Digital signal processing and algorithms for /spl gamma/-ray tracking

Gamma-ray tracking is a new concept to improve efficiency and sensitivity of the next generation, high resolution /spl gamma/-ray spectrometers. Tracing multiple scattered /spl gamma/-rays inside an array of large volume composite, segmented Ge-detectors, the photo energies of the individual /spl gamma/-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 /spl gamma/-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 /spl gamma/-rays by analyzing the shapes of the charge signals induced on the segments.