The Model 970-X Portable Multi-Channel Analyzer (pMCA) offers state-of-the-art signal processing for a wide range of nuclear applications. The electronics couple to a wide range of detector options and allow real-time data processing of gamma, neutron and x-ray radiation.
The Model 970-X pMCA is unique in that it can meet many applications as a process monitor, a separate laboratory instrument or integrated into an existing system to perform analysis. The flexible architecture allows utilizing different detectors types (solid-state detectors, scintillators, different sizes, different materials).
The modular assembly, small packaging and easy software interface are also well suited for applications in control systems where sample automation or fast screening is required.
Consider applications both in Spectroscopy and Spectrometry when evaluating the Model 970-X. The list of applications below contains two classes of instruments:
1) Spectroscopy for identification of radionuclides including some qualitative measurements that often include count rate and dose rate calculations.
2) Spectrometry for quantitative measurements of radionuclides in terms of activity in Curies or Becquerel.
Overview
- Standard libraries include 387 isotopes (editable)
- Multi-channel scaling mode
- Peak search and identify
- Quantification based on ROIs or peaks search
- Dual-channel emulator (gas proportional or phoswich detectors as a gross alpha/beta counter-scaler)
- ASCII mode (for User Defined Applications/Software)
- Includes SNAP-MCA Software, Carrying Case, USB-Serial Adapter
- Laboratory Instrumentation
- Low-cost Teaching Instrument
- Wipe Testing
- Area Monitoring
Sodium Iodide [NaI(Tl)] - Scintillation crystals are widely used in most standard gamma spectroscopy applications due to their unmatched high light output and excellent match of their emission spectrum to the sensitivity of photomultiplier tubes.
Cesium Iodide [CsI(Tl)] - Detectors are rugged, non-hygroscopic, and do not cleave. These detectors are frequently used as an alternative to NaI(Tl) for a wide range of applications.
Cerium Bromide [CeBr3] - Crystals are characterized by their high-resolution fast decay time, and low intrinsic background properties. With a background count as low as <0.001 c/cc/s in the Ac-227 complex, CeBr3 presents a distinct advantage over other high-resolution scintillators which suffer from this intrinsic activity. Typical energy resolution for 662 keV is ~4% FWHM
Lanthanum Bromide [LaBr3(Ce)] - provides an excellent energy resolution for a scintillator. The FWHM (full width at half maximum) for a 2" diameter by 2" long crystal has been measured at 2.6%. FWHM of the Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide has been measured at 2.2% at 662keV.
| Nuclear Safeguards | Spectroscopy with instrumentation positioned in an area to protect special nuclear material. Identification of material, detect movement of material. and can employ alarms. Monitoring of nuclear fuel reprocessing – integrated QC system. |
| Food Screening | Spectroscopy on food samples to obtain quick identification of radionuclide contamination (can give some quantitative results). This process may not require a specific quantity of specimen and may not require an efficiency calibration for the detector. |
| Food Analysis | Spectrometry on food to determine activity of the specimen. This requires efficiency calibration and specific geometry during measurement (e.g., Marinelli and shielded configuration). |
| Health Physics & Bio Sciences | Spectroscopy to determine personnel contamination and levels. Body scanning, blood and urine samples in a lab environment, or integrated with lab equipment. This may involve automating a process such as a sample changer for verifying compliance or monitoring personnel before and after decon. |
| Environmental | Air sampling and determining levels of radio activity. Analysis in the lab from samples collected. Measurements to determine identification and level of samples after remediation. Measurement of pollution samples (sediments from ponds, lakes, etc.). |
| Waste Management | Verification of radioactive waste before shipping or disposing. HLW and LLW catagorization for proper storage and transportation methods. This process may be automated to determine identification of isotopes, related half-life details, and radiation levels. Samples may be from D&D, waste disposal area, medical, etc. Transportation process control and leak mitigation can also be automated. |
| Nuclear Medicine | Spectroscopy to monitor patients – ID and measure dose rate. Spectrometry to perform analysis on patients and perform QC on the process and avoid overdose. Monitoring of activity is completely automated and can be available in real-time (second by second). Real-time data can also be interfaced to a controller for auto shut-down or other desired action based on breakthrough of the eluate. |
| Reactor Monitoring | Spectroscopy to monitor patients, materials, and shipping/stoage processes - ID isotopes and measure dose rate. Spectrometry to perform analysis on patients or stored materials, perform QC on processes, and reduce hospital stay-times. Monitoring of activity can be completely automated (area monitoring, laundry monitoring, etc) and can be available in real-time (second by second). Real-time data can also be interfaced to additional networks or instruments (conveyor shut down, HVAC suspend, etc). for disposition based on dose, isotope or background changes. |
The Model 970-X ships with a single-user license to SNAP-MCA (Simple Nuclear Analysis Program), a software platform built for current nuclear spectroscopy applications and 32-bit Windows environments. SNAP-MCA gives users quantitative and qualititative analysis capability and is networkable to multiple sensor platforms. SNAP-MCA also includes a module for running analysis on a Windows Mobile device (Jornada, iPAQ, TDS Recon, etc.) or for running analysis in a WindowsCE environment.
SNAP-MCA is a feature packed Nuclear Spectroscopy package that reads data from the BNC Model 970 or most other MCAs and allows users to perform complex analysis. There are a number of toolbar options similar which offer a familiar 'windows-style' environment.
With the Data Exporter in SNAP-MCA, you and send spectra of interest right to N42 or Excel files. This is ideal for secondary review and spectroscopic analysis.
Specifications
| General Specifications | 4096-channels, can also be configured for 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 channels
Internal bias voltage supply provides positive high voltage from 0 to 2000V at up to 0.5mA (Negative High Voltage available upon request) Adjustable shaping time, 0.25 to 10 µs Wide gain range by utilizing coarse and fine gain controls, achieve gain from x1 to x25 |
| Minimum System Requirements | 486 computer running Windows 95® or higher or Windows Mobile® Device with Serial Connector. |
| Probe Connectors | Two detector inputs. One standard series "C" connector for detectors where the signal is joined with the high voltage supply. The other is for detectors having separate connections for high voltage (SHV connector) and signal (BNC connector). Active detector input is selected via software, and can be negative, positive, or pre-shaped (positive) signal. |
| External Connector | External connector provides +5V, +12V, and -12V for external preamplifiers and two logic signals for notifying external devices of alarm conditions. |
| Switches | Power On/Off, and Fast/Normal charging rates. (Internal switch located in the battery compartment suppresses battery-charging circuitry for when non-rechargeable batteries are being used.) |
| LED Indicators | On/Off, External power availability, and fast charge activation |
| Shipping Dimensions | 18 x 18 x 13" |
| Shipping Weight | 9 lbs |
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