A comparative study of LaBr3(Ce3+) and CeBr3 based gamma-ray spectrometers for planetary remote sensing applications

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4958897
• Publication Date: 2016-08-12T17:00:19Z
• Authors: A. Kozyrev; I. Mitrofanov; A. Owens; F. Quarati; J. Benkhoff; B. Bakhtin; F. Fedosov; D. Golovin; M. Litvak; A. Malakhov; M. Mokrousov; I. Nuzhdin; A. Sanin; V. Tretyakov; A. Vostrukhin; G. Timoshenko; V. Shvetsov; C. Granja; T. Slavicek; S. Pospisil
• Keywords: Gamma Spectroscopy

The recent availability of large volume cerium bromide crystals raises the possibility substantially improving gamma-ray spectrometer limiting flux sensitivities over current systems based on lanthanum tri-halides, e.g., and chloride, especially for remote sensing, low-level counting applications or any type measurement characterized by poor signal to noise ratios. Russian Space Research Institute has developed manufactured a highly sensitive sensing observations planet Mercury from Polar Orbiter (MPO), which forms part ESA's BepiColombo mission. Flight Model (FM) is 3-in. single crystal LaBr3(Ce(3+)) produced in separate development programme specifically this During spectrometers development, manufacturing, qualification phases, CeBr3 became available subsequent phase same programme. Consequently, Spare (FSM) was retrofitted with qualified space. Except crystals, two are essentially identical. In paper, we report comparative assessment systems, terms their respective spectral properties, as well suitability use planetary mission respect radiation tolerance propensity activation. We also contrast performance Ge detector representative that flown MESSENGER show that: (a) both provide superior detection HPGe context minimally resourced spacecraft (b) more attractive system than at lower gamma fluxes. Based tests, FM now been replaced FSM spacecraft. Thus, central element MPO