The trans-SPEC-N is an N-type HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer with everything you need in a single easy-to-handle package. There is no need for liquid nitrogen and no long cables. Everything is complete in one package and ready for use.
The many ORTEC trans-SPEC and Detective instruments already in the field are demonstrating the reliability of the basic design and of the revolutionary miniature Stirling-cycle cooler which ensures reliable and efficient cooling of the integral HPGe detector.
H
PGe Detector and Cooler
The trans-SPEC-N HPGe detector is an ORTEC
GMX Series N-type crystal that is 67 mm in diameter x 69 mm in length and >50% relative efficiency.
The large HPGe crystal increases sensitivity and reduces time-to-MDA. The “over-square” geometry means best absolute efficiency up to in excess of 2 MeV.
The crystal is housed in an all-metal-sealed, ruggedized cryostat, and cooled by a highly reliable miniature Stirling-cycle cooler. This cooler is capable of approximately 1 W of heat lift at 100°K, and draws less than 25 W when operating.
Digital Electronics
Detector signal processing is achieved by advanced digital electronics. An active digital noise reduction filter (LFR) implemented in the digital spectrometer reduces the effect of mechanically generated microphonic noise on the detector output signal, resulting in good energy resolution. Full control of the electronics parameter settings is allowed from the user interface, under password control.
Display and Control
The trans-SPEC-N model features a bright and clear VGA resolution display with a touch sensitive operator screen. Menu navigation is highly intuitive.
The live radionuclide gamma-ray spectrum may be displayed and manipulated (e.g., vertical scale, zoom) similar to a conventional multichannel analyzer in both log and linear display modes.
There are three rows of buttons that are logically grouped together. The top row is used for ROI manipulation and navigation, the second row is used for spectrum display control and the bottom row is for hardware control, storing spectra, and navigation into the Menu Mode.
Real Time Activity Calculations . . . NO PC Required!
A trans-SPEC-N can perform simple nuclide activity calculations using internally stored calibration information, at the touch of a button, and all without the use of an attached PC. Everything is easily managed: the library for analysis, displayed peak labels, unit labels and calibration parameters.
The parameters are all easily created and downloaded by
MAESTRO (MCA emulation software) to the trans-SPEC-N, or entered directly. The parameters can be changed in the field to adapt to changing needs. Activity is calculated for the list of up to 9 nuclides. The spectral data can be saved and later re-analyzed in more detail using a more sophisticated PC-based analysis package such as
GammaVision.
Peak Info Function
A peak information function allows the user to easily check that all is well with the data.
Data Security
MCA Data Security is an important consideration. The MENU has numeric password or PIN protection. The operations are separated into two groups: USER and ADMINISTRATOR. The USER password protects the instrument from unauthorized use, allowing the user to protect data stored in the internal memory. The ADMIN or Setup functions are protected by a different administrator password. The ADMIN functions can only be changed by the Administrator ensuring that your results are based on the correct parameters.
Full Settings Control
Full control of all relevant instrument settings is available under password protection.
Instrument State-of-Health and Status
The trans-SPEC-N HPGe detector incorporates
"SMART-1™" diagnostics, which verify that the instrument is operating properly. State-of-health and instrument status is available at a glance.
CONNECTIONS programs, such as MAESTRO which is included with the trans-SPEC-N, can read the state-of-health status parameters, and display them on a laptop, if connected, or they may be displayed on the trans-SPEC-N status screen. User-developed packages may read the status register through the trans-SPEC-N for maintaining the spectrum QA.
Flexibility in Choice of Power Sources
The trans-SPEC-N can draw power from a variety of sources. For initial cool down from ambient temperature, it is placed on the docking station, or attached to the compact AC/Power Adapter/Charger (PAC). The docking station provides small air movers to assist with initial cool down in conditions of high ambient temperature (>40°C).
MCA Emulation and Spectral Analysis. . . MAESTRO MCA Emulator Included
The latest version
MAESTRO MCA software is included to run on your PC or laptop. It provides a standard graphical user interface and can be used to control all system parameters from the convenient larger screen.
MAESTRO is a member of the ORTEC CONNECTIONS family of products, and provides full networking with other ORTEC spectrometers and supporting computers. MAESTRO includes features for identifying peaks, editing libraries, and creating, printing and saving Regions of Interest (ROI), performing energy calibrations, automating tasks via using simple “Job Streams,” AND MORE!
Create Your Own Custom Software with the Optional A11 Toolkit
The
A11 CONNECTIONS Programmer’s Toolkit is also optionally available for those who wish to integrate the trans-SPEC-N into their own software systems. The Toolkit offers ActiveX Controls to simplify programming with LabVIEW, Visual C++, and Visual Basic. For more information on the Toolkit, ask for the A11 Programmer’s Toolkit brochure.