Comparison of alternative methods for multiplet deconvolution in the analysis of gamma-ray spectra

Three methods for multiplet deconvolution were tested using the 1995 IAEA r eference spectra: Total area determination, iterative fitting and the libra ry-oriented approach. It is concluded that, if statistical control (i.e. th e ability to report results that agree with the known, true values to withi n the reported uncertainties) is required, the total area determination met hod performs the best. If high deconvolution power is required and a good, internally consistent library is available, the library oriented method yie lds the best results. Neither Erdtmann & Soyka's gamma-ray catalogue nor Br owne and Firestone's Table of Radioactive Isotopes were found to be interna lly consistent enough in this respect. In the absence of a good library, it erative fitting with restricted peak width variation performs the best. The ultimate approach as yet to be implemented might be library-oriented fitti ng with allowed peak position variation according to the peak energy uncert ainty specified in the library. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.