X-Stream Operator’s Manual 
WM-OM-E Rev I  145 
Histogram Parameters 
fwhm  Full Width at Half Maximum 
Definition: 
Determines the width of the largest area peak, measured between bins on either 
side of the highest bin in the peak that have a population of half the highest's 
population. If several peaks have an area equal to the maximum population, the 
leftmost peak is used in the computation.  
Description: 
First, the highest population peak is identified and the height of its highest bin 
(population) determined (for a discussion on how peaks are determined see the 
pks parameter Description:). Next, the populations of bins to the right and left are 
found, until a bin on each side is found to have a population of less than 50% of 
that of the highest bin's. A line is calculated on each side, from the center point of 
the first bin below the 50% population to that of the adjacent bin, towards the 
highest bin. The intersection points of these lines with the 50% height value is 
then determined. The length of a line connecting the intersection points is the 
value for fwhm.  
Example: