title: Digital pulse processing and optimization of the front-end electronics for nuclear instrumentation.
abstract: This article describes an algorithm developed for the digital processing of signals provided by a high-efficiency well-type NaI(Tl) detector used to apply the 4πγ technique. In order to achieve a low-energy threshold, a new front-end electronics has been specifically designed to optimize the coupling to an analog-to-digital converter (14 bit, 125 MHz) connected to a digital development kit produced by Altera(®). The digital pulse processing is based on an IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) approximation of the Gaussian filter (and its derivatives) that can be applied to the real-time processing of digitized signals. Based on measurements obtained with the photon emissions generated by an (241)Am source, the energy threshold is estimated to be equal to ~2 keV corresponding to the physical threshold of the NaI(Tl) detector. An algorithm developed for a Silicon Drift Detector used for low-energy x-ray spectrometry is also described. In that case, the digital pulse processing is specifically designed for signals provided by a reset-type preamplifier ((55)Fe source).
authors: CEA, List, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France. Electronic address: christophe.bobin@cea.fr.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bobin
authors: CEA, List, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bouchard
authors: CEA, List, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Thiam
authors: CEA, List, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Ménesguen
keywords: Digital pulse processing; Front-end electronics; Gaussian filter; Radionuclide metrology