Probabilistic uncertainty estimator for gamma-spectroscopy measurements

To properly interpret the quality of a gamma-spectroscopy measurement, an uncertainty estimate must be made. The uncertainty in the efficiency calibration is the dominant component to the total propagated measurement uncertainty for many types of measurements. Any deviations between the as-calibrated geometry and the as-measured geometry contribute to the total uncertainty. A mathematical technique has been developed to evaluate the variations between calibration and measurement conditions. A sensitivity analysis mode identifies those variables with the largest contribution to the uncertainty. The uncertainty mode uses probabilistic techniques for the combined variables to compute average efficiency and uncertainty, and then to propagate those values with the gamma-spectroscopic analysis into the final result for that sample. (author)