Zero Dead Time (ZDT) — Loss Free Counting Correction
Got rapidly changing count rate? Need to calculate the uncertainty? You need ZDT!
ZDT is an alternative to conventional live time extension to correct for dead time. It is especially beneficial to applications where the count rate is significantly decaying during the acquisition, such as in Neutron Activation Analysis, or where there is a rapid spike of activity during a long acquisition, as in the case of hot particles in stack monitoring.
Live-Time Clocks expand the counting time of the electronics to compensate for dead time. Loss-free counting methods, like our ZDT, correct the actual number of counts in the spectrum for those counts "lost" while the system was processing other pulses. The ZDT method uses ORTEC’s highly accurate Gedcke-Hale clock to determine how many events should be added for the time that the electronics were "dead."
In the ZDT Mode, the DSPEC jr 2.0 automatically stores the corrected spectrum and the variance spectrum. Both spectra are also stored in the ORTEC SPC format file structure to allow comparisons to be made at anytime in the future. The user can easily switch between the corrected and uncorrected spectra through simple menu commands in
GammaVision and
MAESTRO.
The ORTEC ZDT mode includes an uncertainty estimation algorithm to further enhance our ZDT method. Unlike other "loss-free counting" methods which cannot calculate the uncertainty associated with counts added to the spectrum, the ZDT mode in the DSPEC jr 2.0 simultaneously generates the corrected spectrum and the uncertainty as data is collected. See
Application Note 56, "Loss-Free Counting with Uncertainty Analysis Using ORTEC’s Innovative Zero Dead-Time Technique" for more information on ZDT.
Low Frequency Rejector Digital Filter Improves Resolution for Mechanically-Cooled Systems!
The LFR is designed to remove microphonic noise from the output signal of high purity germanium detectors. What kind of results can you expect? If you have mechanically-cooled systems with degraded resolution, the LFR can improve your resolution significantly.
Ballistic Deficit Correction
No need to worry about ballistic deficit with the patented digital signal processing of the DSPEC product line from ORTEC. In larger HPGe detectors, a characteristic known as ballistic deficit is sometimes exhibited. This typically results in poor resolution especially for high energy peaks. In analog systems, the ballistic deficit is corrected with either a gated integrator amplifier or through a resolution enhancer module. In digital systems, however, a simple adjustment to the flat top width of the digital filter is all that is necessary.
Using the InSight mode in the DSPEC jr 2.0 allows the operator to make adjustments to the flat top width (and tilt) and immediately see the effects of the signal processing. In most cases with extremely large detectors (such as the 207% efficient one used in this example!), a flat top setting of 0.8 µs is more than sufficient to recover excellent resolution.
Simple to Set Shaping Parameters
DSPEC jr 2.0 helps you maintain control of your digital system. The rise time and flat top width adjustments empower you to "fine tune" spectrometer performance to the application. Optimizing your resolution and throughput has never been easier!
In DSPEC jr 2.0 there are 112 rise times (from 0.8 to 23 µs in 0.2 increments) and 22 flat top widths (from 0.3 to 2.4 µs in 0.1 increments), in addition to tilt parameters, giving you well over 2,000 combinations of parameters.
Don’t worry . . . we still include the automated "Optimize" feature in the control panel to allow you to choose the best fit! This means that improvements for the resolution capability of your detector and better throughput are just a click of a mouse button away.
SMART-1™ Support for Quality Data
ORTEC's unique
SMART-1 detectors are indeed smart. They monitor and store the detector state-of-health (detector temperature, preamp power, bias overrange, bias on/off state). A single check by the DSPEC jr 2.0 will verify the detector is ready and remains ready to perform acquisition. During acquisition, the SMART-1 detector continually monitors the state-of-health (SOH) to ensure the integrity of the acquired data. At the end of acquisition a quick check of the SOH flag in the SMART-1 detector shows if any parameters deviated from specification during the measurement. This is vitally important for environmental samples that must be counted for long periods of time and regulatory-driven samples where data integrity is important.
Another big advantage is the SMART-1 detectors have the recommended bias value preset at the factory. You no longer have to look through paperwork or for tags on the detector to find the right bias setting. Simply turn on the DSPEC jr 2.0 and the SMART-1 detector automatically senses the detector temperature, determines the right high voltage bias, and turns it on.
Simple, Single-Cable Connection to Detectors
DSPEC jr 2.0 uses the unique ORTEC
DIM (Detector Interface Module) to connect the DSPEC jr 2.0 and the detector with only a single cable. The DIM provides for bias close to the detectors so that only signal and low voltage power are carried in the cable. Potential hazards due to high voltage being carried on long cables is now eliminated.
Display of Vital Parameters
The DSPEC jr 2.0 shows vital system parameters on the front panel LCD display. The DSPEC jr 2.0 displays the instrument ID, name, serial number, preset count conditions, current live and real time, dead time percentage, input count rate, HV status and value, and the serial number for SMART-1 detectors.
Small Size
With a footprint the size of a desk diary, DSPEC jr 2.0 can sit right on the desktop. Lightweight and rugged, multiple DSPEC jr 2.0 can be stacked on top of one another, their cases interlocked, without fear of sliding or tipping.
Mix-and-Match with Your Existing MCBs
ORTEC CONNECTIONS software supports any combination and number of USB devices connected to any computer. For example, two
digiDARTs may be combined with two DSPEC jr 2.0s to the same PC using a USB hub. And any number of other ORTEC MCBs can be connected to the same system by network, printer port, RS-232, or Dual Port Memory.
Add a Sample Changer
When you are ready to automate your process with an integrated sample changer, DSPEC jr 2.0 is ready and able, with built-in Sample Changer connections and controls.
. . . And Still as Easy to Set Up as Ever!
The DSPEC instruments are easy to set up and use. With the intelligent MCA control, no manual configurations or even so-called Wizards are needed. Simply install the software (such as
GammaVision or
MAESTRO) and the software "just knows" what control panels to show. The tabular design of the panels uses logical groupings of the controls and features available on the DSPEC jr 2.0.
The DSPEC jr 2.0 includes the ORTEC patented Digital Automatic Pole Zero circuit, Digital Automatic Baseline Restorer, and the Optimize feature which chooses the optimum flat top/tilt settings for the detector currently connected to the DSPEC jr 2.0, making setup and enhancement of your spectroscopy system as easy as possible.
Of course, one of the most innovative features provided in our products is InSight™, the built-in virtual digital oscilloscope. With the InSight feature, you can easily see the effects of changing the flat top width, baseline restore setting, or check the effects of Ballistic Deficit Correction (see side bar). No longer is it necessary to have a heavy, cumbersome, external oscilloscope around. No special software is necessary. Simply open the control panel and turn InSight mode on.