The detection of signals buried in noise

Abstract

This paper examines signal detection in the presence of noise, with a particular emphasis to the nuclear activation analysis. The problem is to decide what between the signal-plus-background and no-signal hypotheses fits better the data and to quantify the relevant signal amplitude or detection limit. Our solution is based on the use of Bayesian inferences to test the different hypotheses.

arXiv comment10 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, submitted to Metrologia

References in corpus (4)

• A Unified Approach to the Classical Statistical Analysis of Small Signals
• An accurate determination of the Avogadro constant by counting the atoms in a 28Si crystal
• Model selection in the average of inconsistent data: an analysis of the measured Planck-constant values
• Elemental characterization of the Avogadro silicon crystal WASO 04 by neutron activation analysis