Monte Carlo Studies and Optimization for the Calibration System of the GERDA Experiment

Abstract: The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, searches for neutrinoless double beta decay in Ge-76 using bare high-purity germanium detectors submerged in liquid argon. For the calibration of these detectors gamma emitting sources have to be lowered from their parking position on top of the cryostat over more than five meters down to the germanium crystals. With the help of Monte Carlo simulations, the relevant parameters of the calibration system were determined. It was found that three Th-228 sources with an activity of 20 kBq each at two different vertical positions will be necessary to reach sufficient statistics in all detectors in less than four hours of calibration time. These sources will contribute to the background of the experiment with a total of (1.07 +/- 0.04(stat) +0.13 -0.19(sys)) 10^{-4} cts/(keV kg yr) when shielded from below with 6 cm of tantalum in the parking position.