J. Eberth

Encapsulated Ge detectors: Development and first tests

Abstract This paper discusses the development and the realisation of an encapsulated Ge detector. The properties of a first prototype detector are; relative efficiency e rel = 21.4%; energy resolution: Δ E γ(1.33MeV) = 2.10 keV and Δ E γ(122 keV) = 1.10 keV. The encapsulation technology offers advantages; several encapsulated Ge detectors can be mounted closely packed in a cryostat, all electronic parts of the first preamplifier stage are accessible and induced radiation damage of the Ge crystal can be annealed in a standard furnace.

MINIBALL A Ge detector array for radioactive ion beam facilities

Abstract Dedicated Ge-detector arrays are being developed for the investigation of rare γ decays with low γ-ray multiplicity at the upcoming radioactive ion beam facilities. These arrays are optimized for the high full-energy peak efficiency and angular resolution of the γ-ray detection needed for a proper Doppler correction of the γ-rays emitted by fast recoiling nuclei. MINIBALL will consist of 40 six-fold segmented, encapsulated Ge detectors which are clustered in eight cryostats with three detectors each and four cryostats with four detectors, respectively. The individual components - the six-fold segmented Ge detector, the cryostats, the fast preamplifier, the digital pulse-processing electronics and the mechanical frame - and their properties are described. The results of test measurements with the first MINIBALL cluster detector using a 137 Cs source and the in-beam reaction D( 37 Cl, n) 38 Ar are presented. It is shown that from pulse-shape analysis of the events within a detector segment the effective granularity of the MINIBALL array can be enhanced from 240 to ∼ 4000. The specifications of MINIBALL are compiled on the basis of experimental data. First results with a 12-fold segmented, encapsulated detector are discussed with respect to the feasibility of future γ-ray tracking arrays.

The EUROBALL neutron wall - design and performance tests of neutron detectors

The mechanical design of the EUROBALL neutron wall and neutron detectors, and their performance measured with a Cm-246,Cm-248 fission source are described. The array consists of 15 pseudohexaconical detector units subdivided into three, 149 mm high, hermetically separated segments and a smaller central pentagonal unit subdivided into five segments. The detectors are filled with Bicron BC501A liquid scintillator. Each section of the hexaconical detectors is viewed by a 130 mm diameter Philips XP4512PA photomultiplier while the sections of pentagonal detectors are viewed by Philips XP4312B PMTs. The tests of n-gamma discrimination performed by zero-crossing and time-of-flight methods show a full separation of gamma- and neutron events down to 50 keV recoil electron energy. These tests demonstrate the excellent timing properties of the detectors and an average time resolution of 1.56 ns. The factors determining the efficiency of neutron detectors are discussed. The total efficiency for the full array for a symmetric fusion-evaporation reaction is predicted to be 0.30

Accelerated radioactive beams from REX-ISOLDE

In 2001 the linear accelerator of the Radioactive beam EXperiment (REX-ISOLDE) delivered for the first time accelerated radioactive ion beams, at a beam energy of 2 MeV/u. REX-ISOLDE uses the method of charge-state breeding, in order to enhance the charge state of the ions before injection into the LINAC. Radioactive singly-charged ions from the on-line mass separator ISOLDE are first accumulated in a Penning trap, then charge bred to an A/q < 4.5 in an electron beam ion source (EBIS) and finally accelerated in a LINAC from 5 keV/u to energies between 0.8 and 2.2 MeV/u. Dedicated measurements with REXTRAP, the transfer line and the EBIS have been carried out in conjunction with the first commissioning of the accelerator. Thus the properties of the different elements could be determined for further optimization of the system. In two test beam times in 2001 stable and radioactive Na isotopes (Na-23-Na-26) have been accelerated and transmitted to a preliminary target station. There Ni-58- and Be-9- and H-2-targets have been used to study exited states via Coulomb excitation and neutron transfer reactions. One MINIBALL triple cluster detector was used together with a double sided silicon strip detector to detect scattered particles in coincidence with gamma-rays. The aim was to study the operation of the detector under realistic conditions with gamma-background from the beta-decay of the radioactive ions and from the cavities. Recently for efficient detection eight tripple Ge-detectors of MINIBALL and a double sided silicon strip detector have been installed. We will present the first results obtained in the commissioning experiments and will give an overview of realistic beam parameters for future experiments to be started in the spring 2002.

Development of a composite Ge detector for EUROBALL

Abstract The aim of the EUROBALL project is the development of γ-ray detectors with substantially improved qualities, and the realization of large solid angle arrays, in particular of 4π spectrometers employing these detectors. This article especially focusses on the development of a Cluster detector consisting of seven large hexagonal tapered and encapsulated Ge detectors which are surrounded by a common BGO anti-Compton shield. First results of the properties of a hexagonal tapered Ge detector and of an encapsulated Ge detector are presented.

226Ra as calibration standard for Ge(Li) spectrometers

Abstract The energies and relative intensities of gamma-rays from the decay of 226Ra and its short-lived daughters have been measured using various high-resolution Ge(Li) detectors. A technique based on a nonlinear least-squares method is proposed to fit the gamma-ray pulse height distribution. Results of the successive steps of the analysis performed by the computer code are displayed on a storage CRT. The peaks of interest and their vicinity are plotted along with the actual fitting function and can be checked visually. The typical uncertainties of the gamma-ray energies are about 15 eV, the relative intensities are given within an accuracy of 1.5%. The chain is recommended for use as a calibration standard for Ge(Li) spectrometers.

Development of segmented Ge detectors for future γ-ray arrays

The EUROBALL Cluster detector is composed of seven encapsulated Ge detectors in a common cryostat with a total volume of 2000 ccm of HP Gemanium. The development and the performance of the Cluster detector is summarized. Up to six Cluster detectors were used in pre-EUROBALL experiments at the S-DALINAC Darmstadt, at the tandem-postaccelerator facility of the MPI-K Heidelberg and at the UNILAC at GSI. Examples of these experiments - the excitation of dipole modes with (γ, γ′)-reactions and the first coincidence spectroscopy of the N=Z-nucleus 68Se with a CLUSTER Cube - are discussed. The development of segmented encapsulated Ge detectors for a MINIBALL at the radioactive beam facility REX-ISOLDE has been launched. The status of the project is presented.

The response of the Euroball Cluster detector to γ-radiation up to 10 MeV

The Euroball Cluster detector consists of seven closely packed hexagonal encapsulated germanium detectors which are mounted in a common cryostat and surrounded by a BGO suppression shield. By adding back the Compton scattered events between the seven germanium detectors the detector system behaves similar as a single germanium detector with a volume of 2000 cm3. The response of this very large germanium detector to γ-rays up to 10 MeV has been measured using a short lived 24Al source produced at the Cologne FN Tandem accelerator. At 10 MeV the efficiency of the Cluster detector is nearly one order of magnitude larger than that of a 30% germanium detector.

Fine structure of the E1 response in 140Ce below the particle threshold

Abstract The E1 response of the semi-magic nucleus 140Ce below the particle threshold was measured in a (γ,γ′) experiment utilizing the new Euroball Cluster detector at the S-DALINAC. While the energy averaged data are in good agreement with tagged photon results, here they are resolved for the first time into 54 individual transitions. A quasiparticle-phonon model calculation including up to three-phonon configurations compares well to the extracted strength distribution. The interference between one- and two-phonon contributions is essential for a quantitative reproduction.

Delayed g9/2 Alignment in the N=Z Nucleus 72Kr

The structure of Kr-72 has been investigated at GASP through the Ca-40(Ca-40,2 alpha) reaction at a beam energy of 160 MeV using the 4 pi ISIS Si-ball for reaction channel selection. The level scheme has been extended up to an excitation energy of approximate to 8.5 MeV. The spins and parities of the observed levels are assigned tentatively. The observed band shows the predicted change from oblate to prolate shape. The four quasi-particle g(9/2) alignment is found to be significantly delayed in rotational frequency with respect to the heavier Kr isotopes. Such a delay contradicts the predictions of standard mean-field calculations and may reflect either additional correlations in the T = 0 pairing channel or coupling to vibrational degrees of freedom or both