The following is a portion of a gamma-ray pulse height spectrum recorded using a germanium detector and MCA:

It can be assumed that the data consist of a constant background plus a Gaussian-shaped peak. (a) Plot the data and estimate the constant background level. Find the net number of counts under the peak by direct summation. Estimate the centroid location of the peak (to the nearest tenth of a channel). Estimate the FWHM of the peak.

In the above gamma-ray pulse height spectrum problem, fit the net counts in the region of the peak with a Gaussian function using an available software fitting routine. Obtain the resulting peak area, centroid, and standard deviation, and compare with the results of the above problem.

Channel Channel Counts Counts Number Number 711 246 720 1635 712 232 221 223 245 285 406 7211 1733 713 714 715 716 717 718 722 1411 723 915 491 724 725 303 253 726 727 733 1182 224 719 728 232