OSSE Spectral Analysis Techniques
Abstract
Analysis of spectra from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) is complicated because of the typically low signal-to-noise (0.1%) and the large background variability. The OSSE instrument was designed to address these di culties by periodically o set-pointing the detectors from the source to perform background measurements. These background measurements are used to estimate the background during each of the source observations. The resulting background- subtracted spectra can then be accumulated and tted for spectral lines and/or continua. Data selection based on various environmental parameters can be performed at several stages during the analysis procedure. In order to achieve the instrument's statistical sensitivity, however, it will be necessary for investigators to develop a detailed understanding of the instrument operation, data collection, and the background spectrum and its variability. A brief description of the major steps in the OSSE spectral analysis process will be described, including a discussion of the OSSE background spectrum and examples of several observation strategies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA461942
Entities
People
- David A. Grabelsky
- G. V. Jungx
- J. D. Kurfessz
- K. M. Browny
- M. S. Strickmanz
- Melville P. Ulmer
- R. A. Kroegerz
- R. L. Kinzerz
- S. M. Matz
- W. N. Johnsonz
- William R. Purcell
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory