Estimating small signals by using maximum likelihood and Poisson statistics

Authors
Hannam, MD Thompson, WJ
Citation
Md. Hannam et Wj. Thompson, Estimating small signals by using maximum likelihood and Poisson statistics, NUCL INST A, 431(1-2), 1999, pp. 239-251
Citations number
32
Categorie Soggetti
Spectroscopy /Instrumentation/Analytical Sciences","Instrumentation & Measurement
Journal title
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
ISSN journal
01689002 → ACNP
Volume
431
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
239 - 251
Database
ISI
SICI code
0168-9002(19990711)431:1-2<239:ESSBUM>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Estimation of small signals from counting experiments with backgrounds larg er than signals is solved using maximum likelihood estimation for situation s in which both signal and background statistics are Poissonian. Confidence levels are discussed, and Poisson, Gauss and least-squares fitting methods are compared. Efficient algorithms that estimate signal strengths and cofi dence levels are devised for computer implementation. Examples from simulat ed data and a low count rate experiment in nuclear physics are given. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.