Introducing FLINT: A modern, integrated approach to gamma spectrometry 

A complete gamma spectrometer — scintillation detector, silicon photomultiplier array, temperature‑stabilised bias supply and full‑featured digital multichannel analyser — integrated into a single USB‑powered enclosure. Available in the UK from JCS Nuclear Solutions.

Gamma spectrometry has traditionally been implemented using a chain of dedicated instruments — detector, photomultiplier, high‑voltage supply, signal‑processing electronics and multichannel analyser — assembled and configured to suit a particular application. This modular approach remains powerful and flexible, particularly in stable, fixed laboratory environments.

FLINT takes a modern alternative approach: integrating the entire spectrometer chain into a single, compact instrument, without compromising measurement performance or configurability. The scintillation detector, silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array, temperature‑stabilised bias supply and full digital MCA are housed within one thermally isolated aluminium enclosure, connected to the host computer via a single USB cable that provides both power and data.

The result is a gamma‑ray spectrometer that is quick to deploy, straightforward to transport and inherently robust. By eliminating external signal and power cabling, FLINT simplifies setup and reduces opportunities for noise pickup and drift — advantages that are particularly valuable in field surveys, temporary measurement campaigns and experimental setups where space or environmental conditions are less controlled.

Integration in FLINT is achieved without compromise to spectroscopy performance. The instrument specifications are consistent with those of a discrete BrightSpec detector and electronics chain, while benefiting from reduced internal noise and improved thermal stability.

Standard FLINT configurations employ cylindrical NaI(Tl) scintillators: 51 mm × 51 mm (2″ × 2″) in the FLINT‑NAI‑2 and 76 mm × 76 mm (3″ × 3″) in the FLINT‑NAI‑3. Energy resolution at the 661.7 keV photopeak of ¹³⁷Cs is specified as better than 7.6%, with low‑energy electronic noise below 15 keV. Alternative scintillator materials — including CsI(Tl), CeBr₃, LaBr₃(Ce), LBC and SrI₂ — are available on request.

The integrated digital MCA provides up to 4096 channels with 32‑bit depth per channel. Pulse processing is performed using a fully configurable digital trapezoidal shaper (rise time 0.1–12 µs; flat top 0.1–8.0 µs), supported by a digital baseline restorer, advanced pile‑up rejection and user‑configurable noise filtering and thresholds. Both Pulse‑Height Analysis (PHA) and Multi‑Channel Scaling (MCS) acquisition modes are supported, with an integrated digital oscilloscope available for setup and diagnostics.

An internally generated, temperature‑compensated bias supply minimises photopeak shift and energy‑resolution drift across the operational temperature range. FLINT is powered directly from the 5 V USB bus and requires no external mains supply.

A basic acquisition and spectrum‑visualisation software package is supplied with every FLINT as standard. The PRO configurations — FLINT‑NAI‑2‑PRO and FLINT‑NAI‑3‑PRO — additionally include a single licence of bGamma, BrightSpec’s full‑featured gamma‑ray spectrum analysis and radioisotope quantification software, supplied as a cost‑effective bundle.

FLINT is CE certified and rated for continuous operation over an ambient temperature range of –10 °C to +60 °C.

JCS Nuclear Solutions is the UK representative for BrightSpec, working in close technical collaboration with the BrightSpec engineering team in Belgium. JCS supports customers across the UK research, industrial and nuclear sectors with system specification, supply, commissioning, calibration support and ongoing technical assistance throughout the instrument lifecycle.

For application discussions, scintillator‑material selection guidance, system‑configuration advice or formal quotation requests, please contact the JCS technical sales team.