Difference between revisions of "Purity"
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| − | The '''purity''' of a [[sample]] is defined as the fraction of [[Event|events]] or [[Object|objects]] that are of the desired type. For instance, an [[electron]] sample containing 98% [[genuine]] electrons and 2% muons has a purity of 98%. [[Analysis|Analyses]] usually strive for high-purity samples. | + | The '''purity''' of a [[sample]] is defined as the fraction of [[Event|events]] or [[Object|objects]] that are of the desired type. For instance, an [[electron]] sample containing 98% [[genuine]] electrons and 2% muons has a purity of 98%. [[Analysis|Analyses]] usually strive for high-purity samples. In practice, the purity that it is feasible to achieve must be balanced against the selection [[efficiency]]: in general, one wants high efficiency and purity, but it is often not possible to increase one without decreasing the other. |
The opposite of purity is '''contamination''', which can be defined as 1 – purity. | The opposite of purity is '''contamination''', which can be defined as 1 – purity. | ||
Revision as of 20:08, 14 March 2016
The purity of a sample is defined as the fraction of events or objects that are of the desired type. For instance, an electron sample containing 98% genuine electrons and 2% muons has a purity of 98%. Analyses usually strive for high-purity samples. In practice, the purity that it is feasible to achieve must be balanced against the selection efficiency: in general, one wants high efficiency and purity, but it is often not possible to increase one without decreasing the other.
The opposite of purity is contamination, which can be defined as 1 – purity.
