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579 Fast-Filter Amplifier

ORTEC 579 Fast Filter Amplifier
  • For fast timing with germanium and other semiconductor detectors
  • Fast <8-ns rise time
  • Independent integration and differentiation
  • Gated baseline restorer
  • Pole-zero cancellation
  • 50-Ω delay cable clipping
  • Voltage gain X0.9 to X500
  • Output drives to ±5 V on a 50-Ω load

The ORTEC Model 579 Wideband Fast-Filter Amplifier with gated baseline restorer enhances fast-timing measurements by improving the noise-to-slope ratio and providing ultra-high count rate spectroscopy capability.

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    A fast rise time (<8 ns), high output drive (±5 V into 50 Ω), and wide voltage gain range (X0.9–X500) make the Model 579 useful for many timing applications, including those utilizing low-gain photomultiplier tubes. The Model 579 is particularly suited for use with ORTEC Constant-Fraction Discriminators such as Models 583, 935, or 473A in timing applications with high-purity germanium (HPGe) or silicon charged-particle detectors. Excellent dc and gain stability (±50 µV/°C and ±0.05%/°C, respectively) eliminate the need for a dc level adjustment. A Busy LED and Busy Output are included to aid in BLR adjustment and system interfacing. 

    In addition, the wideband gated baseline restorer and pole-zero cancellation network permit ultra-high output counting rates. A wide variety of pulse filtering is available for improved signal processing. The Model 579 combines continuously variable gain, independently selectable integration and differentiation time constants (Out, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 ns), and cable clipping capability (external cable delay), making this versatile unit an important asset for sophisticated time and energy spectroscopy.

  • Specifications +


    Performance
    Input Signal Amplitude Range
    		 ±1 V ac, ±5 V ac with X5 internal attenuator; ±35 V dc; input impedance 100 Ω, ac-coupled; 50 Ω optional.
    Output Amplitude Range 0 to ±5 V linear into a 50-Ω load.
    Rise Time <8 ns with Integrate and Differentiate Out, or ≅2.2 τi for other integrate settings and Differentiate Out.
    Overshoot <10% with Integrate Out, or <2% for any selected integration.
    Noise For maximum gain, rms noise referred to the input is <10 µV (typically 5 µV), with τi = τD = 200 ns, measured with an HP3400A true rms voltmeter. Wideband (200 MHz) noise for τi = τD = Out is <50 µV (typically 40 µV).
    Integral Nonlinearity <±1% (typically 0.5%) over ±5 V range into 50-Ω load.
    Temperature Instability DC Level  <±50 µV/°C referred to the output; factory-set within ±5 mV.   Gain <±0.05%/°C.
    Operating Temperature Range 0 to 50°C.

    Controls
    Coarse Gain
    		 Front-panel 6-position switch to select X15, X25, X50, X125, X250, and X500 gain factor. When internal X5 attenuator is used, the coarse gain factors represent X3, X5, X10, X25, X50, and X100, respectively. A continuously variable voltage gain of X0.9 to X500 can be obtained. (Gain reduced by factor of two when cable clip is used.)
    Fine Gain Front-panel single-turn potentiometer, continuously adjustable from 0.3 to 1.0.
    P/Z Front-panel screwdriver adjustable potentiometer to adjust pole-zero cancellation for decay time constants from 25 µs to ∞.
    DIFF Front-panel 7-position switch selects a differentiation time constant to control the decay time of the pulse. Decay time ≅2.2 τD with τi = Out. The τD settings include Out, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 ns.
    INT Front-panel 7-position switch selects an integration time constant to control the rise time of the output pulse. The rise time is ≅2.2 τi with τD = Out. The τi settings include Out, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 ns. Rise time in the Out position is <5 ns, equivalent to a τi <2.3 ns.
    INV/NONINV Front-panel locking toggle switch selects inversion or noninversion of the input signal.
    BLR ADJ Front-panel screwdriver adjustment to set the Gated BLR threshold from ±50 mV to ±500 mV referred to the output.
    BLR Gated/Ungated Printed wiring board (PWB) jumper selects gated or ungated BLR operation. Factory-set in gated position.
    BLR LED This feature enables the user to quickly adjust the BLR threshold setting near the noise peak. Front-panel LED indicates an output amplitude has exceeded the BLR threshold. The BLR LED can be used as a visual indicator of the output counting rate.
    Count Rate High/Low  PCB jumper selects minimum BLR dead time of typically 400 ns in high position and typically 1 µs in low position. Factory-set in low position.
    Attenuator PWB jumper select to pass with unity Gain or Attenuate by a factor of 5. Jumper select B to C and A to F will pass with unity Gain. Jumper select C to D and E to F will attenuate by a factor of 5. Factory-set at unity Gain.

    Input
    Input Front-panel BNC accepts input signals of either polarity. ±1.0 V ac or ±5.0 V ac with X5 attenuator. Maximum dc voltage ±35 V. Input impedance 100 Ω (to match preamplifiers), ac-coupled.
    Clip  Two front-panel BNC connectors to provide delay line clipping of the input pulse. Cable impedance must be 50 Ω. Delay line clip is 2X the cable propagation delay. Gain is reduced by factor of 2 when using cable clip.

    Outputs
    Output Front-panel BNC connector furnishes the amplified and shaped signal through Zo <1 Ω. Amplitude 0 to ±5 V into 50 Ω; rise time and decay time constants controlled by the integrate and differentiate filter settings.
    Busy Rear-panel BNC furnishes NIM-standard positive logic signal during the BLR busy time.
    Preamp Power Rear-panel standard ORTEC power connector, Amphenol type 17-80090-15.

    Electrical and Mechanical
    Power Required
    		 +24 V, 80 mA; –24 V, 80 mA; +12 V, 160 mA;  –12 V, 140 mA.
    Weight Net  1.5 kg (3.3 lb).    Shipping  3.1 kg (7.0 lb).
    Dimensions Standard single-width NIM module 3.43 X 22.13 cm (1.35 X 8.714 in.) per DOE/ER-0457T.

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    Model Description
    579 Fast-Filter Amplifier