A practical approach to ballistic deficit correction

A method of ballistic deficit correction is presented which relies on the relative amplitudes of the unipolar quasi-Gaussian signal and its bipolar first-derivative. This ballistic deficit correction scheme was evaluated using both small (20%) and large (110%) volume p-type closed-end coaxial detectors in conjunction with a signal processor having a 2 μs peaking time. The dramatic improvements in the spectral energy resolution and peak shape, along with the simplicity of the correction circuit, make this the method of choice for ballistic deficit correction. System throughput can be increased by a factor of ten without a significant penalty in the ultimate resolution of the detection system