-ray spectrometry are presented. The spectrometer, which consists of two HPGe detectors, an active muon shield and a lead/copper shield with a convenient and rapid opening mechanism, is located in an underground laboratory at a depth of 500 m water equivalent. The data is collected in list mode, which enables off-line data analysis to identify muon-induced events and possible Ge detector crosstalk due to Compton scattering. The background count-rate from 40 to 2700 keV normalised to the mass of the Ge crystals is 220 day −1 kg −1.