Laboratory tests of pulse shape discrimination techniques for correcting the effects of radiation damage in germanium coaxial detectors

A reverse-electrode closed-end germanium coaxial detector was irradiated with 183-MeV neutrons to evaluate the value of Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) techniques in restoring the energy resolution and line shape of the radiation damaged detector. Two consecutive irradiations were performed for total fluences of 5.0×108 and 10.4×108 n/cm2, with PSD tests performed after each irradiation. These irradiations degraded the energy resolution and line shapes; however, PSD corrections significantly restored the performance, even after severe damage. These PSD techniques delay and potentially eliminate, in some experimental situations, the need to anneal germanium detectors in damaging radiation environments.