New algorithm for studying the effect of self attenuation factor on the efficiency of γ-rays detectors

A new analytical approach is introduced to calculate the full-energy peak efficiency of co-axial HPGe semiconductor detectors, including the source (with a radius smaller than detector's radius) self attenuation correction, the attenuation by the source container and the detector housing materials. Measurements were made using cylindrical isotropic radiating radioactive sources (152Eu) with different volumes, covering the energy range from 121 keV up to 1408 keV. A remarkable agreement between the measured and calculated efficiencies was observed as a result.