Digital signal processing and algorithms for gamma-ray tracking

Gamma-ray tracking is a new concept to improve efficiency and sensitivity of the next generation, high resolution γ-ray spectrometers. Tracing multiple scattered γ-rays inside an array of large volume composite, segmented Ge-detectors, the photo energies of the individual γ-rays and their incident directions can be precisely reconstructed. This results in an improved efficiency and peak-to-total ratio, and a reduced Doppler-broadening. The reconstruction efficiency depends on how accurate the positions, where the γ-rays interact with the Ge-crystals, can be localized. Novel digital signal processing hardware modules and related software algorithms are described, which allow an on-line determination of the energies, times, and interaction positions of the γ-rays by analyzing the shapes of the charge signals induced on the segments