A Direct-Coupled Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for High Counting Rates

The full potential of high-resolution gamma-ray spectronetry with Ge(Li) detectors has been severely limited by degradation in the quality of the pulse-height spectrum at high input data rates. A direct-coupled system featuring peak pile-up rejection, tail pile-up rejection (baseline inspection), RC shaping and, uniquely, no baseline restoration or primary pulse train delay has been built. This paper will present system results in terms of gamma-ray spectra as well as system philosophy and circuit design.