• Two independent alpha-spectroscopy channels
• Each channel includes vacuum chamber, sample holder, detector, bias supply,
  preamplifier, amplifier, biased amplifier, test pulser, and discriminator
• Separate energy range selections for each channel: 3-5, 4-6, or 5-7 MeV and
  3-7, 4-8, or 5-9 MeV
• Choice of either vertical or horizontal sample holder
• Available with ULTRA™ or Ruggedized® detector with area of 300 mm²,
  450 mm², or 600 mm²
• Precalibrated at the factory, the 576A requires no further adjustments
• AlphaVision-32 (A36-B32) is recommended as companion alpha analytical software

The Model 576A Dual Alpha Spectrometer is a self-contained, double-wide NIM
module that contains two independent alpha-spectroscopy channels. Each
channel includes a vacuum chamber, a choice of either a vertical or horizontal
sample holder, and ORTEC ULTRA low-background, ion-implanted silicon detector
or a Ruggedized low-background surface barrier detector (300-mm², 450-mm², or
600-mm² detectors are available), a detector bias supply, a preamplifier, a shaping
and stretching amplifier, a biased amplifier, a test pulser, and a discriminator
(Fig.1). The unit is factory calibrated, and no further adjustments are necessary.

By a simple jumper selection on the side panel and a front-panel energy range
switch, each channel can be set so that the output range represents energies from
3 to 5, 4 to 6, or 5 to 7 MeV in the 2-MeV position; and from 3 to 7, 4 to 8, or 5 to
9 MeV in the 4-MeV position. Another simple jumper selection sets the internal
pulser signal at the center of the appropriate range (Fig.2).

Together with a vacuum pump and a multichannel analyzer, the Model 576A
provides a complete reliable, easy-to-operate, low-level dual alpha spectroscopy
system. Eight- or sixteen-channel alpha spectroscopy systems can easily be
configured by utilizing the ORTEC Model 920E 16-Input Multichannel Buffer.

The special ULTRA or Ruggedized low-background detectors supplied with each
Model 576A Dual Alpha Spectrometer have been processed through the standard
ORTEC quality control procedures. To eliminate the possibility of low-level alpha
contamination, these detectors have not been exposed to alpha particles. Instead,
alpha resolution is measured on a representative sample of detectors from each
batch of ULTRA or Ruggedized low-background detectors produced to ensure that
the specified alpha resolution is met. The alpha resolution and noise resolution are
measured in accordance with IEEE Standard 300-1998. (Ruggedized detectors
are tested at a 0.5 µs amplifier shaping time constant, ULTRA detectors at 1.0 µs).

Figure 1. Simplified Block Diagram of One Channel of the Model 576A Dual Alpha Spectrometer.

Figure 2. Side Panel Energy Range and Test Pulser Selection.

Ordering Information

When purchasing detectors separately, please indicated "for use with Model 576A Dual
Alpha Spectrometer" on your purchase order, and specify the geometrical configuration
desired (vertical or horizontal). Detector extraction tools are not supplied with this model.
 

• Vertical models include two 576-SHAV-K sample holder assembly kits (unless other sample holders are requested) and one 576-DETV detector extraction tool.
• Horizontal models include two 576-HTH horizontal sample tray holders, two 576-HT horizontal sample trays, and one 576-DETH detector extraction tool.

Accessories and Sample Holder Assemblies