Question

A pure Si detector operating in photoconductive mode and at room temperature absorbs a 1.04MeV gamma-ray photon produced by the decay of a 136Cs nucleus. The detector has an active area of 1 cm2 and is 0.5 cm thick. (a) Compute the number of electrons generated by the absorption of this photon. (b) Compare this number with that expected to be in the CB in the absence of any illumination (this would be the background signal). Will the signal from the gamma ray be detectable? (c) How would you enhance the signal over background?

Answer 1