567 Time-to-Amplitude Converter / Singe Channel Analyzer

Separate gating (anticoincidence or coincidence) of the start and stop inputs eliminates unwanted events from the time spectra via externally imposed energy or timing restrictions. The Model 567 also incorporates a built-in SCA inhibit feature in which a TAC output is available only if the output pulse falls within the window restrictions imposed by the SCA. This feature may be switched in or out by a convenient front-panel switch.

In addition to its start and stop input gating capabilities, the Model 567 provides for a pulsed or dc-level Reset/Inhibit signal via a front-panel input connector. A Reset/Inhibit input signal terminates the conversion cycle and maintains a reset condition, inhibiting further TAC conversions for the duration of the Reset/Inhibit pulse. A TAC output pulse that is in process at the time a Reset/Inhibit input is received will be completed before converter reset is initiated.

Valid Start and Valid Conversion outputs are provided for each accepted start and stop input respectively. The duration of the Valid Start output indicates the interval from the accepted start until the end of reset. Valid Conversion occurs from the end of the internal delay after stop to the end of reset.

The selectable TAC output width and variable delay, which are easily adjustable, further serve to make the Model 567 a flexible instrument. The output of the TAC may be synchronized with the stop signal or an external strobe signal to further enhance its versatility.

The single-channel analyzer section of the Model 567 allows the experimenter to place very specific time restrictions on the timing spectrum. The SCA is operated in the Window mode, where the upper-level discriminator setting is added to that of the lower-level discriminator. The SCA output pulse width is equal to the time from the occurrence of the TAC output until the end of the reset pulse or the end of the TAC output. The synchronization of the SCA output with the stop input virtually eliminates any time walk in the SCA output.

All Model 567 inputs are printed wiring board (PWB) jumper-selectable to accept either negative or positive NIM standard signals. All inputs and outputs are dc-coupled so that changing input count rates will not hinder normal operation of the Model 567. The TAC output should be connected to the dc-coupled input of a multichannel analyzer (MCA) for optimum high count-rate performance.

Performance

Time-to-Amplitude Converter

Time Resolution	FWHM ≤0.01% of full scale plus 5 ps for all ranges.
Temperature Instability	≤±0.01%/°C (±100 ppm/°C) of full scale or 10 ps/°C (whichever is greater), 0 to 50°C.
Differential Nonlinearity	Typically <1% from 10 ns or 2% of full scale (whichever is greater) to 100% of full scale.
Integral Nonlinearity	≤±0.1% from 10 ns or 2% of full scale (whichever is greater) to 100% of full scale.
Reset Cycle	Fixed 1.0 µs for X1 and X10 Multipliers, fixed 5 µs for X100 Multiplier, and fixed 50 µs for X1K and X10K Multipliers. Occurs after Over Range, Strobe cycle, or Ext Strobe Reset cycle.
Start to Stop Conversion Time	Minimum ≤5 ns.

Single Channel Analyzer

Threshold Instability	≤±0.01%/°C (±100 ppm/°C) of full scale, 0 to 50°C (referenced to +12 V NIM bin).
Threshold Nonlinearity	≤±0.5% of full scale.

Controls (Front Panel)

Range (ns)	Three-position rotary switch selects full scale time interval of 50, 100, or 200 ns between accepted Start and Stop input signals.
Multiplier	Five-position rotary switch extends time range by a multiplying factor of 1, 10, 100, 1k, or 10k.
Delay	20-turn screwdriver-adjustable potentiometer varies the delay of the TAC and SCA outputs from 0.5 µs to 10.5 µs, relative to an accepted Stop input signal; operable in the Int Strobe mode only.
Strobe Mode	Two-position locking toggle switch selects either Internal or External source for initiating the strobe cycle to strobe valid information from the TAC and SCA outputs.
Start Gate Mode	Two-position locking toggle switch selects Coincidence or Anti-coincidence mode of operation for the Start circuitry. Start circuitry is enabled in the Coinc position or inhibited in the Anti position during the interval of a Start Gate input signal.
Stop Gate Mode	Two-position locking toggle switch selects Coincidence or Anti- coincidence mode of operation for the Stop circuitry. Stop circuitry is enabled in the Coinc position or inhibited in the Anti position during the interval of a Stop Gate input signal.
SCA Window (ΔT)	10-turn precision locking potentiometer sets the SCA upper-level discriminator threshold from 0.05 V to 10.05 V above the Lower Level (T) setting.
SCA Lower Level (T)	10-turn precision locking potentiometer sets the SCA lower level discriminator threshold from 0.05 V to 10.05 V
TAC Inhibit	Two-position locking toggle switch. In the Inhibit position, the TAC output is available only if the output amplitude is within the SCA window. In the Out position, the SCA has no effect on the TAC output.

Controls (Rear Panel)

Ext Strobe Reset

Two-position locking toggle switch allows the converter to be reset nominally 10 µs or 100 µs after an accepted Stop input signal if an Ext Strobe signal has not been received.

Inputs
All six front-panel inputs listed below are dc-coupled, edge-triggered, and printed wiring board (PWB) jumper selectable to accept either negative or positive NIM-standard signals. Input impedance is 50 Ω in the negative position and >1 kΩ in the positive position. The threshold is nominally –400 mV in the negative position and +2 V in the positive position.

Strobe	Provides an external means to strobe a valid output signal from the TAC in the Ext Strobe mode. The input signal, exceeding threshold within the Ext Strobe Reset interval after the Stop input, initiates the read cycle for the linear gate to the TAC output. Factory-set in the positive input position. Ext Strobe Reset interval has a minimum value of ~0.5 µs and a maximum value of nominally 10 µs or 100 µs, switch-selectable on rear panel.
Start	Time conversion initiated when Start input signal exceeds threshold. Factory-set in negative input position.
Stop	Time conversion terminated when Stop input signal exceeds threshold. Factory-set in negative input position.
Reset/Inhib	Terminates conversion cycle and maintains reset condition, inhibiting further TAC conversions, for the duration of the reset cycle or the Reset/Inhib pulse, whichever is longer. A TAC output pulse in process at the time of a Reset/Inhib signal will be completed before converter reset is initiated. Factory-set in the positive input position.
Start Gate	Provides an external means of gating the Start circuitry in either Coincidence or Anticoincidence with the Start input signal. Start Gate input signal must cross threshold ≥10 ns prior to the Start input signal and overlap the trigger edge of the signal. Factory set in the positive input position.
Stop Gate	Provides an external means of gating the Stop circuitry in either Coincidence or Anticoincidence with the Stop input signal. Stop Gate input signal must cross threshold ≥10 ns prior to the Stop input signal and overlap the trigger edge of the signal. Factory set in the positive input position.

Outputs

TAC	Front- and rear-panel BNC connectors provide unipolar pulse. Amplitude  0 to +10 V proportional to Start/Stop input time difference. Time  End of delay period in Int Strobe mode; prompt with Strobe input in Ext Strobe mode. Width  Adjustable by PWB potentiometer from 1 µs to 3 µs.  Impedance  Front panel Zo <10 Ω; rear panel 93 Ω. Rise Time  ~250 ns. Fall Time  ~250 ns.
Valid Start	Rear-panel BNC connector provides NIM-standard slow positive logic level signal. Amplitude  Nominally +5 V. Complement signal selectable by PWB jumper. Time and Width  From accepted Start input to end of reset. Impedance  Zo <10 Ω. Rise Time  ≤50 ns. Fall Time  ≤50 ns.
Valid Conv	Rear-panel BNC connector provides NIM-standard slow positive logic level signal to indicate a Valid Conversion. Amplitude Nominally +5 V. Complement signal selectable by PWB jumper. Time and Width  From end of internal delay after Stop to end of reset. Impedance  Zo ≤10 Ω. Rise Time  ≤50 ns. Fall Time  ≤50 ns.
SCA	Front- and rear-panel connectors provide NIM-standard slow positive logic level signals. Amplitude  Nominally +5 V. Complement signal selectable by PWB jumper. Time and Width From start of TAC linear output to either end of reset or end of linear output, PWB selectable. Factory-set at end of reset. Impedance  Zo ≤10 Ω. Rise Time  ≤50 ns. Fall Time  ≤50 ns.

Electrical and Mechanical

Power Required	+24 V, 95 mA; +12 V, 210 mA; –24 V, 165 mA; –12 V, 330 mA.
Weight	Net  1.4 kg (3 lb).  Shipping  3.2 kg (7 lb).
Dimensions	NIM-standard double-wide module 6.90 X 22.13 cm (2.70 X 8.714 in.) per DOE/ER-0457T.