New approach to detection limit determination in spectroscopy

Abstract We approach the problem of detection limits in photon or particle counting spectroscopy by first adopting a definite procedure for the integration of weak spectral lines (channel-by-channel integration) which is able to discriminate between the genuine and spurious spectral lines on the basis of a reasonable statistical criterion. The limiting intensity we then define as that intensity which is about the highest one to escape detection. This yields an analytical expression for the limiting intensity that may be sensibly used only after a particular region of the spectrum has been found void of genuine spectral lines by the use of the adopted integration algorithm.