From euroball to gamma-ray tracking arrays - New developments in Ge detector technologies

Position-sensitive Ge detectors are being developed for the next generation of large gamma-ray spectrometers. The position-sensitivity is achieved by the segmentation of the detector contacts and analysis of the detector pulse shape with digital pulse processing electronics. The new technology overcomes the limitations in efficiency and granularity of existing spectrometers. In this contribution we describe the development from encapsulated Ge detectors used for the EUROBALL Cluster detectors to 36-fold segmented, encapsulated Ge detectors proposed for the future European gamma-ray tracking-array AGATA. MINIBALL - a spectrometer dedicated to the investigation of rare gamma-decays at the upcoming radioactive ion beam facilities is one of the first arrays using position-sensitive Ge detectors. The individual components of MINIBALL are described and its specifications are compiled on the basis of first experimental data.