Practicable Monte Carlo calibration of HPGe detectors for environmental measurements

Recent advances in available computing power have allowed for the development of Monte Carlo codes as practicable alternatives to empirical calibration of HPGe detectors. Various interfaces have appeared in recent years facilitating the use of Monte Carlo codes by practitioners or institutions where previously the deployment of such routines would have required specialist skills. Testing of Monte Carlo codes indicates that such routines may offer a practicable alternative to traditional calibration routines with none of the drawbacks of such procedures and a concomitant set of advantages that appear to offer significant benefits while producing efficiency data that is comparable to that produced by empirical methods. (au)