Surface Characterization of P-Type Point Contact Germanium Detectors

P-type point contact (PPC) germanium detectors are used in rare event and low-background searches, including neutrinoless double beta (0 nu beta beta) decay, low-energy nuclear recoils, and coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. The detectors feature an excellent energy resolution, low detection thresholds down to the sub-keV range, and enhanced background rejection capabilities. However, due to their large passivated surface, separating the signal readout contact from the bias voltage electrode, PPC detectors are susceptible to surface effects such as charge build-up. A profound understanding of their response to surface events is essential. In this work, the response of a PPC detector to alpha and beta particles hitting the passivated surface was investigated in a multi-purpose scanning test stand. It is shown that the passivated surface can accumulate charges resulting in a radial-dependent degradation of the observed event energy. In addition, it is demonstrated that the pulse shapes of surface alpha events show characteristic features which can be used to discriminate against these events.

Automated summary

P-type point contact (PPC) germanium detectors are used in rare event and low-background searches, but they are susceptible to surface effects like charge build-up. This study investigated the response of a PPC detector to surface alpha and beta particles, showing that the passivated surface can accumulate charges causing a radial-dependent degradation of energy. It also demonstrated that characteristic pulse shapes of surface alpha events can be used for discrimination.