Enhanced digital spectrometry of gas proportional scintillation counter pulses in x-ray fluorescence applications

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/23.682396· OSTI ID:624138

Simoes, P C.P.S.; Santos, J M.F. dos; Conde, C A.N. ^[1]

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1. Univ. de Coimbra (Portugal)

Pulse integration times of several microseconds are necessary to reduce ballistic deficit in the signals from a gas proportional scintillation counter. However, shorter integration times are desirable when risetime discrimination is applied. To meet both requirements, the pulse is first integrated in the main amplifier with a short (0.1 {micro}s) integration time constant for risetime discrimination, followed by digital integration with a longer time constant. When applied to the pulse-height distribution of x-rays from a {sup 109}Cd source, this processing method improves the resolution and the peak-to-background ratio from 5.2% and 17, respectively, for the case of a 5 {micro}s analog integration time constant and no risetime discrimination, to 4.4% and 93, when a 0.1-{micro}s analog time constant and risetime discrimination and digital integration are applied. In the latter case, 92% of the peak-counting efficiency is retained.

• OSTI ID: 624138
• Report Number(s): CONF-971147--
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science Journal Issue: 3Pt1 Vol. 45; ISSN 0018-9499; ISSN IETNAE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
GAS SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
PULSE ANALYZERS
PULSE DISCRIMINATORS
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY