FLINT | JCS Nuclear Solutions

FLINT delivers laboratory-grade gamma spectrometry in a remarkably compact and self-contained instrument. By integrating the detector, SiPM photomultiplier array, temperature-stabilised power supply and advanced digital MCA into one unit, FLINT removes the traditional complexity associated with spectrometer setup and transport.

With power and data provided via a single USB cable, FLINT can be deployed in minutes; whether on the laboratory bench, in a temporary experimental setup or during field surveys where space, time and environmental conditions are less predictable. Its thermally isolated construction and temperature-compensated electronics ensure stable spectral performance even as ambient conditions change.

FLINT is equally suited to teaching laboratories, routine monitoring and mobile measurement campaigns, giving users immediate access to high-quality spectral data without the logistical burden of multiple interconnected instruments. When supplied in PRO configurations with BrightSpec’s bGamma software, FLINT becomes a complete solution for gamma-ray spectrum analysis and radioisotope quantification.

Features at a glance

Compact and complete gamma‑ray spectrometer
Integrated scintillator detector (multiple sizes/materials) with SiPM arrays
Internally generated, temperature‑stabilised bias power supply
Full‑featured digital MCA
Up to 4096 channels with 32‑bit depth
Pulse‑Height Analysis (PHA) acquisition mode
Multi‑Channel Scaling (MCS) acquisition mode
Fully configurable digital trapezoidal shaper
Compact aluminium enclosure
USB connection for power, data and control
Basic acquisition and control software included
Optional bGamma full‑featured analysis software

Uses

Environmental radiation monitoring and baseline surveys
On‑site and field‑based gamma spectrometry
Support measurements for nuclear site operations and radiological protection
Teaching and training laboratories
Research experiments and temporary laboratory setups
OEM, systems integration and instrumentation development

Key use cases

1. Environmental radiation monitoring and baseline surveys

FLINT is well suited to in‑situ and sample‑based gamma spectrometry used to determine background radiation levels and track natural and anthropogenic radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, and decay products of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series. Compact NaI(Tl) spectrometers are widely used for routine environmental surveys due to their efficiency, portability and continuous operation without cryogenic cooling.

Typical contexts

Baseline characterisation around nuclear sites and facilities
Environmental surveillance programmes
Comparison of current measurements against historical datasets

2. On‑site and field‑based gamma spectrometry

Portable gamma spectrometers are commonly deployed directly at the point of measurement to reduce sample transport, improve responsiveness and support decision‑making during surveys. FLINT’s integrated design and USB power model align well with established field spectroscopy practices across nuclear, industrial and environmental applications.

Typical contexts

Site walk‑over surveys
Temporary or campaign‑based monitoring
Surveys in locations with limited infrastructure

3. Supporting nuclear site operations and radiological protection

Within the nuclear sector, gamma spectrometry is routinely used as a supporting measurement technique during normal operations, outages and investigation activities. NaI‑based systems are widely employed for qualitative and semi‑quantitative assessments where speed, robustness and ease of deployment are important.

Typical contexts

Support measurements during maintenance or decommissioning activities
Investigation of atypical radiation signatures
Training and rehearsal exercises for radiological teams

4. Teaching and training laboratories

Compact gamma spectrometers are extensively used in teaching laboratories to demonstrate fundamental principles of radiation detection, energy spectra, calibration and isotope identification. Integrated digital systems are particularly valued for their reliability and ease of use in instructional environments.

Typical contexts

University and postgraduate nuclear science courses
Health physics and radiation protection training
In‑house training within nuclear organisations

5. Research experiments and temporary laboratory setups

FLINT is well suited to research environments where gamma spectrometry is required as part of a broader experimental programme, but where space, time or infrastructure constraints make traditional multi‑rack systems impractical. Compact digital MCA‑based systems are increasingly used for this role across applied nuclear research and instrumentation testing.

Typical contexts

Bench‑top research measurements
Temporary or reconfigurable laboratory spaces
Detector, shielding or methodology development work

6. OEM, systems integration and instrumentation development

Modern gamma spectrometers are frequently embedded within larger systems — for example as part of mobile laboratories, monitoring platforms or bespoke instrumentation. FLINT’s integrated architecture and availability of programming libraries support this class of application without requiring users to design the full spectroscopy chain from discrete components.

Typical contexts

Integration into larger monitoring or analysis systems
Custom research instrumentation
Software‑driven measurement platforms

Specification

Category	Specification
Scintillator materials	NaI(Tl); CsI(Tl); CeBr3; LaBr3(Ce); LBC; SrI2
Standard scintillators	2x2 inch NaI(Tl); 3x3 inch NaI(Tl)
Energy resolution	Better than 7.6% at 661.7 keV (137Cs)
Low-energy noise	<15 keV
Channels	256–4096 channels
Channel depth	32-bit per channel
Digital shaping	Trapezoidal shaper (rise time 0.1–12 µs; flat top 0.1–8.0 µs)
Acquisition modes	PHA and MCS
Additional processing	Digital baseline restorer; pile-up rejector; noise filtering
Oscilloscope	Integrated digital oscilloscope
Bias power supply	Internally generated; temperature stabilised
Power	5 V via USB
Data interface	USB 2.0
Dimensions (FLINT-NAI-2)	57 mm diameter × 96 mm height
Dimensions (FLINT-NAI-3)	82 mm diameter × 121 mm height
Operating temperature	-10 °C to +60 °C
Certification	CE compliant
Software	Basic acquisition software included; optional bGamma

Standard Software

Our standard acquisition and spectrometry software is bundled with and can be used to connect to any of our Multi-Channel Analysers for managing operations such as setup, control, data acquisition and visualisation.

A digital oscilloscope function allows the user to monitor the input and filtered pulses to aid in fine-tuning the MCA parameters. The program also includes a few spectrometry-related functions for processing the spectral data such as calibration, ROI analysis and peak search.

Main features:

Control of the operation of the MCA device
Setup of acquisition parameters
Data acquisition in Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) and Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS) modes
Visualisation of the energy spectrum
Peak search and energy calibration
ROI-based spectrum analysis
Saving of acquired spectra into files in ASCII format
Generation of reports
Creation and use of nuclide libraries
Possibility of calling an external application for further spectrum processing at the click of a button

Extended Software

bGamma

Modern Gamma Spectroscopy Software

The new bGamma spectroscopy Software is an all-inclusive, modern software package for gamma-ray spectrum analysis, radionuclide identification and quantification. The software can analyse any recorded gamma-ray spectrum independently of the detector type, geometry or sample.

bGamma provides all the necessary tools and functionality for performing a detailed analysis of complex gamma-ray spectra and the corresponding radionuclide identification for the given sample.

“The new bGamma software is a comprehensive software package designed from the outset to bring gamma spectrum analysis up to modern requirements…”

Features Include:

Multi-document application
Controls data acquisition via detector-MCA setups
Implements several automatic peak search methods
Provides different methods for peaks’ continuum correction
Region of interest (ROI) calculations and automatic and/or manual marking
Energy and shape calibrations using comprehensive data input with visual interaction
Easy to perform and yet powerful efficiency calibration
Includes several powerful spectrum analysis fitting methods, including Bayesian fitting. This wide choice of analysis methods warranties the success and/or suitability of spectrum analysis for any kind of gamma-ray spectrum and analysis needs
Fitting and mathematical model parameters are at hand for their quick changes and optimisation
Advanced and modern GUI for superb spectrum and analysis results visualization

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