The light yield nonproportionality component of scintillator energy resolution

Abstract

The scintillator energy resolution component which is due to light yield nonproportionality has been characterized for NaI(Tl) and LSO. Results are based on a discrete convolution of measured electron response data and the electron energy distribution resulting from full-energy absorption events. The behavior of this energy resolution component as a function of energy is observed to be strongly dependent on the shape of the electron response. Furthermore, in some energy regions, the light yield nonproportionality component is observed to be larger than the resolution predicted by assuming Poisson photoelectron statistics. Characterization of this energy resolution component will facilitate deconvolution of other components from the total energy resolution.