A new Monte Carlo assisted approach to detector response functions

The physical mechanisms that describe the components of NaI, Ge, and SiLi detector response have been investigated using Monte Carlo simulation. The mechanisms described focus on the shape of the Compton edge, the magnitude of the flat continuum, and the shape of the exponential tails features. These features are not accurately predicted by previous Monte Carlo simulation. Probable interaction mechanisms for each detector response component is given based on this Monte Carlo simulation.;Precollision momentum of the electron is considered when simulating incoherent scattering of the photon. The description of the Doppler broadened photon energy spectrum corrects the shape of the Compton edge. Special attention is given to partial energy loss mechanisms in the frontal region of the detector like the escape of photoelectric and Auger electrons or low-energy X-rays from the detector surface. The results include a possible physical mechanism describing the exponential tail feature that is generated by a separate Monte Carlo simulation. Also included is a description of a convolution effect that accounts for the difference in magnitude of the flat continuum in the Monte Carlo simulation and experimental spectra. The convolution describes an enhanced electron loss. Results of these applications are discussed.