Temperature peak-shift correction methods for NaI(Tl) and LaBr3(Ce) gamma-ray spectrum stabilisation

NaI(Tl) and LaBr3(Ce) detectors are frequently operated under unstable temperature conditions when used in an open environment. These temperature changes result in a peak shift and spectral distortion during measurement. Two methods are proposed to stabilise the measured spectra; they are applied using a software algorithm, without the necessity of adjusting the gain. Both methods are based on the experimental observation that the relative channel displacement due to temperature changes is approximately the same for all channels. The first method corrects the spectrum using experimental data obtained under controlled conditions in the laboratory, and thus it only depends on the detector temperature. The second method uses one known peak in the spectrum to correct all of the channels: the NORM K-40 peak for the NaI(Tl) detector, the internal contaminant peak of La-138 for the LaBr3(Ce), or an external source when these two cannot be easily identified. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.