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Charged Particle Induced Radiation damage of Germanium Detectors in Space: Two Mars Observer Gamma-Ray DetectorsThe Mars Observer Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (MO GRS) was designed to measure gamma-rays emitted by the Martian surface. This gamma-ray emission is induced by energetic cosmic-ray particles penetrating the Martian surface and producing many secondary particles and gamma rays. The MO GRS consisted of an high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector with a passive cooler. Since radiation damage due to permanent bombardment of energetic cosmic ray particles (with energies up to several GeV) was expected for the MO GRS HPGe crystal, studies on radiation damage effects of HPGe crystals were carried on earth. One of the HPGe crystals (paradoxically called FLIGHT) was similar to the MO GRS crystal. Both detectors, MO GRS and FLIGHT, contained closed-end coaxial n-type HPGe crystals and had the same geometrical dimensions (5.6 x 5.6 cm). Many other parameters, such as HV and operation temperature, differed in space and on earth, which made it somewhat difficult to directly compare the performance of both detector systems. But among other detectors, detector FLIGHT provided many useful data to better understand radiation damage effects.
Document ID
19970026516
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bruekner, J.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Koenen, M.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Evans, L. G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Starr, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Bailey, S. H.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Boynton W. V.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Second Conference on the High Energy Radiation Background in Space
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Accession Number
97N25789
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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