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A pulse-height spectrum is a graphical representation used in physics to analyze the energy distribution of detected radiation. When ionizing radiation interacts with a detector, it generates a signal pulse. The amplitude of this pulse is often proportional to the energy the radiation deposited in the detector.

Spectroscopy systems sort these pulses based on their amplitude, assigning them to specific channels that represent a narrow range of signal strengths. As more pulses are processed, a spectrum is built, showing the number of pulses within each amplitude range. Peaks in this spectrum typically indicate radiation of a specific energy that was detected. By analyzing the position and intensity of these peaks, scientists can determine the energy and intensity of the incident radiation. This technique is crucial for understanding the nature of radioactive sources and other radiation phenomena.12

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