A Markov Chain approach for deriving the statistics of time-correlated pulses in the presence of non-extendible dead time

The problem of deriving the statistics of time-correlated detector pulses in the presence of a non-extendible dead time is studied by constructing a Markov Chain to describe the process. Expressions for the transition matrix are derived for problems in the passive neutron assay of Pu and (zero-power) reactor noise. Perturbative and numerical solutions of the master equations are discussed for a simple problem in the passive neutron assay of Pu. Expressions for the mean count rate and variance in a given interval are derived. (Author)