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Modelling of a Single-Channel Beta–Gamma Coincidence Phoswich Detector Using Geant4 for the Conversion Electron Energy Peak Resolution and Beta–Gamma Coincidence Efficiency Improvement

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Abstract

In this study, an optimized single-channel phoswich well detector design has been proposed and assessed in order to improve beta–gamma coincidence measurement sensitivity of xenon radioisotopes. This newly designed phoswich well detector consists of a plastic beta counting cell (BC404) embedded in a CsI (Tl) crystal coupled to a photomultiplier tube. The BC404 is configured in a cylindrical pipe shape to minimise light collection deterioration. The CsI (Tl) crystal consists of a rectangular part and a semi-cylinder scintillation part as a light reflector to increase light gathering. Compared with a PhosWatch detector, the final optimized detector geometry showed 15 % improvement in the energy resolution of a 131mXe 129.4 keV conversion electron peak. The predicted beta–gamma coincidence efficiencies of xenon radioisotopes have also been improved accordingly.

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Correspondence to Weihua Zhang.

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Zhang, W., Mekarski, P., Bean, M. et al. Modelling of a Single-Channel Beta–Gamma Coincidence Phoswich Detector Using Geant4 for the Conversion Electron Energy Peak Resolution and Beta–Gamma Coincidence Efficiency Improvement. Pure Appl. Geophys. 171, 621–627 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0494-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0494-4

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