| After a peak area has been measured it is important to
establish its statistical significance, taking into account the
uncertainties of the background as well as those associated with the peak.
The two main limits discussed are:
- Critical limit - this is a decision level to determine if the
net count is significant.
- Detection limit - the minimum number of counts that we can be
confident of detecting.
If the expected count is above the critical limit but below the
detection limit then we might detect the activity.
If the count is above the detection limit then it is very probable that
the activity would be detected.
Another limit to be investigated is the minimum detectable
activity. |
Definition of critical limit, LC
and detection limit, LD.
(The vertical axis represents the frequency of observing a particular
count) |
