Development of wavelet based tools for improving the γ-ray spectrometry

In this article, we propose a wavelet transform based tool to improve the use of gamma ray spectrometry as a nuclear technique. First, we attempt to study the problem of filtering the preamplifier´s output signals of HPGe detector used in the measurements chain. Thus, we developed a nonlinear method based on discrete Coiflet transform combined to principal component analysis, which allows a significant improvement of the signal to noise ratio (SNR) at the output of the HPGe preamplifier. In a second step, the continuous wavelet transform, based on the Mexican Hat mother function, is used to achieve an automatic processing of the spectrometric data. This method permits us to get an alternative representation of the gamma energy spectrum. The results of different tests, performed in both the presence and the absence of a gamma radiation source, are illustrated.