Geometrical optimization of an annulus Compton suppression system using Monte Carlo simulation

We are planning to construct a Compton-suppression system permitting accurate and precise determinations of radioactivity of low-level environmental samples. An annulus guard detector (NaI) and a plug-in detector (NaI) are being used as suppression detectors with an HPGe primary detector. The geometry of the Compton suppression spectrometer was optimized by simulation with PENELOPE for obtaining the highest suppression factor (SF) for a point source. The results of the simulations show that the ultimate value of the suppression factor is 7.87±0.18, obtained when the source is located at 57% of an annuls guard detector.