Maintaining Accuracy in Gamma-Ray Spectrometry at High Count Rates

Gamma-ray spectrometry losses through pulse processing dead time and pile-up are best assayed with an external pulse technique. In this work, the virtual pulse generator technique as implemented commercially with the Westphal loss free counting (LFC) module is set up and tested with four high resolution gamma-ray spectrometers. Dual source calibration and decaying source techniques are used in the evaluation of the accuracy of the correction technique. Results demonstrate the reliability of the LFC with a standardized conventional pulse processing system. The accurate correction during high rate counting, including during rapid decay of short lived activities, has been the basis for highly precise determinations in reference materials studies.