The Use of Ge Detectors for Precision Positron-Endpoint Measurements of Short Lived Nuclei

A brief review of the development and application of techniques for measuring positron endpoint energies using intrinsic Ge detectors is given. The calculation of detector response functions using Monte Carlo methods is discussed. Multiple scattering, bremsstrahlung, photo-electron escape and interference from annihilation radiations are considered. The techniques were tested using well known endpoints of the decays of 27Si, 58Cu and 64Ga. Q-values were determined for mass-separated samples of 76,77Rb and 77Kr produced in heavy ion reactions.