Direct evaluation of low-level counting techniques employing Ge(Li) detectors

The low level counting capabilities and critical parameters of Ge(Li) gamma ray spectrometers are investigated using an expression for the spectrometer sensitivity limit. The significance of the counting parameters involved and the practical means by which they may be optimised have also been considered. A comparison method is used to evaluate the effectiveness and behaviour of several available counting techniques (e.g. coincidence and anti-coincidence methods).