title: Acquisition of quality gamma-ray spectra with HPGe spectrometers.
abstract: We propose practices to optimize the quality of acquired gamma-ray spectra at a radioanalytical laboratory and to assist in the identification of extraneous spectral peaks including those from limitations in the physical setup, electronics, and counting conditions. This paper offers visible comparisons of high-quality spectra with those of inferior quality. We demonstrate the impacts on gamma-ray spectra taken with germanium (HPGe) detectors due to detector size, shape and energy resolution, background radiation, high-energy beta- or beta+ decay in the sample, beta(-)-, beta(+)- and gamma-ray backscatter, pole-zero cancellation, pulse pileup, coincidence summing, and unwanted sources of radiation.
authors.affiliation: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2114, USA. rjg@inel.gov
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gehrke
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davidson