New Hybrid Pulse-Processor for X- and Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

72463S03-I The Department of Energy supports many national facilities and accelerators for a wide variety of nuclear science, physics, and basic science endeavors. New radiation detectors and readout electronics, with improved performance characteristics, will be critical in exploiting the capabilities of existing and new nuclear science facilities. Currently available detector and pulse-processing technology do not meet the current needs of the scientific community. This project will develop a new hybrid digital-analog pulse-processor that will overcome the shortcomings of currently available technology. This pulse-processor will handle high signal count rates at very short amplifier shaping times, with good energy resolution and superior photon peak stability, and also will be able to operate at longer shaping times for excellent energy resolution in lower count rate situations. Phase I will design and simulate the new hybrid pulse-processor based on inputs from real semiconductor detectors. Full development of the pulse-processor will occur in Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: These new hybrid pulse-processors should be suitable for use with a wide range of semiconductor spectrometers, such as those using Si, Ge, and CdTe detectors for x- and gamma-ray spectroscopy. These spectrometers should find use in chemical analyses for industrial process control, materials science, environmental and geochemical research, and also in synchrotron applications.