A Multichannel Pulse-Height Analysis System Utilizing a 35-mm Film Record

Abstract

A system is described for obtaining quantitative amplitude distribution data for events which can be displayed as proportional voltage pulses for visual observation on a cathode-ray oscilloscope. The use of a circuit which intensifies the top of each flattened pulse during display permits photographing the events as dots on a moving 35-mm film at rates of 20 000 per sec or greater. An automatic electromechanical ``reader'' is described which will scan the resulting film and produce a printed record of the number of events in each of 100 discrete ``channels'' with an accuracy comparable to the best available from other ``kicksorting'' schemes. A spectrum of over 500 000 events can be recorded on 100 feet of film.