• Modern Multichannel Analysers
• Differentiators
• Practical SiPM operation
• Embed the power of AI/ML
• Efficient and practical neutron detectors

Product

• A whole family for PMT/SiPM/CZT
• Three speed grades & price ranges
• Spectroscopy, neutron detectors
• Customizable software & capabilities

Applications

• Industry, security, and space
• Mining, environment
• Portal monitors for Ports and Borders security
• Consumer products

Features

• Embedded ARM processor;
  secure NN for PSD and RIID
• Autonomous DAQ and storage w/out host computer
• Embedded software for gain stabilization,
  Background subtraction and statistical data analysis,
  Data analysis, Deep learning NN for RIID
• Negligible power draw (75mW to 300mW)

Drone flight, unattended operation

• Autonomous DAQ; embedded gain stabilization
• Store thousands of energy spectra in flash memory
• Read data when retrieving device
• 20Whr Li-Ion pack will last for 72 hrs to 200 hrs

Low-background sample counting

• No wasted volume with SiPM MCA
• Low-volume lead shield ⇒ low cost, better mobility
• Embedded statistical analysis minimizes counting time.

Inexpensive pedestrian/vehicle monitor

• Autonomous operation, w/out host computer
• Automatic background tracking
• Programmable statistics to compute alarms
• 20Whr Li-Ion pack lasts 200 hrs

Space and Research

• Superspeed PMT/SiPM-3000
• Multilayer NN PSD
• Custom enhanced list mode acquisition

Classic

• PMT-1K/2K/3K
• MCA for PMT+Scintillator
• PMT plug-on with high voltage unit included.
• Transistorized HV-divider immune to high loads.
• Several PMT pinouts are supported.

Modern

• SiPM-1K/2K/3K
• MCA for SiPM+Scintillator
• Lowest trigger threshold
• Easy to gain-stabilize
• Ideal for mobile, drones, low-background

Semiconductor

• CZT-2K for CdZnTe
• Includes high voltage and ± 12V supply

High Speed PMT-2000

• The workhorse; Good for NaI, CsI, SrI2, PVT
• 650kcps into the energy histogram
• Autonomous gain stabilization; with LED
• PSD for α/β, neutron/gamma counters
• List mode with programmable time resolution
• Cryptographically protected software

Low Speed PMT-1000

• Half-price version; without PSD, listmode
• 160kcps into the histogram
• Full suite of embedded intelligence

Super Speed PMT-3000

• Super-speed MCA with research-grade capabilities
• High-speed ADC for LaBr₃
  > 4Mcps count rate
• Two-bank histogram memory for
  loss-less data acquisition
• Enhanced list modes for space and research
• Multi-layer NN for enhanced PSD

Communication

• USB: 3m, RS-232: 20m, RS-485: >500m
• Hosts: Computers, RaspberryPi, micro-controllers

High precision

• Easy to gain stabilize
• Low noise and trigger threshold

Small and light weight

• Save lead weight for low-background counting
• Light payload for drone flights

Operation

• Safe: No high voltage
• Replace scintillator in the field.

Can assembly

• NaI-canned crystal is surrounded by protective can and spring loaded.
• Protected against mild vibration and shock
• Accomodates crystals from different manufacturers
• Crystal can be replaced in the field

Demountable assembly

• Canned NaI-crystal is equipped with mounting flange.
• SiPM and MCA are demountable.
• Scintillator can be replaced in the field

Assembly, Instrument Settings, and Performance

• SiPM-2000 MCA + small 5.76cm² SiPM-array
• Alpha Spectra 3x3-inch (76x76mm) NaI(Tl)
• Maximum measurable energy: 3200keV
• Trigger threshold: 11keV
• Dynamic range: ~300:1
• 7.27% fwhm at 662keV

Embedded Scientist

• To alarm is making the decision that there is more radioactivity than to be expected from the background: condition R.
• MCA uses Poisson statistics to compute Prob(R).
• If Prob(R)>ε ⇒ Alarm

Sample Measurement

• MCA collects background first.
• MCA measures a sample, subtracts the background and computes alarm condition.

Portal monitor or mobile search

• MCA tracks background in 50ms time slices.
• MCA tracks counts in the last L=4s
• MCA uses Poisson statistics to compute Prob(R).
• If Prob(R)>ε ⇒ Alarm

Application

• Neutron detectors for gamma-rejection
• Beta-Gamma phoswich (NaI+PVT)
• Alpha-Beta counters (ZnS+PVT)

Implementation

• Waveform digitizing ADC sampling at 24MHz to 120MHz
• Acquire 10K to 100K pulses using the MCA itself.
• Use AI/ML tools to train a neural network.
• MCA ships with NN capability.
• Factory loads coefficients via USB into flash memory.

How to use PSD

• Split spectrum: eg 1K gamma, 1K beta
• Selected spectrum: 2K spectrum of the wanted kind; eg gamma
• Counters: report count rates for both particles
• Debug and calibrate: Record the PSD spectrum, cf below.

BPI Neutron detectors

• He-3 replacement tubes with USB and TTL output; Detection: B-10 + ZnS(Ag) scintillator
• Neutron detectors use the PMT-2000 MCA from standard production.
• Advantages:
  No restricted or toxic substances (BF₃, Li₆); No pressurized gases,
  No proportional chambers
• Mechanically robust construction, suitable for vehicles, train crossings, etc.; No light leaks
• Good precision and yield: Typical sensitivity variation is ± 10% (95 percentile)

BPI Neutron detector returns

• We tracked returns from 800 neutron detectors over 6 years.
• Cause for repair return: Fatal electronic fault affecting the Portal Monitor.
• Replaced MCA of the neutron detectors and re-calibrated.
• We compared the new calibration to what we claimed when we first shipped the detector.
• Over 6 years the neutron detector scintillator did not deteriorate.

Applications

• Just two detectors are efficient enough for a full-size Portal Monitor
• Two detectors can power a vehicle system

Observations

• Stacking detectors too close to each other is counter productive. ⇒ Broad detector paddles are uneconomical.
• Widening the moderator is a low-cost way to improve performance.

Operational neutron facility

• Texas radiation license, Cf-252, Co-60; Wet chemistry lab; Automated testing
• We have support at Austin UT, NETL, which houses a TRIGA nuclear reactor, neutron beam lines and a neutron room (10×10×13m) sunk into the ground.
• We calibrated our measurements against two NIST traceable and one commercial Cf-252 source.
• We keep various neutron detectors as calibration standards and track them over the years to verify the Cf-252 aging curve.

Easy to manufacture

• No dangerous chemicals or gases, No difficult to source chemicals
• 3 technicians can produce 300 detectors/year
• ⇒ Production truly is scalable.

Conclusion

• Pick the right tool for the job:
  MCA-1K/2K/3K, for PMT or SiPM
• From precision spectroscopy to NN-powered high-performance neutron detectors.
• Unrivaled gain and performance stabilization.
• Useful embedded calculations:
  From statistics for alarms to neural network RIID.
• All analysis for a specific instrument can be embedded.
  Users or business start ups can develop their application without needing in-house expertise in detector physics, data analysis, etc.
• SiPM-1000 + NaI is cheap and simple enough for a consumer product.