Pulse distributions and tracking in segmented detectors

A study of the performance of a cylindrical HPGe detector segmented in 25 segments is presented. It is based on simulations made with the computer code GEANT and focuses on the reconstruction of a γ-ray path. The effects of the segmentation are initially discussed in terms of Doppler correction. The role of the pulse shape analysis and its effects on tracking algorithms are discussed as a function of the capability to reconstruct a γ-ray path when multiple signals (direct and induced) are present in a single segment. It is found that it is critical to identify correctly at least two signals in a segment in order to have a reasonable efficiency and Compton suppression in the spectra and to make a good use of this type of detectors.