A Wide Variety of HPGe Detectors
for Counting Laboratory Analysis.

These include:

• GEM-series standard P-type detectors up to 200% relative efficiency
• GMX-series standard N-type detectors for photon energies down to 5 keV with relative efficiency up to 100%
• LO-AX-series low energy only coax detectors for superior resolving capability of low energy photons and x-rays
• PROFILE Series detectors designed to match the right HPGe detector for the application
• SMART-1 detector technology provides additional quality assurance that your detector performed within tolerances during the acquisition time.

The complete photon detector catalog can be viewed on our web site.

More on Profile Series Detectors

The Profile Series detectors are those most likely to be selected for the counting laboratory. These detectors have been specifically designed to match the detector dimensions and performance to the type of sample being counted. No longer is it necessary to guess how a detector of 50% relative efficiency is REALLY going to perform with a 47 mm diameter filter paper sample on endcap. Purchase a Profile series Model F5930 and you will know that you are getting a detector that is perfectly suited to measuring your sample.

Similarly, when measuring Marinelli beakers, it is important to have a detector that is longer than the depth of the Marinelli and wide enough to fill the inner diameter. With the Profile M series detectors, you know exactly what the dimensions of the detector will be BEFORE YOU BUY IT, thus taking the guess work out of "will I need an 80%’er or can I get by with just 50% relative efficiency?" The real answer is: you would never know without the Profile Series detectors.

What is a SMART-1 Detector?

ORTEC’s unique SMART-1 detector interface module is a new technology for the preamplifier and electronics interface. SMART-1 detectors contain a microprocessor that monitors the state of health of a detector at all times. Crystal temperature, preamplifier power (±12 and ±24), high voltage level and overload status are all monitored periodically while data is being acquired. If any single parameter fails, a latched bit is set. At the end of the measurement, SMART-1 enabled electronics (digiDART for instance) poll the state-of-health bit and if it is latched, the operator is warned that a parameter had exceeded limits during some part of the measurement. This feature ensures that the data acquired is of the highest possible integrity.

X-COOLER II

New for HPGe detectors is the ability to cool them without the use of Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) and without paying a huge premium. The ORTEC X-COOLER II is a truly unique mechanical cooling device that uses a similar principle as home refrigerators to generate detector operating temperatures (typically 90-105 Kelvin). The X-COOLER II can do this at a price that is not much more than a standard cryostat and dewar. The best part, though, is that users do not have to worry about the hassles of LN2 cooling devices such as:

• Cost of LN2 (versus the inexpensive electricity requirements of the X-COOLER II)
• Regular re-filling schedules of the detector dewars (time consuming)
• Government regulations for protective clothing and equipment for cryogenic procedures
• Standard Operating Procedures for proper filling
• Bulky storage dewars and costs associated with scheduling a supply truck to re-fill them
• Laboratory space taken up by dewars, filling devices, and associated items

The X-COOLER II eliminates all of this because it is:

• Powered by electricity
• Small (12"W x 10-1/2"D x 8-1/2"H) and weighs less than 36 lbs.
• Never needs maintenance

One of the best features of the X-COOLER II is the employment of the PopTop detector capsule technology. With this combination, should the X-COOLER II fail while at your site, it can be replaced in the field without any special tools or assistance from service personnel. Simply decouple the detector from the cryostat, attach a new detector (or new X-COOLER II), and turn the power switch on. The entire replacement cycle takes less than 10 minutes. Never again will a complete detector/cooler assembly need to be sent to the factory for a 3-4 month service period for a simple cooler replacement.

Low Background Cryostats

The best detection limit performance for low level environmental counting can often be obtained by using low background detectors from ORTEC. All standard detectors have their materials screened for man-made isotopes such as Co-60 or Cs-137. In low background cryostat construction, we go one step further and remove as many components that have naturally occurring radioisotopes like K-40 and Ra-226 as well. Specially selected materials such as oxygen-free copper, activated charcoal cryopumps, and nickel plated magnesium endcaps make ORTEC –LB cryostats the lowest background detectors available.