Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy SCA vs. MCA

[says]

A single-channel analyser (SCA) counts the number of voltage pulses whose height falls within an adjustable range.

A multi-channel analyser (MCA) sorts the pulses according to height and counts the number in each spectral window to give a spectral energy distribution.

Does this mean the resolution of spectrums with an MCA will be better than with a SCA? Are there any other advantages to using a MCA over a SCA? Are there any advantages to using a SCA over a MCA? I can't really think of any aside from resolution.

 

[jtbell]

An MCA is basically a collection of many SCAs operating in parallel, with each one set to a different window (or channel). It takes much less time to accumulate the data for a complete spectrum, than with a single SCA that has to accumulate the channels one at a time.

 

[gleem]

SCAs are useful in establishing coincidence between nuclear decays. It is better than most MCAs which must busy themselves digitizing many uninteresting events increasing the dead time.