Digital signal processing and zero-dead-time counting

One of the most recent developments in equipment for high and/or varying co unt rates, as encountered in the gamma-ray spectrometry needed for INAA via short-lived radionuclides, is the advent of EG&G Ortec's DSPECplus(TM). Th is all-in-one apparatus provides digital signal processing and zero-dead-ti me counting. One such DSPEC unit was tested at IRI with respect to performa nce as a function of count rate. Optimum parameter settings for different a pplications were established. It is concluded that this spectrometer allows for measurements with count rates up to at least 10(5) cps with an accurac y of a few percent (depending on the calibration approach), a peak position stability of 5(.)10(-3)%. and a peak width stability of 5%. It is also con cluded that the normal spectrum provides a good estimate for the uncertaint ies in the zero-dead-time spectrum acquired with this spectrometer.