Abstract
The detection sensitivity of various size germanium detectors to low-level neutron dose equivalent rate is described. Six high-purity germanium detectors with a crystal volume of 60 to 120 cm 3 were irradiated by neutrons produced from a 0.76 μg 252 Cf isotopic neutron source. The counting rate of the prompt gamma rays of 596 keV was used to determine the detecting sensitivities of the detectors. The results show that the detecting sensitivity of the HPGe detector decreases with increasing detector size, and approximately proportional to the crystal volume. © 1992.