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tail pulse
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tail pulse

physics
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The term "tail pulse" in physics refers to a specific type of electrical pulse generated by radiation detectors. When a quantum of radiation interacts with a detector material, it liberates a certain amount of charge. This charge is collected over a short period, creating a current burst. In the "pulse mode" of operation, each individual radiation quantum produces a distinct electrical pulse.

A "tail pulse" is a voltage pulse observed from a preamplifier. It rises as charge is collected, reaches a maximum amplitude proportional to the charge (Q) and inversely proportional to the circuit's capacitance (C), and then decays exponentially. This pulse shape is characteristic of many common radiation detectors and is crucial for analyzing individual radiation events. The term "tail" in "tail pulse" refers to the exponential decay portion of the pulse.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. tail
  2. radiation measurement - Pulse mode

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