Spectrum Techniques ICS-PCI User Manual

Integrated computer spectrometer pci card version for windows

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ICS-PCI

Integrated Computer Spectrometer

PCI Card Version for Windows

User's Manual

Spectrum Techniques, Inc.

106 Union Valley Road

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Tel. (865) 482-9937

Fax (865) 483-0473

e-mail spectech@esper.com

web http://www.spectrumtechniques.com

February, 2005

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Page 1 ICS-PCI Integrated Computer Spectrometer ® PCI Card Version for Windows User’s Manual Spectrum Techniques, Inc. 106 Union Valley Road Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Tel. (865) 482-9937 Fax (865) 483-0473 e-mail spectech@esper.com web http://www.spectrumtechniques.com February, 2005...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents CONTENTS..................................... 4 Introduction....................................5 Installation ....................................6 Software Installation ................................6 Card Installation................................... 6 Connecting Detector ................................7 Analysis Modes ..................................8 Pulse Height Analysis (PHA Pre Amp In)..........................8 Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) - Amp In ..........................8 Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) - Direct In ..........................
Page 3 Live and Real Time................................39 Calibration Status ................................39 Temperature ..................................39 Technical Reference ................................40 Specifications ..................................41 Hardware ................................... 41 Software..................................... 42 Warranty and Repair ................................43...
Page 4: Contents
CONTENTS ® This version of ICS-PCI software program is written in C++ language. It is designed for Microsoft Windows 98 or higher. Most functions may be accessed by more than one method. All the functions can be accessed from the Pull Down Menu, some from the Tool Bar Buttons, or by the mouse.
Page 5: Introduction
Windows. The ICS-PCI requires only a single PCI card slot and is designed for installation in most types of IBM compatible computers with a minimum of 512K of memory and EGA or VGA graphics. For stability and low noise operation, critical power is regenerated on the card from the computer power using high efficiency converters.
Page 6: Installation
If problem persists, contact the factory. The ICS-PCI software is defaulted to enable the internal amplifier on the card. This configuration requires the use of a simple high voltage divider type photomultiplier tube base. The signal (anode) from the base may be connected directly to the ICS-PCI bottom Input (BNC) connector and the HV (high voltage) connected directly to the top HV (MHV) connector.
Page 7: Connecting Detector
Connecting Detector The ICS-PCI software is defaulted to enable the internal amplifier on the card. This configuration requires the use of a simple high voltage divider type photomultiplier tube base. The signal (anode) from the base may be connected directly to the ICS-PCI bottom Input (BNC) connector and the HV (high voltage) connected directly to the top HV (MHV) connector.
Page 8: Analysis Modes
Analysis Modes Pulse Height Analysis (PHA Pre Amp In) PHA Amp In PHA Direct In Multichannel Scaling (MCS Internal) MCS External Pulse Height Analysis (PHA Pre Amp In) Pulse Height Analysis - The normal operating mode for collecting sample emission spectra. The incoming signal is routed through the card's internal Pre-Amplifier and Amplifier stages.
Page 9: Pulse Height Analysis (Pha) - Direct In
Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) - Direct In PHA Direct In - Similar to the 'PHA PreAmp In' operating mode except that the incoming signal bypasses both the card's internal Pre-Amplifier and Amplifier stages. The amplitude of each detector pulse is measured by the ADC and stored as an amplitude (energy) spectrum. Multichannel Scaling (MCS Internal) Multichannel Scaling - This mode is used for measuring time related phenomena such as half-life decay or single photon counting.
Page 10: Start Up
Instrument Selection To run the ICS-PCI software, select from the Start Menu or double-click the icon for the application. If two or more supported cards are installed and recognized, a selection window will be displayed showing details of all supported cards.
Page 11 Normal Program Window...
Page 12: High Voltage And Amplifier Gain
High Voltage and Amplifier Gain Once the program is running it will be necessary to configure the system parameters for correct operation and calibration. Connect a working compatible detector to the card and place a gamma emitting check source near the detector face. Cesium-137 (Cs-137) is a good choice.
Page 13: Adc Conversion Gain Adjustment
ADC Conversion Gain Adjustment The conversion gain default and maximum setting is 1024 to 4096 channels depending on the card model. For most scintillation detector applications a conversion gain of 1024 is used. For certain applications such as alpha spectroscopy, it may be necessary to change this parameter to either 256 or 512 channels. Click on Settings, click on AMP/HV.
Page 15: Operation
Enter the REAL or LIVE time in the correct box. Click on OK, to set adjustment and exit menu. Both the REAL TIME and LIVE TIME values of a measurement are displayed on the ICS-PCI display screen and updated during acquisition. The values are saved with the file during data storage.
Page 16: Start
Set Peak Counting will terminate when the content of any channel in the entire spectrum reaches the preset value. Set Integral To set an integral count it is necessary to first establish a ROI and then position the marker within the region. Counting terminates when the desired counts is collected in the ROI.
Page 17: Stop
Stop Stop...allows the user to stop the acquire mode of a spectrum... This can be accomplished by two means - by selecting Stop from the Mode Menu or clicking on the red stop icon on the display screen. Erase Erase...allows the user to erase the spectrum when in stop mode... This can be accomplished by selecting Erase from the Edit Menu or by clicking the Erase Button on the display screen.
Page 18 Clear all ROIs Click the right mouse button, click on ROI, click on Clear All ROIs. Clear Individual ROI Move marker to the ROI to be cleared, click the right mouse button, Click on ROI, click on Clear ROI.
Page 19: Functions
Functions Energy Calibration Energy Calibrate...The energy calibration feature allows the marker to read directly in energy units. Two calibration functions are possible, a 2-point linear, or a 3-point quadratic fit. In order to perform a manual energy calibration, it is first necessary to acquire a spectrum using known isotopes. Cs-137 together with Co-60 works well for many applications, producing gamma lines at 32 keV, 662 keV, 1173 keV and 1332 keV.
Page 20: Temperature Compensation
Temperature Compensation...The temperature compensation feature is used to correct for peak drifting due to changes in temperature experienced by the detector. When temperature correction is enabled and the proper values have been entered into the correction parameters, the ICS-PCI card will correct for the peak drift as the detector temperature changes.
Page 21: Isomatch
IsoMatch Isotope Match...allows the user to create a library of isotopes that may be used in routine sample analysis, when the file is loaded into ISOMATCH, isotope and marker lines are placed over the peak in the spectrum. To edit an isotope from the available library, highlight the isotope and click Edit. To add an isotope, click the Add button.
Page 22: Background Subtraction
Background Subtraction Background Subtract... This is a special case of spectrum stripping. The detector background is stored in the background buffer, usually for a long collection time. When background subtract is executed, the livetime fraction of the background spectrum is automatically subtracted from the contents of the master buffer.
Page 23: Auto Calibration
Auto Calibration Auto Calibrate...The automatic calibration feature requires a Cs-137 source to calibrate the instrument with a conversion gain of 1024. The automatic calibration will determine the coarse and fine gain settings as well as the high voltage settings and will fit the peaks into a range of 0 to 1024 KeV.
Page 24: Menu Bar
Save Setup... Once the ICS-PCI has been setup and calibrated, all operating parameters may be stored (SAVE SETUP) as a disk file for subsequent retrieval. If power has been turn off, it is a simple and convenient process to reload the setup file and quickly restore (LOAD SETUP) the analyzer to its previous operating condition.
Page 25: Edit
Save Library...allows user to SAVE to file a new library for the IsoMatch directory. Print...allows user to print the data that is displayed on the ICS-PCI screen, either graphics, data or ROI. Print Setup...allows user to set up printer parameters per printer specifications.
Page 26: Mode
Isotope Edit...allows the user to edit isotope data, add to and delete from library. Erase The contents of the active buffer (both the displayed and card buffers) can be reset to zero by selecting Erase. Live Time and Real Time status is also reset to zero. This action cannot be undone. Erasure may also be performed by clicking on the Erase Button when acquisition is stopped.
Page 27: Calculate
Calculate PeakSearch... When selected, peak search attempts to locate and create Regions of Interest (ROIs) for any peaks in the spectrum data. Background Subtract... This is a special case of spectrum stripping. The detector background is stored in the background buffer, usually for a long collection time.
Page 28: Settings
Peak Report...Switches the currently selected window to display a summary Peak Report. If regions of interest have been set around peaks in a spectrum, the Peak Report provides a convenient method of displaying peak information in tabular form. Readout will be in energy units if the energy calibration is active. Data Report...Switches the currently selected window to display a detailed Data Report.
Page 29 ROIs... Clear All... clears all ROIs previously set... Clear ROI... clears ROI that the marker is in... Set ROI... sets ROI using mouse clicks. To set an ROI, click and hold the left mouse button at one edge of the desired region. Drag to the other edge of the desired region and release the mouse button.
Page 30 Energy Calibrate... The energy calibration feature allows the marker to read directly in energy units. One Automatic and two Manual calibration functions are possible - a 2-point linear, or a 3-point quadratic fit. In order to perform an energy calibration, it is first necessary to acquire a spectrum using known isotopes. Cs-137 together with Co-60 works well for many applications, producing gamma lines at 32 keV, 662 keV, 1173 keV and 1332 keV.
Page 31 Temp Correction... The optional temperature correction feature allows for correcting peak shifts that occur as the temperature changes affect the detector. A special tube base containing a compatible temperature sensor is required. In no such sensor is detected at startup, the Temperature Correction menu is not displayed. Presets...
Page 32 Setup MCS MCS operation must have been selected in the Mode pull down menu before Setup...MCS can be activated. Click on Setting...click on MCS...select Dwell Time... enter Number of Passes... (if enabled). Click on OK to enter data and exit menu. Colors...
Page 33: Window
Window Window... allows the user to arrange and view all the open buffers. Horizontal... All active ICS-PCI data windows visible. Sized to fill the application window horizontally and stacked one above another, Vertical... Sized to fill the application window vertically and stacked side by side, Cascade...
Page 34: Help
Help The help menu provides a convenient operator reference for the ICS-PCI. Key phrases and words are highlighted in green indicating hypertext. Clicking on these words or phrases opens a direct link to that section of the help document.
Page 35: Tool Bar
Save...allows user to Save the contents of an open buffer Print Print...allows user to print the data that is displayed on the ICS-PCI screen, either graphics, data or ROI. Copy Copy...allows the user to copy the contents of the currently displayed window. If a spectrum is being displayed, a graphic image of the spectrum is placed in the copy-paste buffer.
Page 36: Amp/Hv
Amp/HV Amp/HV...enter the detector manufacturers recommended high voltage value, click on On/Off to desired position. Set Course and Fine Gain by either entering number or by moving sliding scale. Click on desire Conversion Gain. Set LLD and ULD by either entering number or by moving sliding scale. When all setting are entered click on OK, this will set the adjustments and exit menu to spectrum screen.
Page 37: Data Report
Data Report Data Report...Reports includes all hardware setting, counting parameters and spectrum data. ROI data is reported by lower and upper channels set, gross, net, FWHM, centroid, all channels and corresponding counts. Contents Contents...Displays the contents of the help file.
Page 38: Display Window
Display Window Start Button Start... allows the user to start the acquire mode of a spectrum... This can also be accomplished from the Mode Menu by clicking on Start. Stop Button Stop...allows the user to stop the acquire mode of a spectrum... This can also be accomplished from the Mode Menu by clicking on Stop.
Page 39: Dead Time
Dead Time The dead time indicator is a graphic display of the amount of dead time that the instrument is experiencing. Each filled in bar segment indicates approximately 10%. High Voltage The high voltage status (HV:) panel indicates the state of the high voltage and indicates the high voltage setting. When the high voltage is enabled, the panel background appears green.
Page 40: Technical Reference
Multiple Card Installation Up to a maximum of four ICS-PCI cards may be installed and operated with a single computer providing bus slots are available and sufficient power can be supplied from the power supply. When installing multiple cards, each card is...
Page 41: Specifications
Specifications Hardware Physical: Single PCI compatible card includes preamplifier, amplifier, detector high voltage, 1024-4096 channel multichannel analyzer with data memory, LLD and ULD. Fully compatible with many scintillation detectors and commercial tube bases. BNC connector for direct connection to PMT anode signal. Software controlled routing of the input signal Data Input: to preamp, amp, adc or mcs counter.
Page 42: Software
Software System: Operates under Microsoft Windows 98® or higher with 3.0 meg available.disk space, 8 meg RAM, and compatible mouse. Display: VGA or SVGA color graphics. Vertical scale adjust from 32 to 16M and LOG display. Horizontal 4096 channels with expansion down to 128 channels. Time Mode: Preset live-time or preset real-time selection.
Page 43: Warranty And Repair
Warranty and Repair Spectrum Techniques warrants products of our manufacture against defects in workmanship or material for a period of one year from date of shipment. We will repair or replace, at our option, any instrument that is deemed defective during this time.