Dead Time Calculator

This tool calculates the true count rate of a detector by correcting for the dead time effect, which is significant at high radiation levels.

Observed Count Rate ($n$, cps)

Detector Dead Time ($\tau$, $\mu$s)

Results

True Count Rate ($N$): 0 cps

Correction Factor: 0

Underlying Principles of Dead Time

Dead time is the period following the detection of an event during which a detector is unable to detect a subsequent event. This phenomenon becomes significant at high count rates, where a portion of incoming particles is missed.

This calculator is particularly useful for slow detectors like GM (Geiger-Müller) counters, where the dead time effect is significant. However, the dead time effect can also occur in high-speed detectors, such as scintillation or semiconductor detectors, if the count rate is high. Therefore, dead time correction is an essential consideration for accurate measurement in all radiation counting applications.

$$N = \frac{n}{1 - n\tau}$$

Where:

$N$: True count rate (events per second)
$n$: Observed count rate (counts per second)
$\tau$: Dead time of the detector (in seconds)