Digital signal processing based multi channel analyzer

Gamma Ray Spectrometry is an essential tool for mapping radio elemental concentrations and has found widespread applications in mineral exploration, geological mapping and environmental mapping. Spectrometry based on analog amplifiers with Gaussian pulse shaping has been used for more than 40 years. Digital electronics and digital signal processing methods have enhanced the spectrometer specifications. This paper presents the design and development of a FPGA based Gamma Ray Spectrometer featuring 1024 channel Multi Channel Analyser (MCA) with NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. The system shows significant improvements in energy resolution, count rate capability and dead time as compared to its analog counterpart. (author)