Analysis of observational spectra

The first step in the analysis of gamma ray energy loss spectra is their conversion to differential energy and differential angular photon spectra. This conversion can be carried out if the detector response and the background are both known. Once these parameters are known, there are many techniques that can be used to convert pulse height spectra to photon spectra. These techniques are discussed and background problems are considered. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of energy loss spectra in the lower gamma ray energy domain. Problems of transportations from pulse height to photon space are most complex in this domain and the methods shown illustrate many of the problems which arise in the general analysis of energy loss spectra.