General Topics in Passive Gamma-Ray Assay

This chapter discusses general topics that apply to the gamma-ray assay techniques. These topics are fundamental for obtaining results, such as nuclide identification, isotopic composition, or mass, for any assay technique. Topics discussed in this chapter include, energy calibration and determination of peak position, energy resolution measurements, determination of full-energy-peak area, rate-related losses and corrections, effects of the inverse-square law, detector efficiency measurements, relative efficiency, nuclide-ratio measurements, and nuclide-activity measurements.