A high purity germanium (HPGe) detector is a specialized type of semiconductor detector used to detect gamma rays. It consists of an ultra-pure germanium crystal, which serves as the sensitive material, and semiconductor contacts. When a gamma ray interacts with the crystal, it creates electron-hole pairs, which are then collected by the contacts and processed to provide information about the energy and intensity of the incoming radiation. HPGe detectors are renowned for their excellent energy resolution, enabling precise identification and quantification of gamma rays. They find applications in nuclear spectroscopy, homeland security, medical imaging (PET), and environmental monitoring.
