Detectors and detection limits in INAA - I. General theoretical relationships between detector specifications and detection limits

Expressions have been derived which link detection limits in INAA with the Ge-detector specifications, provided by the vendors: relative efficiency, peak-to-Compton ratio and resolution. Situations have been distinguished in which a peak has to be detected on a Compton background, or on a natural background. The expressions allow for a direct indication of the improvement in detection limits, or the shortening of turnaround-time to attain equal detection limits, when a given detector is replaced by a detector with better specifications.