Germanium detector test-stands at the Max Planck Institute for Physics and alpha interactions on passivated surfaces. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gooch, C; Garbini, L; Abt, I; Schulz, O; Palermo, M; Majorovits, B; Liao, H-Y; Liu, X; Seitz, H
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Number 606(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/606/1/012008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: The GeDetgroup at the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich, Germany, operates a number of test stands in order to conduct research on novel germanium detectors. The test stands are of a unique design and construction that provide the ability to probe the properties of new detector types. The GALATEA test stand was especially designed for surface scans, specifically a-induced surface events, a problem faced in low background experiments due to unavoidable surface contamination of detectors. A special 19-fold segmented coaxial prototype detector has already been investigated inside GALATEA with an a-source. A top surface scan provided insight into the physics underneath the passivation layer. Detector segmentation provides a direct path towards background identification and characterisation. With this in mind, a 4-fold segmentation scheme was implemented on a broad-energy point-contact detector and is being investigated inside the groups K1 test stand. A cryogenic test-stand where detectors can be submerged directly in liquid nitrogen or argon is also available. The goal is to establish segmentation as a viable option to reduce background in future large scale experiments.