title: Statistical analysis of low-level material screening measurements via gamma-spectroscopy.
abstract: Background estimations in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments (0nubetabeta) require reliable statistical limits on gamma-spectrometric low-level material screening measurements. For this purpose a custom method based on Bayesian statistics with reference to the international standard ISO 11929-7 is presented. The analysis combines the data from sample- and background spectra and comprises the physical knowledge of non-negative counting rates. It allows to incorporate multiple gamma lines of radionuclides. The confidence intervals pass continuously from two-sided intervals into single-sided upper limits.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany. mheisel@mpi-hd.mpg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heisel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaether
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simgen
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D038622:Internationality; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D012015:Reference Standards; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes