  A method that uses fuzzy clustering algorithms to achieve particle
identification based on pulse shape analysis is presented. The fuzzy c-means
clustering algorithm is used to compute mean (principal) pulse shapes induced
by different particle species in an automatic and unsupervised fashion from a
mixed set of data. A discrimination amplitude is proposed using these principal
pulse shapes to identify the originating particle species of a detector pulse.
Since this method does not make any assumptions about the specific features of
the pulse shapes, it is very generic and suitable for multiple types of
detectors. The method is applied to discriminate between photon- and
proton-induced signals in CsI(Tl) scintillator detectors and the results are
compared to the well-known integration method.
