Patent ID: 6061641
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A method for improving the response discrimination of a signal detection instrument, the method comprising the steps of:a.) detecting and dispersing a random signal, said dispersed signal comprising an energy emission spectrum, each said spectrum further comprising a background signal intensity and a one or more discrete spectral lines, said lines consisting of sharp peaks in said background signal intensity, each said peak having an absolute signal intensity greater than said background signal intensity;b.) electronically digitizing and storing each said spectrum;c.) repeating steps a.) and b.) until a predetermined number of spectra have been stored;d.) computing a time-averaged signal spectrum comprising an arithmetic average of said plurality of stored spectra;e.) providing a known spectrum for comparison, said known spectrum having a known spectral line;f.) selecting an analysis region common to both said plurality of stored spectra and to said known spectra, said region chosen to contain said known spectral line;g.) computing a signal threshold value in said analysis region of said time-averaged spectrum; andh.) performing a conditional analysis in said analysis region in each of said stored spectra, said analysis for preferentially selecting those said spectra having a signal intensity value which exceeds said signal threshold value.