ABSTRACT
In certain measurements, the particles do not stop in the detector, but they go through it and emerge with only a fraction of their energy deposited in the detector. This chapter discusses the subjects of energy loss and straggling, PHD, energy calibration methods, and source preparation, from the point of view of their effect on spectroscopy. For spectroscopy measurements, only energy straggling is important. The best energy resolution for electrons is obtained using silicon semiconductor detectors, with the possible exception of magnetic spectrometers. The energy calibration of any spectrometer requires the use of sources of known energy and preferably of mono-energetic sources. Spectroscopy of alpha particles has been studied extensively primarily because of the naturally occurring radionuclides in the environment, nuclear fuel cycle, and the potential impact that actinides have on the environment. Monoenergetic heavy ions necessary for energy calibration can be provided only by accelerators. .
