Analysis of a gamma-ray spectrum by fitting the second derivative of the spectrum in its entirety

A method of analysing a gamma-ray spectrum by fitting the spectrum in its entirety is explored. The method involves the smoothed second derivative of the spectrum, and potential advantages include avoidance of the need to disentangle interfering gamma-ray lines from different radionuclides, and ease of identification of 'missing'lines. The method is most likely to be suitable for complex gamma-ray spectra in which lines from many radionuclides are present such as may arise at a high-power proton-accelerator-driven spallation neutron source.