pulse height analysis

Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) is a technique used in radiation detection to measure the energy of individual particles or photons. When radiation hits a detector, it produces a small electrical pulse. The size of this pulse corresponds to the energy of the radiation. PHA involves measuring and sorting these pulses based on their height, or amplitude, to determine the energy distribution of the incoming radiation. This helps identify specific radioactive isotopes and understand radiation levels, making it a valuable tool in medical, environmental, and nuclear applications.