New encapsulation technology for HPGe detectors

Abstract A new encapsulation technology for HPGe detectors operating in ultra high vacuum or in inert atmosphere of high purity gas was developed. The high-purity Ge detectors for radiation detection is based on a reusable receptacle or enclosure. The main mechanical parts, the detector capsule and the lid are connected in a vacuum-tight manner with an elastic metallic seal which works in the wide temperature range from liquid nitrogen to $$+105^\circ $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>105</mml:mn> <mml:mo>∘</mml:mo> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> with a leak rate below $$10^{-10}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup> </mml:math> mbar $$\cdot $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>·</mml:mo> </mml:math> l/s. A UHV quality below $$10^{-7}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> <mml:mn>7</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup> </mml:math> mbar or a gas purity better than N5.0 (99.999%) is ensured. The capsule and the lid can be dismounted manually without machining. The mechanical parts can be reused maintaining the performance in the whole temperature range and the requested low leak rate. The new technology is already being used for various types of detectors. In addition to the advantages, the results obtained do not show any changes in the excellent properties of HPGe detectors in terms of energy resolution or other essential features.