In the TEM which operate at 100 keV or more are often occur the problem of processing pulses derived from the caputure of X-rays of very high energy. Under normal operation, the main amplifier is adjusted in the range 1-20 keV. Under microanalysis in the TEM sigificant number of high energy X-rays will strike detector which produce voltage pulses outside the allowed range (figure 1). These high energy pulses will produce electronic saturation and can lead to two undiserable effects: 1. loss of resolution and 2. incorrect operation of the dead time circuit.


Figure 1: Shematic illustration of signal saturation showing a
normal pulse and saturated pulse. Note transient "ringing" of
signal decayaing from satured condition.