Topaz-SiPM | JCS Nuclear Solutions

The Topaz-SiPM is a miniature MCA designed specifically for SiPM detectors. With a size of only 7 x 4.5 x 2.6cm, the Topaz-SiPM is the smallest of the Topaz MCA series and very likely the smallest full-featured MCA on the market today.

Introduction

TOPAZ-SiPM is a compact, stand-alone digital Multi-Channel Analyser (MCA), that is able to perform Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) of the signal produced by scintillation detectors which incorporates Si devices as photomultipliers (SiPMs). These type of scintillators can use standard crystals such as NaI(Tl), CsI(Tl), BGO, LaBr3 (Ce), LaCl3(Ce), etc.

The device is useful for obtaining the energy spectrum from the photon radiation detected by the scintillator detector and can be easily interfaced to a typical PC or notebook via a standard USB port for further data transfer and analysis.

A “free-to-download” basic software is provided with the device, but this spectroscopy device is compatible with our fully featured gamma-ray spectrum analysis software— bGAMMA.

A set of programming libraries is also offered, which makes the incorporation of the TOPAZ-SiPM into existing radiation systems or setups very easy. The programming libraries are available for both MS Windows and Linux operating systems.

The device is available either in a rugged, pocket-size aluminium box with input and output connectors, or it is available as a separate Printed-Circuit Board (PCB) for OEM distribution.

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.

Features at a glance

Two modes of acquisition: Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) and Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS)
Up to 4096 channels
Analogue amplification factor from 1 to 16
Digital pulse processing using the traditional trapezoidal shaper
Built-in digital Baseline Restorer (BLR) and Pile-Up Rejector (PUR)
Advanced baseline noise reduction techniques to improve performance with noisy SiPMs
5V low-ripple, low-noise supply for the SiPM preamplifier
Additional programmable External I/O can be used as an external counter input or SCA output
USB 2.0 communications interface
Powered from the PC via the USB cable
Size: 70 x 45 x 26mm, PCB alone is 63 x 39mm

Description

The TOPAZ-SiPM is an advanced, fully digital, miniature, and compact Multi-Channel Analyser. This device is used to process the electronic pulses produced by a Si-device as photomultiplier which is coupled to a scintillator detector. Such detectors are commonly used in the detection of gamma-ray radiation due to their high detection efficiency, medium energy resolution and relatively low price.

The MCA implements two modes of data acquisition: Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) and Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS). PHA mode is regularly used in nuclear spectrometry and radiometry, while MCS is used to follow photon detection in particular specific energy regions in the function of time.

MCS acquisition mode is useful in both laboratory and industrial applications which make use of radioactive sources or seek for radioactive materials.

The TOPAZ-SiPM design makes use of the latest advances in digital electronics. Its footprint (both PCB and boxed version) are minimal sizes, yet it still provides a large range of selection of settings and device capabilities, which warrants its exceptional spectroscopy performance independently from the scintillator being connected. The device automatically provides the necessary power for the SiPM to operate. The MCA has a spectral memory size of up to 4096 channels and can perform MCS in addition to PHA.

The MCA comes with a basic and free-to-download software package which allows the user to control and acquire the energy spectrum and perform a few basic visualisation and spectrum computations.

The TOPAZ-SiPM MCA is fully supported and compatible by our fully-featured gamma-ray spectrum analysis software bGAMMA.

The MCA is cased into a rugged miniature aluminium box with one input connector (detector signal) and output/control connector (USB mini type B). Additionally, the MCA has an extra connection for programmable input/output signals (GPIO). The functionality of the GPIO port can be conveniently set using the bMCA or bGamma software.

A set of programming libraries can be requested for interfacing this device into existing instruments or software. This SDK is available for Windows and Lin

The TOPAZ-SiPM is an advanced, fully digital, miniature, and compact Multi-Channel Analyzer. This device is used to process the electronic pulses produced by a Si-device as photomultiplier which is coupled to a scintillator detector. Such detectors are commonly used in the detection of gamma-ray radiation due to their high detection efficiency, medium energy resolution and relatively low price.

Specification

Item	Data
PHA acquisition mode	Spectral memory size of 256, 512, 1024, 2048 and 4096 channels
	Coarse gain with amplification factors of 1, 2, 4 and 8. Fine gain from 1 to 2 in steps of 1/4096
	Upper and Lower Level Discriminator settings given in channels
MCS acquisition mode	Spectral memory size of 256, 512, 1024, 2048 and 4096 channels
	Dwell time from 0.1 sec to “count-forever”
	Easy to setup from ROIs or nuclide information.
Digital Settings	Rise Time: from 0.1 to 12 μsec in steps of 0.2 μsec
	Flat Top: from 0.1 to 8.0 μsec in steps of 0.1 μsec
	Threshold: 1 to 255
	Digital Base Line Restorer (BLR)
	Pile-Up Rejector (PUR)
Preamp Power Supply	Provision of necessary voltage supply to operate the SiPM preamplifier of the detector: 5V 200 mA
Data communication	USB 2.0, cable (standardly 1.5 m length) included
Physical	MCA box: length 70 mm, width 45 mm, height 26 mm
	PCB only: 63 mm x 39 mm
	Weight: less than 70 grams (including box)
Connectors :	USB type mini B (to computer)
	Lemo connector. Type ERN.03.302.CLL for both detector signal and SiPM power
	Lemo connector Type ERN.00.250.CTL for GPIO
Indicators:	Yellow LED for incoming count rate (ICR)
	Green LED for power and communication status
Other	Device is supplied with a basic software to control operation, data acquisition and visualization.
	Full featured gamma-ray spectroscopy software—bGAMMA (optional)
	Necessary programming libraries for Microsoft Windows and Linux (upon request)
Certifications	The device is CE compliant
Document Version	1.01, Date: 11 2019

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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