Review of recent gamma spectrum unfolding algorithms and their application

Abstract Gamma spectrum analysis is regarded as a fast, reliable and non-destructive technology on determining the type and intensity of radionuclides. It is widely used in nuclear physics research, geological exploration, environmental assessment. Under the certain condition (detector, electronic components and measuring environment), the data obtained by different unfolding algorithms have different results. The accuracy of qualitative and quantitative analysis of radionuclides is determined by gamma spectrum unfolding technique. This paper mainly analyzes the development and application of the gamma spectrum unfolding algorithms and technologies in denoising, background subtraction and overlapping peak separation, reviews the performances, results and highlights of the typical algorithms, discusses representative examples and proposes potential research directions.