Characteristics of Signals Originating Near the Lithium-Diffused N+ Contact of High Purity Germanium P-Type Point Contact Detectors

Understand

A study of signals originating near the lithium-diffused n+ contact of p-type point contact (PPC) high purity germanium detectors (HPGe) is presented.

• The transition region between the active germanium and the fully dead layer of the n+ contact is examined.
• Energy depositions in this transition region are shown to result in partial charge collection.
• This provides a mechanism for events with a well defined energy to contribute to the continuum of the energy spectrum at lower energies.