Systems and methods for compton scatter and/or pulse pileup detection

A method for reducing Compton scatter contributions or pileup signal contributions to detected signals comprising:

• detecting incident radiation using a first detector system outputting a first analog detector signal;
• detecting incident radiation scattered by the first detector system using a second detector system positioned around the first detector system, wherein the second detector system outputs a second analog detector signal, and wherein a signal shape of the second analog detector signal differs from a signal shape of the first analog detector signal;
• combining the first analog detector signal and the second analog detector signal, using a summing circuit or signal combination wiring, before digitizing either the first analog detector signal or the second analog detector signal to form a combined analog signal;
• digitizing, using at least one digitizer, the combined analog signal to create a digitized output signal defined by a digitized output signal waveform;
• using at least one processor, analyzing the digitized output signal waveform to determine a presence or an absence of a Compton scatter signal or a presence of an absence of a pileup signal, wherein a shape of the digitized output signal waveform is indicative of the presence or the absence of the Compton scatter signal or is indicative of the presence or the absence of the pileup signal;
• and
• accepting the digitized output signal if the Compton scatter signal and the pileup signal are absent or rejecting the digitized output signal if the Compton signal or the pileup signal is present.