arXiv subjects

Craig E. Aalseth

Publications and source records attributed to Craig E. Aalseth.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2016

A Low-noise Germanium Ionization Spectrometer for Low-background Science

Recent progress on the development of very low noise high purity germanium ionization spectrometers has produced an instrument of 1.2 kg mass and excellent noise performance. The detector was installed in a low-background cryostat intended for use in a direct detection search for low mass, WIMP dark matter. This Transaction reports the thermal characterization of the cryostat, specifications of the newly prepared 1.2 kg p-type point contact germanium detector, and the spectroscopic performance of the integrated system. The integrated detector and low background cryostat achieved full-width-at-half-maximum noise performance of 98 eV for an electronic pulse generator peak and 1.9 keV for the 1332 keV Co-60 gamma ray.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Shielding concepts for low-background proportional counter arrays in surface laboratories

Development of ultra low background gas proportional counters has made the contribution from naturally occurring radioactive isotopes -- primarily $α$ and $β$ activity in the uranium and thorium decay chains -- inconsequential to instrumental sensitivity levels when measurements are performed in above ground surface laboratories. Simple lead shielding is enough to mitigate against gamma rays as gas proportional counters are already relatively insensitive to naturally occurring gamma radiation. The dominant background in these surface laboratory measurements using ultra low background gas proportional counters is due to cosmic ray generated muons, neutrons, and protons. Studies of measurements with ultra low background gas proportional counters in surface and underground laboratories as well as radiation transport Monte Carlo simulations suggest a preferred conceptual design to achieve the highest possible sensitivity from an array of low background gas proportional counters when operated in a surface laboratory. The basis for a low background gas proportional counter array and the preferred shielding configuration is reported, especially in relation to measurements of radioactive gases having low energy decays such as $^{37}$Ar.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Assay methods for U-238, Th-232, and Pb-210 in lead and calibration of Bi-210 bremsstrahlung emission from lead

Assay methods for measuring 238U, 232Th, and 210Pb concentrations in refined lead are presented. The 238U and 232Th concentrations are determined using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS) after anion exchange column separation of dissolved lead samples. The 210Pb concentration is inferred through α-spectroscopy of a daughter isotope, 210Po, after chemical precipitation separation on dissolved lead samples. Subsequent to the 210Po α-spectroscopy assay, a method for evaluating 210Pb concentrations in solid lead samples was developed via measurement of bremsstrahlung radiation from \b{eta}-decay of a daughter isotope, 210Bi, by employing a 14-crystal array of high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. Ten sources of refined lead were assayed. The 238U concentrations were <34 microBq/kg and the 232Th concentrations ranged <0.6-15 microBq/kg, as determined by the ICP-MS assay method. The 210Pb concentrations ranged from ~0.1-75 Bq/kg, as inferred by the 210Po α-spectroscopy assay method.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Cryostat for Ultra-low-energy Threshold Germanium Spectrometers

This paper presents progress on the development of a cryostat intended to improve upon the low-energy threshold (below 0.5 keV) of p-type point contact germanium gamma-ray spectrometers. Ultra-low energy thresholds are important in the detection of low-energy nuclear recoils, an event class relevant to both dark matter direct detection and measurement of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering. The cryostat design, including a thermal and electrical-field model, is given. A prototype cryostat has been assembled and data acquired to evaluate its vacuum and thermal performance.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2007

Radial position of single-site gamma-ray interactions from a parametric pulse shape analysis of germanium detector signals

Pulse shape analysis of germanium gamma-ray spectrometer signals can yield information on the radial position of individual gamma-ray interactions within the germanium crystal. A parametric pulse shape analysis based on calculation of moments of the reconstructed current pulses from a closed-ended coaxial germanium detector is used to preferentially select single-site gamma-ray interactions. The double escape peak events from the 2614.5 keV gamma-ray of 208-Tl are used as a training set to optimize the single-site event selection region in the pulse shape parameter space. A collimated source of 320.1 keV gamma-rays from 51-Cr is used to scan different radial positions of the same semi-coaxial germanium detector. The previously trained single-site selection region is used to preferentially identify the single-site photoelectric absorption events from the 320.1 keV full-energy peak. From the identified events, a comparison of the pulse shape parameter space distributions between different scan positions allows radial interaction location information to be collected.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Operation of a high purity germanium crystal in liquid argon as a Compton suppressed radiation spectrometer

A high purity germanium crystal was operated in liquid argon as a Compton suppressed radiation spectrometer. Spectroscopic quality resolution of less than 1% of the full-width half maximum of full energy deposition peaks was demonstrated. The construction of the small apparatus used to obtain these results is reported. The design concept is to use the liquid argon bath to both cool the germanium crystal to operating temperatures and act as a scintillating veto. The scintillation light from the liquid argon can veto cosmic-rays, external primordial radiation, and gamma radiation that does not fully deposit within the germanium crystal. This technique was investigated for its potential impact on ultra-low background gamma-ray spectroscopy. This work is based on a concept initially developed for future germanium-based neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments.

nucl-ex↗