# US 2014/0197324 A1 · Methods to enhance nuclear spectroscopy analysis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197324 A1 - Document ID: US20140197324A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/739,448 - Filed: 2013-01-11 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated - Inventors: Freddy E. MENDEZ; Gary A. FEUERBACHER; John M. LONGO; Maxim VASILYEV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197324A1 ## CPC - G01T 1/36: Measuring spectral distribution of X-rays or of nuclear radiation {spectrometry (pulse selection circuits per se H03K; investigation of materials by radiation diffraction G01N23/20; spectrometer tubes H01J49/00)} - G01V 5/101: {and detecting the secondary Y-rays produced in the surrounding layers of the bore hole} - G01V 5/12: using gamma or X-ray sources {(gamma sources using isotopes G21G4/00; X-ray tubes H01J35/00)} - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract Methods, systems and devices for estimating a parameter of interest from a gamma ray spectrum relating to a volume of matter using standard gamma ray spectra from reference samples, wherein there is at least one non-elemental characteristic that is different between the volume and at least one of the reference samples, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference affects gamma ray interactions. Methods may include deconvolving a gamma ray spectrum obtained from the analysis volume into a plurality of elemental spectral yields, wherein deconvolution includes compensating for effects of the non-elemental characteristic difference. Methods may include using at least one compensation standard spectrum configured to compensate for the effects of the non-elemental characteristic of the at least one of the reference samples. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for estimating at least one parameter of interest from a gamma ray spectrum relating to a volume of matter using standard gamma ray spectra from reference samples, wherein there is at least one non-elemental characteristic that is different between the volume and at least one of the reference samples, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference affects gamma ray interactions, the method comprising: deconvolving a gamma ray spectrum obtained from the analysis volume into a plurality of elemental spectral yields, wherein deconvolution includes compensating for effects of the non-elemental characteristic difference. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter of interest is the concentration of at least one chemical element in the analysis volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter of interest is a physical characteristic of the analysis volume. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising using at least one compensation standard spectrum configured to compensate for the effects of the non-elemental characteristic of the at least one of the reference samples. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising using at least one compensation standard spectrum for each reference sample of the reference samples. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein deconvolving the spectrum further comprises determining a best fit to the spectrum using a combination of the standard spectra and at least one compensation standard spectrum. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein deconvolving the response spectrum further comprises using a modified response spectrum and one or more modified standard spectra. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein deconvolving the response spectrum further comprises using at least one compensation standard spectrum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein deconvolving the response spectrum further comprises determining a best fit to the response spectrum using a combination of the one or more modified standard spectra and the modified response spectrum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein deconvolving the response spectrum further comprises using one of i) a linear; and ii) a non-linear weighted least squared error minimization technique. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the gamma ray interactions include at least one of i) Compton scattering, ii) photoelectric effect, and iii) pair production. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference is related to sample lithology. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference is related to at least one of density and porosity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the response spectrum spans a continuous energy range including photo peaks at characteristic energies associated with the respective reference samples. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the response spectrum spans a continuous energy range between 100 keV and 10 MeV. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the response spectrum for the volume of interest. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the response spectrum for the volume of interest further comprises making a gamma ray measurement using a gamma ray tool. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the interactions include at least one of i) Compton scattering, ii) photoelectric effect, and iii) pair production. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the parameter of interest relates to elemental composition of the volume. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the volume comprises a portion of at least one of i) an earth formation; ii) a human body; iii) an animal body; iv) plant matter; v) an inanimate object. ### Claim 21 An apparatus for estimating at least one parameter of interest from a gamma ray spectrum relating to a volume of matter using standard gamma ray spectra from reference samples, wherein there is at least one non-elemental characteristic that is different between the volume and at least one of the reference samples, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference affects gamma ray interactions, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to: deconvolve a gamma ray spectrum obtained from the analysis volume into a plurality of elemental spectral yields, wherein deconvolution includes compensating for effects of the non-elemental characteristic difference. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to use at least one compensation standard spectrum configured to compensate for the effects of the non-elemental characteristic of the at least one of the reference samples. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to use a modified response spectrum and one or more modified standard spectra for deconvolution.