Indigenously developed gamma spectrometer

Undergraduate level nuclear physics laboratory experiments for gamma spectroscopy in India most commonly include Geiger Counters, and a selection of low-activity gamma sources. Spectroscopy experiments however, are not as frequently available due to the expensive design of the existing solutions which rely on photo-multiplier tubes and a series of signal processing modules. We present the design and characterisation of a gamma spectrometer that is extremely compact, and has been kept very cost-effective, bearing in mind the limited resources available with universities. The detection unit is designed using a scintillator coupled photo-diode detector, and the entire signal processing electronics inclusive of a 1K multi-channel analyzer is mounted in a durable aluminium enclosure measuring a mere 112*60*31mm³