Title

Comparison of a High Purity Germanium Gamma Ray Spectrometer and a Multidimensional NaI(T1) Scintillation Gamma Ray Spectrometer

Author(s) Information

Greg Stratton, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Aerospace Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Date

7-2011

Primary Advisor

Roger Grismore, College of Science and Mathematics, Physics Department

Abstract/Summary

This report compares two different gamma ray spectrometers in terms of performance, operation, and apparatus and also investigates the design and integration challenges of using gamma ray spectrometers in space. The first spectrometer is a one-dimensional high purity germanium (HPGe) spectrometer and the second is a multidimensional NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer (MGRS). The key results show that the HPGe exhibits 15 to 27 times better energy resolution than the MGRS, but the MGRS is 52 times more sensitive and removes 177 % more of the background radiation.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/aerosp/53