Skip to content
USA - English
Search

ICS Integrated Cryocooling System

ICS Integrated Cryocooling System for ORTEC Radiation DetectorsThe ICS integrated electro-mechanical cooling system for HPGe radiation detectors from ORTEC exploits the latest generation in cryogenic technology to provide LN2-free operation with no loss of detector performance.

Using a Sunpower industry proven Stirling cooler, ICS is more efficient and reliable than pulse tube designs. Increased efficiency means improved cooling with proportionally less heat generation and lower power consumption. With a cooler Mean-Time-To-Failure (MTTF) of over 200,000 hours.

  • Literature +

  • Video +

    • Introduction to ICS Integrated Cryocooling System
      ORTEC ICS Video Image

  • More Information +


    ICS is available in two versions to support a wide selection of radiation detector models.

    ICS and ICS-E models incorporate a unique, hardened cryostat, for superior integrity, reliability, and operational performance. This feature allows instant recovery after a loss of power, eliminating the need to fully thermal cycle the detector in the event of a partial warm-up.

    ICS-P4 (PopTop® model), uses a conventional cryostat, which provides full compatibility with ORTEC PopTop radiation detector capsules, and can be used with either new radiation detectors or in-field upgrades.

    All ICS versions are highly reliable, maintenance free, mechanically cooled cryostats that deliver superior performance for HPGe radiation detectors. Using Sunpower’s industry proven Stirling cooler, ICS is more efficient and reliable than Pulse Tube designs. Increased efficiency means improved cooling with proportionally less heat generation and lower power consumption. With a cooler Mean-Time-To-Failure (MTTF) of over 200,000 hours, ICS operational reliability is unmatched.

    All ICS models incorporate AVC™ (Active Vibration Cancellation) technology, and are designed to virtually eliminate vibrational and audible noise levels. This provides resolution performance comparable to LN2 cooled systems in all operational orientations, making it the choice for customers seeking premium resolution and versatility in a vast array of HPGe applications.
     
    Typical Applications
    • Commercial, Government and Environmental Labs – The ICS is a superb choice due to no compromise of resolution performance and low audible noise. There is no requirement for refilling the LN2 on a regular basis, providing increased cost savings, detector availability, and minimizing work hazard.
    • Nuclear Power and Industrial Plants – The ICS provides an advantage in deployments where power failures are frequent. The hardened cryostat increases detector availability by eliminating the need for thermal cycling and reduces equipment down time. With no need for regular maintenance and LN2 filling, personnel spend less time in radiation “hot” zones. The compact size of the ICS allows easy installation into new or existing counting setups.
    • Research and Education – Similar to Lab applications, the ICS is an excellent choice due to no compromise of resolution performance and low audible noise. No need for LN2 gives the ICS a low cost of ownership.
    • Waste Management and Field Remediation – Hardened cryostat version makes the ICS an excellent choice for applications requiring maximum “up time”. PopTop cryostat version allows field upgrades/replacements of existing detectors.
    • Health Physics – Low heat generation, low audible noise and no compromise on resolution performance give the ICS an edge for HPGe systems in the field of health physics, whether as an upgrade or as a new HPGe system.
    • Homeland Security and Safeguards – The ICS is an unmatched solution in these applications due to a combination of unique features: the hardened cryostat which eliminates the need to fully thermal cycle the detector in the event of a partial warm-up or PopTop cryostat which allows field replacements and upgrades, low power consumption and the use of a universal power supply.

  • Specifications +


    Spectroscopic Performance
      ICS and ICS-E  ICS-P4
    New ORTEC Detectors @ ≥100 keV energy equivalent to LN2 with cooler running

    @ <100 keV energy up to 10% resolution degradation

    (see detector configuration guide for specifications)
    		 @ ≥100 keV energy equivalent to LN2 with cooler running

    @ <100 keV energy up to 10% resolution degradation

    (see detector configuration guide for specifications)
    Existing ORTEC detectors
    (resolution specifications
    are relative to existing
    detector performance
    in the field)    		 Return to Factory Service Upgrade.*
    		 PopTop Detector with LN2 Cryostat
    @≥100 keV energy no change
    @<100 keV energy up to 10% resolution degradation

    PopTop Detector with X-COOLER
    No change or lower resolution

    Non-PopTop Detector
    Return to Factory Service Upgrade* for conversion to PopTop.
    Note: Resolution is warranted at room temperature.
    • Performance of an upgraded radiation detector is warranted to be within 10% of the combined resolution and efficiency of the HPGe radiation detector at the time of the upgrade. This will be determined at the factory before reconfiguration.
      An example of combined relative efficiency and resolution is a 5% increase in resolution and a 5% decrease in relative efficiency, or a 10% increase in resolution and 0% decrease in relative efficiency.
      Consult the factory for upgrade of a non-ORTEC radiation detector into hardened vacuum or PopTop configurations.

    Specifications - Common for ICS, ICS-E and ICS-P4
    HPGe Compatibility
    		 All ORTEC GEM, GMX and PROFILE detectors.
    Resolution (warranted at room temperature) See Spectroscopic Performance
    Cooler AMETEK Sunpower with AVC™ (active vibration cancelation) technology.
    All-Attitude Operation Yes
    Compatible Endcap Windows Aluminum, Carbon Fiber, Beryllium. 
    Electrical Supply 100–240 V AC (50/60 Hz) auto ranging. 
    Low/Reduced Background Option Yes
    Audible Noise Less than 55 dBA at 1 meter fully operational, below 30°C ambient.
    Environmental Temperature range: –10°C to 40°C.
    Vacuum Longevity*: >5 year @ 25°C.**
    Humidity: non-condensing.
    *Vacuum integrity can be restored with factory service.
    **Degrade by 0.3 year per °C in excess of 25°C.
    Auxiliary Cooling Internal fan (vented).
    Backup Battery No built-in battery. ICS is compatible with commercial batteries and universal power supplies (UPS). ORTEC offers an optional UPS.
    Cooler Life >200,000 hours.
    Warranty 2 years on cryocooler, internal controller and active noise cancellation.
    1 year on new detector and preamplifier.
    CE Conforms to CE standards for radiated and conducted emissions, susceptibility, and low-voltage power directives.
    NRTL Certification verifies, through OSHA-approved NRTL certification authority TÜV SÜD, that the product meets U.S. electrical safety standards (UL/ANSI).
    Maintenance No maintenance is required.
    Stand Compatibility Stand not included. Optional stand (ICS STAND 2) is available. 

    Specifications - Unique for ICS, ICS-E and ICS-P4

    		 ICS and ICS-E ICS-P4
    Hardened Cryostat Yes No
    PopTop Compatible No Yes
    Molecular Sieve No Yes
    Weight 31 lbs. (14 kg) excluding the detector.
    		 28.5 lbs. (12.7 kg) excluding the detector capsule.
    Typical Power Consumption (at room temperature)
    		 70 W typical, 130 W maximum.
    		 80 W typical, 200 W maximum.
    Typical Cooldown Time

    • Small Detector
    (<40% rel. eff.)    		 5 hours 6–8 hours
    • Medium Detector
    (40–70% rel. eff.)    		 6 hours 12–14 hours
    • Large Detector
    (up to 100% rel. eff.)    		 8 hours 14–18 hours
    Status Display
    		 ICS only
    4 LED lights indicate status:  POWER ON, COOLER ON, DETECTOR COLD, OVERRANGE (preamp count rate)

    ICS-E only
    2 LED lights indicate status:  POWER ON, COOLER ON
    		 1 LED light indicate status:  power on
    Preamp Configuration
    		 Internal (ICS) or External (ICS-E). See note for ICS below.
    		 External
    Connectors
    		 ICS only (connectors on front panel) (includes detector cable set)
    4 each BNC (energy out, energy or timing out, HV Shutdown, test).
    1 each SHV cable (high voltage in).
    1 each 9 pin (preamp power)

    ICS-E only (includes detector cable set)
    Standard 1 ft (0.3 m) detector cable bundle comes from detector endcap.
    		 None (does not include detector cable set)
    Note:  Internal and External preamp configurations are with reference to the cooler enclosure. “Internal” means the preamp is inside cooler enclosure which makes the detector capsule smaller. “External” means the preamp is outside of the cooler enclosure and typically inside the detector capsule. Most standard streamline and PopTop detectors have the preamp inside the detector capsule as described for the “External” configuration.

  • ICS Stand +


    The ICS STAND 2 is intended for single user installation of any ICS model. It incorporates a multi-positional height selector to set overall operating height, and uses a pneumatic arm to raise and lower the ICS. This variable height selection accommodates most commercial shield tables. Note, the ICS STAND 2 is for vertical orientation only.

    Caution: Since the ICS must be installed into a shield from below, the user must ensure the shield opening is greater than the detector seal-clamp diameter on the ICS/ICS-E.

  • Ordering Information +


    For ICS and ICS-E, see the detector configuration guide of the detector choice - GEM, GMX, or PROFILE.

    Model Description 
    CFG-ICS-P4 Integrated Cryocooling System for PopTop Detectors
    ICS STAND 2 Vertical Positioning Stand for any model ICS