March 18, 2025 - Multi- and Single- Channel Analyzer Options

What is a Multichannel Analyzer?

Multichannel Analyzers (MCAs) are an invaluable element in spectroscopy systems. A MCA consists of two basic parts: the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and the computer-type addressable memory. Berkeley Nucleonics offers several MCA options for users to perfect a system that caters to their application needs. Read through the options below and navigate to the linked product pages for more information.

The Model 970: Portable Multichannel Analyzer

This MCA is unique in its flexible architecture that provides the ability to meet many applications as a process monitor, a separate laboratory instrument or integrated into an existing system to perform analysis. It has a modular assembly, small packaging, and easy software. It supports applications in both Spectroscopy and Spectrometry.

TOPAZ-Pico

The latest advancements in digital electronics are prevalent in the design of the TOPAZ-pico, which establish the unit as an advanced MCA that is fully digital, compact, and stand-alone. To provide the power necessary for the PMT tube, the MCA brilliantly contains a miniaturized high-voltage power supply optimized for low consumption that has a voltage of 0 to 1,500 volts in 4096 steps. There are two modes of data acquisition that the TOPAZ-pico utilizes: Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) and Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS); see the specifications below.

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

bPAD Compact Single Channel Analyzer

The bPAD is a microprocessor based Single Channel Analyzer (SCA) that incorporates a preamplifier, an amplifier, and a discriminator in a compact photomultiplier tube base. This unit is especially useful as a compact system for the monitor of count rates in an energy region of interest. It includes its own programmable high voltage power supply with output voltage settable from 0 to 1500 Volts. The bPAD is easy to set up and use; is fully controlled by a microprocessor, and its parameters can easily be set via USB with a PC and the provided configuration software. There are two modes of operation with the bPAD: (1) integral, where counts are output for signals above a single energy threshold level, and (2) differential, where counts are output for signals within a defined energy window (SCA). bPAD SCA is offered in the following options:

bPAD+

An enhanced version of the bPAD intelligent single-channel analyzer. It adds an extra analog pulse output, which can be connected to an external MCA for monitoring purposes. The bPAD+ is fully digital, so it benefits from the same advantages of the bPAD.

bPAD+VR

This is an enhanced version of the bPAD+ intelligent single-channel analyzer. The analog output can be configured to deliver the pulse signal as in the bPAD+, or a variable voltage level which is proportional to the discriminated count rate. This feature is useful in flow count rate instruments or HPLC systems, for example.

bPAD/VR/HPLC

Same as the bPAD+VR but with multi-parameter setup software for HPLC applications.

bGamma Software Package for Gamma Spectroscopy Analysis Quantification

All the necessary tools and functionality for performing detailed analysis for complex gamma-ray spectra and the corresponding radionuclide quantification are available with the bGamma software package. It is a general purpose, comprehensive and extensive application package for gamma-ray spectrum analysis and radionuclide identification and quantification. This software package allows the user to do the following:

  • Connect and control the hardware for correct data acquisition
  • Control and visualize the data acquisition
  • Import spectra from other file-formats
  • Energy, shape, and efficiency calibration for the gamma-ray spectra
  • Fitting of the experimental data to mathematical models, including background subtraction, peak interference correction, etc.
  • Radionuclide activity calculations
  • Automatic peak search and peak class identification (singlets, multiplets)
  • ROI analysis and calculations
  • Nuclide identification with separation from possible spectrum artifacts and structures