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microDXP Technical Reference Manual
Version 3.15
October 7, 2019
57
4.6.2 Peak Sampling vs. Peak Sensing
The figures below demonstrate the two approaches. In
Peak Sensing
mode the slow filter
output is monitored over a finite interval of time, and the maximum value within that
interval is selected. The interval is set automatically, solely based on the values of the DXP
parameters SLOWLEN and PEAKINT. SLOWLEN and PEAKINT are both automatically
derived from the peaking time value selected in ProSpect and should normally not be
adjusted by the user. PEAKINT is also a pileup inspection parameter, as will be discussed
in further detail in §4.7.
Figure 4-7: In the default Peak Sensing mode the slow filter output is monitored and the peak
value is selected. This ‘automatic’ mode typically yields the best performance.
In
Peak Sampling
mode the slow filter output is instead sampled a fixed time after the x-
ray is detected. An additional timer is started when an x-ray step is detected which expires
after PEAKSAM clock cycles. PEAKSAM must be less than PEAKINT, and should
typically be set such that the sample point lies in the ‘flat-top’ region of the slow filter
output:
SLOWLEN ≤ PEAKSAM ≤ (S SLOWGAP)
Equation 4-8
The precise setting has a strong effect on energy resolution and should be determined
empirically for each new detector. In most cases
Peak Sensing
mode will yield the best
performance, and it is easier to use because there is one less setting to optimize.