(POS-60) Calibration and Efficiency of HPGe Detector for building materials

Archana Yadav – Assistant Professor, amity institute of nuclear science & technology, amity university; Unnati Gupta – Assistant Professor, amity institute of nuclear science & technology, amity university; Alpana Goel – Head of the department, amity institute of nuclear science & technology, Amity University

Characterization of detectors is necessary steps towards the correct measurement of gamma-ray activity in environmental samples and construction materials. Only proper calibration provides the right energy-to-channel relationship; efficiency calibration enables the proper characterization of the detector response for specific geometries and compositions. This paper describes the procedure of calibration of a gamma-ray spectrometer using the 152Eu radionuclide and the IAEA RGTH-1 standard source, which simulates the geometry and composition of building materials containers. An absolute efficiency curve was obtained that reflects real measurement scenarios, with measured efficiencies of 15% at 443 keV for 152Eu and 1% at 338 keV for the IAEA RGTH-1 standard source. An absolute efficiency curve was obtained to reflect realistic measurement scenarios. These efficiency values will subsequently be applied to measure the specific activity of various radionuclides in building materials housed in identical containers, ensuring consistent measurement conditions. The results underscore the importance of using an appropriate efficiency calibration approach for similar geometries to achieve reliable activity assessments of the radioactive isotopes present in building materials. To ensure accurate activity measurements for evaluating potential radiation hazards in building materials.