Evaluation of a Large Ge(Li) Detector for Low-Level Radionuclide Analysis

An evaluation of a 26.3% relative efficiency Ge(Li) detector for low-level radionuclide analysis has been made. The detector performance for sources mounted at the detector end cap was compared with the other smaller Ge(Li) detectors and with an opposed Ge(Li) two detector system. Factors studied included resolution, peak-to-Compton ratios, background, detection efficiency at the end cap, source geometry, and relative sensitivity. The 26.3% relative efficiency detector was found to give superior end cap efficiencies, peak-to-Compton ratios, and relative sensitivities without sacrificing performance in the other factors studied.