MINIMIZING THE TOTAL ERROR OF GAMMA-RAY METHODS OF CHECKING THE COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTANCES

A study is conducted with the goal of systematically reducing the tota l error of gamma-ray methods of material inspection. The total error i s minimized by correctly specifying the methodological, instrument, an d random errors and the error associated with the representativeness o f the results. These errors should be close to one another and equal t he total error. Steps in the determination of these errors and means o f efficiently reducing each of them are described in succession. Also described is a method of simultaneously reducing the methodological, i nstrument, and random errors by employing the ratio of two signals. Th e amplitude of the first signal increases and the amplitude of the sec ond decreases as the test parameter increases in value.