Automation of Sample Handling for ORTEC’s Lead-Shielded High-Purity Germanium Gamma-Ray Detector: Automatización del manejo de muestras para el detector de rayos gamma de germanio de alta pureza blindado con plomo de ORTEC

Carolina Campagna-Sánchez; Jenny Gómez-Avila; Grey Dorian Guzmán-Tejada; Jose Ramón Alvarez; Gabriela Beatriz Grad; Edgardo Venusto Bonzi; Jorge Torres-Díaz

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2026.3019

Authors

Carolina Campagna-Sánchez Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
- Conceptualization
- Methodology
- Software
- Validation
- Data Curation
- Formal Analysis
- Visualization
- Investigation
Jenny Gómez-Avila Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
- Conceptualization
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Project Administration
- Resources
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
- Data Curation
- Funding Acquisition
- Validation
- Supervision
Grey Dorian Guzmán-Tejada Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
- Formal Analysis
- Methodology
- Supervision
- Writing – Review & Editing
- Validation
- Data Curation
Jose Ramón Alvarez Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
- Funding Acquisition
- Investigation
- Project Administration
- Validation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Gabriela Beatriz Grad National University of Córdoba
- Investigation
- Validation
- Writing – Review & Editing
- Methodology
Edgardo Venusto Bonzi National University of Córdoba
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Validation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Jorge Torres-Díaz Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
- Conceptualization
- Funding Acquisition
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Project Administration
- Resources
- Data Curation
- Validation
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2026.3019

Keywords:

Autosampler, HPGe detector, Linear actuators, Arduino, Programming

Abstract

Gamma spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique for identifying and quantifying radionuclides in environmental samples. High-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors are commonly used for these analyses. To minimize background radiation from sources other than the sample, the detector is housed in a lead shield. ORTEC’s low-background shield, weighing approximately 1180 kg, poses challenges for automation, making such systems rare and commercially expensive. Additionally, HPGe detectors require cooling to cryogenic temperatures, typically achieved using liquid nitrogen (LN₂). The drawbacks of LN₂ include its high cost and the limited duration of a 30 L LN₂ charge (around 14 days), regardless of detector operation. An autosampler, an automated sample-handling system, optimizes LN₂ usage by enabling sample changes during idle periods. In this work, we developed a cost-effective and efficient autosampler incorporating a “pick and place” robot and a pneumatic circuit for sample manipulation, linear actuators for automated door operation, and an electronic system integrated with “Maestro” (ORTEC’s spectroscopy software) via a custom-developed Python interface. This system integrates mechanical design, electronics, and programming to enhance efficiency, optimize LN₂ usage and reduce downtime, thereby improving overall operational performance.

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References

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