Fitting special peak shapes of prompt gamma spectra

Abstract

Special spectrum regions, like around the annihilation peak at 511 keV, the boron peak at 478 keV, the Ge-triangles, as well as complicated multiplets or heavily distorted intense peaks require special attention when evaluating Prompt-gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) spectra. A computer code and the related analytical practice of the Budapest PGAA facility is presented to improve the spectroscopy of these cases beyond the past practice relying on the well-known Hypermet-PC software.

Integration of neutron-based elemental analysis and imaging methods and applications to cultural heritage research

“…Afterwards, the 3D rendering and visualization is performed using VG Studio MAX 3.1 (Volume Graphics, 2017). The gamma spectra are evaluated with Hypermet-PC (Fazekas et al, 1996) or with PeakFit (Szentmiklósi, 2017) if batch processing is required, and the elemental concentrations are calculated with the Excel macro ProSpeRo (Révay, 2009).…”

Benchmarking PGAA, in-beam NAA, reactor-NAA and handheld XRF spectrometry for the element analysis of archeological bronzes

“…The spectrum evaluation was performed in all cases using the Hypermet-PC [31] and PeakFit programs [32], whereas the concentration calculation was carried out with the Excel package ProSpeRo [33,34].…”

“…While calculating the DL for the PGAA measurements, the peak-search algorithm settings of the applied spectrum fitting software [31,32] needs to be taken into account [44] in addition to the Currie criterion [43]. Furthermore, the position of the peak in the prompt gamma spectrum (low-energy or high-energy range) has important influence on the minimum detectable area.…”

Non-destructive analysis of metals and alloys using prompt gamma activation analysis and complementary methods

“…The real uncertainty of a real peak area is also influenced by the spectrum region in the vicinity of the peak, and the height of the baseline. The spectrum fitting is performed using the Hypermet PC software [77]- [79], or where special spectrum regions or peaks shapes are important, the Peakfit program [80]. Our prompt gamma spectra can be regarded as 16k-channel histograms.…”

“…This improved the representativity of the LEGe results. Besides the quality of the fit (using two fitting software [77], [80]) and the precision of the fitted peak areas, the obtained Ag/Cu ratios were compared as well, to check the representativity of the results (see Figure 37). Due to the differences between the two detectors (Ge crystal geometry, efficiencies, energy-resolution, difference in the amplifications etc.…”