THE RESOLUTION CORRECTION IN THE SCINTILLATION SPECTROMETRY OF CONTINUOUS X RAYS

Abstract

The problem of making resolution corrections in the scintillation spectrometry of continuous X rays is discussed. Analytical solutions are given to the integral equation which describes the effect of the statistical spread in pulse height. The practical necessity of making some kind of numerical analysis is pointed out. Difficulties with numerical methods arise from the fact that the observed pulse-height distribution cannot be defined precisely. As a result it is possible in practice only to find smooth "solutions". Additional difficulties arise if the numerical method is based on an invalid analytical procedure. For example matrix inversion is of doubtful value in making the resolution correction because there does not appear to be an inverse kernel for the integral equation in question.