PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Nuclear Physics · Radiation interactions, detection and dosimetry · Radiation interactions, detection and dosimetry
The Nucleus Resolved, Ch From a pulse to a number: detectors, resolution and what a spectrum establishes
Problem
A sealed 137Cs source, which emits a single gamma ray of energy 662keV, is measured with a germanium detector housed in a lead-shield castle. Using the electron rest energy mec2=511keV, predict the energy of
((a)) the Compton edge of the 662keV peak,
((b)) the backscatter peak produced by photons scattered through 180∘ in the shield.