Characterization of HPGe Detector for Neutron Activation Measurements

In this poster we report on measurements to calibrate the neutron flux from an AmBe source using activation of 58Co in nickel. Nickel foils were exposed to the neutron source and promptly counted in a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The yield of 58Co is then inferred from the observed counts at the 810 keV gamma line from electron capture decay of 58Co. For this project understanding the energy response, resolution, background, and detection efficiency of the HPGe detector is crucial. In this poster we report on measurements performed to characterize the detector's energy linearity and resolution; measurements of the background, and measurements with 152Eu, 137Cs, and 22Na sources of well-known activities to calibrate the detector efficiency. Finally, we report the 58Co yield of the neutron activated sample.