A range of germanium detectors up to 50cc in volume have been developed in Electronics and Applied Physics Division, A.E.R.E. This paper describes the basic features of these detectors and their operational requirements. Operation of these detectors gives rise to some problems which must be solved if their potentialities are to be fully and reliably achieved. This has involved the design of various types of cryostat, and the development of low noise pulse amplifiers which can be matched to a detector to give an optimum response. Taken as a whole, this work leads to the concept of a spectrometer system, constructed from a basic set of components, designed to meet a specific counting require¬ment. Several spectrometer systems have been built at Harwell and are described in detail. The degree of resolution obtainable has already opened up many new areas of work in gamma spectrometry. Particular examples in radiochemical analysis, fuel-element studies and nuclear physics are described and a short account of other applications within the U.K.A.E.A. is given.
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