Method for effective dead time measurement in counting systems

• Author(s): Vinagre, F. L. R. ; Conde, C. A. N.
• Date: 2001
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10316/4514
• Origin: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
• Subject(s): Pulse pile-up; Dead time behavior; Resolution time; Counting losses; Radiation detectors; Absolute counting measurements.
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The counting losses introduced by the dead time of a counting system are a limiting factor in counting measurements. The purpose of this work is to report an efficient method for the measurement of the effective dead time of a counting system and to characterize its dead time behavior, providing a way to investigate each experimental situation. The method, which we designate as Delayed and Mixed Pulses method, is based on the artificial piling-up of detector pulses with electronic pulses delayed by a specific time interval. It is applicable to the measurement of the effective dead time of a counting system, including both pile-up effects and the dead time characteristics of the elements of the counting chain. With counting systems relying on gaseous radiation detectors, we achieved a standard uncertainty of about 5-10% in the dead times measured. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TJM-432D95H-V/1/71b31ba2b8d0582c7286bebf941807d8