Abstract
A new theoretical approach is introduced in this article to calculate the full-energy peak efficiency of cylindrical NaI(Tl) gamma-ray detectors. This new approach depends mainly on an analytical calculation of the photon average path lengths inside the source-to-detector system. The effective solid angle Omega join mathematically with the efficiency transfer method (ET) to obtain a simple formula for the detection efficiency. The self attenuation factor of the source (with a radius greater than the detector's radius) matrix is also considered. In addition, the attenuation factors of the source container, the detector housing and any absorbing materials during the measurement are also included. Results are compared with those obtained from ETNA program and those measured by two different cylindrical NaI(Tl) detectors with resolution (FWHM) at 662 keV equal to 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively. (152) Eu aqueous radioactive cylindrical sources covering the energy range from 121 keV up to 1408 keV are used. The measured and the calculated with ETNA program efficiencies are compared with those calculated with this new approach. The results are found satisfactory with negligible discrepancies. (C) 2016 The Physical Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.