Comparison of LabSOCS and GESPECOR codes used in gamma-ray spectrometry

Two dedicated software packages -LabSOCS and GESPECOR- for efficiency evaluation in gamma-ray spectrometry, were compared for equivalence. The detection efficiency and the coincidence-summing corrections coefficients were calculated for a specific HPGe detector, for different sample parameters and energies typically encountered in environmental radioactivity measurements. The discrepancy between the results obtained with the two codes were acceptable for most of the applications. Furthermore, the deviations between the values of the standard sources/ reference materials activities from the certificate and the values obtained after Monte Carlo simulation were less than 8% for LabSOCS and 9% for GESPECOR. •LabSOCS and GESPECOR were compared for equivalence.•Detector characterization is absolutely necessary for simulation with LabSOCS.•Detection efficiencies were evaluated both with LabSOCS and GESPECOR for volume sources.•Coincidence summing effects were evaluated for multi-energetic radionuclides.•Results demonstrate precision and accuracy of both software.