Dead-time correction for any multiplicity using list mode neutron multiplicity counters: A new approach – Low and medium count-rates

In the field of neutron multiplicity counting, modern list mode counters provide increased possibilities for neutron data analysis. Here a new method to correct dead-time using a multichannel list mode neutron counter is described. As it will become clear in this article, the data analysis can be done “on the fly” without further data storage. This will allow an instrument to be built having this method implemented, which will give directly dead-time corrected results. In practice, a classical theory of dead-time correction is applied to the final Totals, Reals (or Doubles) and possibly Triples, whereas for higher multiplicities no dead-time correction has been implemented so far. In contrast to that, this approach directly corrects the multiplicity distributions of the Reals plus Accidentals (R + A) and Accidentals (A) obtained by multiplicity counting. Hence this dead-time correction holds for any kind of multiplicity (Totals, Doubles, Triples, Quadruples, Quintuples, etc.) because the calculation of these values can then be derived directly from the corrected multiplicity distribution of R + A and A.