A new alternative singles rate dead time correction algorithm for use in neutron multiplicity analysis

In this article we extend the neutron multiplicity counting dead time correction scheme devised by Dytlewski to include Singles. In this way a self consistent, item specific, Singles dead time correction is obtained under the same physical assumptions and approximations as are used for the Doubles and Triples corrections. This correction for the Singles count rate also affects the Doubles and Triples dead time correction because it is also the correction needed for the number of coincidence gates opened. We develop the new dead time formula, which we call the Croft–Dytlewski formula, as an action on the Accidentals histogram, and apply it to simulated pulse train data for which the correct results are known. The new formula was found to perform better than the standard ad-hoc Dytlewski Singles dead time correction formula, particularly for highly correlated high count rate items.