On the introduction of a measurement standard for high-purity germanium crystals to be used in radiation detectors

The IEEE and ANSI have recently approved "Standard Test Procedures for High-Purity Germanium Crystals for Radiation Detectors" proposed by the IEEE/NPSS/Nuclear Instruments and Detectors Committee. The standard addresses three aspects of the characterisation of high-purity germanium: (i) the determination by the van der Pauw method of the net carrier concentration and type; (ii) the measurement by capacitance transient techniques of the concentration of trapping levels; (iii) the description of the crystallographic properties revealed by preferential etching. In addition to describing the contents of this standard, the purpose of this work is also to place the issues faced in the context of professional consensus: points of agreement, points of disagreement, and subjects poorly understood