A wavelet filtering method for cumulative gamma spectroscopy used in wear measurements

Abstract Continuous ultra-mild wear quantification using radioactive isotopes involves measuring very low amounts of activity in limited time intervals. This results in gamma spectra with poor signal-to-noise ratio and hence very scattered wear data, especially during running-in, where wear is intrinsically low. Therefore, advanced filtering methods reducing the wear data scattering and making the calculation of the main peak area more accurate are mandatory. An energy-time dependent threshold for wavelet detail coefficients based on Poisson statistics and using a combined Barwell law for the estimation of the average photon counting rate is then introduced. In this manner, it was shown that the accuracy of running-in wear quantification is enhanced.