Multiplicative scale uncertainties in the unified approach for constructing confidence intervals

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2009.03.206· OSTI ID:956235

Smith, Elton

We have investigated how uncertainties in the estimation of the detection efficiency affect the 90\% confidence intervals in the unified approach for constructing confidence intervals. The study has been conducted for experiments where the number of detected events is large and can be described by a Gaussian probability density function. We also assume the detection efficiency has a Gaussian probability density and study the range of the relative uncertainties $$\sigma_\epsilon$$ between 0 and 30\%. We find that the confidence intervals provide proper coverage and increase smoothly and continuously from the intervals that ignore scale uncertainties with a quadratic dependence on $$\sigma_\epsilon$$.

• Research Organization: Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-060R23177
• OSTI ID: 956235
• Report Number(s): JLAB-PHY-08-918; arXiv:0812.112; DOE/OR/23177-0563
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English