| Title | Absolute peak-efficiency calibration of a well-type germanium detector using multiple gamma-emitting nuclides with the "Solver" add-in in Excel™. |
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| Authors | Ishizu, H.; Yamada, T. |
| Journal | Appl Radiat Isot |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.02.013 |
| Abstract |
When calibrating absolute peak efficiency and total efficiency functions for high efficient germanium detectors, single gamma-emitting nuclides are used in general to avoid coincidence summing effects. As another approach, Blaauw developed calibration technique using multiple gamma-emitting nuclides with least-square technique (Blaauw, 1993; Blaauw and Gelsema, 2003). In the present study, we tried to calibrate efficiency functions of a well-type germanium detector based on Blaauw's approach using a home-made iteration calculation algorithm with the "Solver" add-in in Excel™. |
See more Germanium products. Germanium (atomic symbol: Ge, atomic number: 32) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 72.63. 
The number of electrons in each of germanium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 4 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2. The germanium atom has a radius of 122.5 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 211 pm. Germanium was first discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886. In its elemental form, germanium is a brittle grayish white semi-metallic element. Germanium is too reactive to be found naturally on Earth in its native state. 
It is commercially obtained from zinc ores and certain coals. It is also found in argyrodite and germanite. It is used extensively as a semiconductor in transitors, solar cells, and optical materials. Other applications include acting an alloying agent, as a phosphor in fluorescent lamps, and as a catalyst. The name Germanium originates from the Latin word "Germania" meaning "Germany."