Vol.:(0123456789) Radiation Detection Technology and Methods https://doi.org/10.1007/s41605-024-00499-0 ORIGINAL PAPER A comprehensive self‑induced and ambient background study of the Balqarad clover E. Ababneh 1  · N. Mubayed 2  · S. Okoor 3  · S. R. Al‑Bashaish 4  · A. S. Qbelat 1  · M. Sulieman 2  · N. M. Ershaidat 2 Received: 20 May 2024 / Revised: 11 September 2024 / Accepted: 12 October 2024 © Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences 2024 Abstract Purpose This study is part of the Balqarad system's commissioning project. Optimizing the radioactivity detection and meas- urement using the Balqarad setup is highly important to investigate and explain the self-induced and ambient backgrounds to determine the actual sample-related features in the spectra acquired. Methods Balqarad is a radiation detection system composed of a clover, a variety of scintillators, lead shielding, and the standard electronics needed for the construction of gamma spectra. Four distinct setup configurations were set up to measure background radiation using a tailored analysis code. Results Background radiation from Balqarad components was assessed using two-dimensional background spectra features (hotspots and lines). Background sources in the system’s proximity were studied using one-dimensional spectra in both direct (single) and addback modes. Furthermore, these spectra were crucial in detecting and investigating any potential 207 Bi contamination of the bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) material. The results show that the decay from 211 + 211m Po to the energy levels of 207m Pb was measured, and this could be incorrectly interpreted as the decay of 207 Bi. Another noteworthy finding is the presence of a 59.5 keV peak, which was a significant contribution from the shielding to the detector’s back- ground. This study also confirmed the detection of the cosmic peak of 74* Ge generated by the (n, γ) reaction at 596.5 keV in the Ge-BGO system. Conclusion The technique was applied for Balqarad setup components in different configurations for background measure- ment. The study applied a coincidence/anticoincidence technique to the various configurations, resulting in a reduced cosmic background and the Compton continuum by a factor of 53%. Keywords Clover detector · Addback mode · Direct (single) mode · HPGe · Bismuth-207 Introduction Background radiation emerges from diverse origins: natu- rally occurring radioactive materials, also called NORM [1], within the earth’s soil, air, and water, as well as cosmic rays stemming from the sun and our galaxy. This ambient radiation influences detection systems, potentially intro- ducing deviations into their measurements depending on weather conditions and spatial and temporal fluctuations. To ascertain baseline radiation quantities or pollution from human activities, evaluations of radioactivity within natural entities like soil and water are undertaken. These materials contain nuclides such as 40 K, 235 U, 238 U, and 232 Th, which are still largely present within the earth [2]. An ideal gamma spectrometer, optimized for low-activ- ity measurement and long count periods, is necessary due to NORM nuclides in a detector’s atmosphere, leading to numerous peaks in background spectra. Additionally, signa- tures of gamma-ray neutron capture, peaks of annihilation, and X-ray fluorescence might be observed [2]. Cosmic rays, primarily protons with kinetic energies of 1–100 GeV, pro- duce secondary particles upon interaction with the earth’s atmosphere [2]. To mitigate secondary cosmic rays, effective * E. Ababneh eshraq.ababneh@bau.edu.jo 1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt 19117, Jordan 2 Department of Physics, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan 3 Physics Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan 4 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan