Experimental validation of the LabSOCS detector efficiency simulation

In gamma spectroscopy measurements, the precise knowledge of the detection efficiency is often of paramount importance. On the other hand, while the experimental determination of the energy calibration of a given detector is a very quick and simple task, the experimental determination of the efficiency calibration can be both time-consuming and challenging, especially for sources that can not be treated as point-like. As an answer to this problem, the use of Monte Carlo simulations have been a growing trend and some companies have developed commercial solutions. One such implementation that has found widespread use is ISOCS/LabSOCS, which is offered as an optional package for detectors of this manufacturer, while ISOCS is a more general approach intended for in situ measurements. LabSOCS is a simpler implementation aimed towards measurements performed in a laboratory. In the present work, the accuracy of the efficiency values determined by LabSOCS were assessed by determining the activities of point sources measured under five distinct geometries, and comparing the results to the certified activity values. (author)