ALFIT: a code for the analysis of low statistic alpha-particle spectra from silicon semiconductor detectors

A code for the application of the most usual algorithms to the analysis of alpha spectra from semiconductor detectors has been developed. The program is designed to obtain the activity of any alpha emitter radionuclide over a wide range of deposit quality, so that no special requirements concerning the source composition and its preparation are necessary. Some interactive steps are introduced to define the system in study. gh the program is of general application, some criteria and options are considered in order to reach a valid solution, mainly alpha sources from environmental samples. Due to statistical considerations, the smallest peaks must be constrained in position and areas related to the most intensive emission for each radionuclide present in the interval analyzed. Such criteria and options constrain the solutions of the fitting processes, in agreement with the expected relationships between the different emissions of the alpha radionuclides, and enhance the accuracy of the results.