Pulse shape analysis with a broad-energy germanium detector for the GERDA experiment

To reduce background in experiments looking for rare events, such as the GERDA double beta decay experiment, it is necessary to employ active background-suppression techniques. One of such techniques is the pulse shape analysis of signals induced by the interaction of radiation with the detector. Analysis of the time-development of the impulses can distinguish between an interaction of an electron and an interaction of a multiple-scattered photon inside the detector. This information can be used to eliminate background events from the recorded data. Results of pulse-shape analysis of signals from a commercially available broad-energy germanium detector are presented and the pulse-shape discrimination capability of such detector configuration for use in low-background experiments is discussed.