SPECTECH

ST450 Scintillation SCA ST450-PC System

Operating Manual

July 2001

Spectrum Techniques, Inc.

ST450 System shown with ST350 Counter and detector.

Model ST450 Introduction

The ST450 Scintillation SCA is a self-contained instrument for measuring energy specific gamma ray emission using a scintillation detector. The ST450 may also be used to interface a scintillation detector or photomultiplier and a multi channel or single channel analyzer. The basic unit provides the following features: High Voltage supply to power the detector or photomultiplier. Charge Sensitive Preamplifier Bipolar Shaping Amplifier to process the signal prior to analysis Adjustable Baseline Control Adjustable window Control Integral and Differential Modes When combined with the Spectech ST350 Radiation Counter and a PC or Macintosh computer, the following features are added: Digital readout Preset Time Preset Counts RAMP mode for automatic Baseline incrementing Computer Control Data Storage Other models of counter/timers that accept a positive logic input signal may be used by connecting them to the SCA output. The ST450 is designed to operate either with negative anode signals directly from a detector or with positive output signals from an external scintillation preamplifier. Scintillation detectors and photomultipliers utilizing a negative high voltage supply are not compatible with the ST450. Normally the ST450 utilizes a MHV high voltage connector, but this may be substituted with a SHV high voltage connector on special order.

Specifications
Preamp In Charge sensitive preamplifier for connecting to the anode output of the detector. This input is used for detectors with a simple voltage divider type tube base producing negative anode output signals. Direct input to the shaping amplifier, used for connecting an external preamplifier producing positive signals. Positive leading bipolar output from the shaping amplifier for connecting to a multi channel analyzer or other external electronics. 0-10 volt range set by coarse and fine gain controls, 1sec. peaking time. Positive TTL compatible pulse output, 1.5sec. duration. Provides an interface to the ST350 via its GM tube connector for counting and remote baseline control. 200-1200 volt positive supply with 1mA maximum current capability. Fully regulated and controlled by 10-turn direct reading potentiometer. MHV and SHV connectors. 16 volt AC from power module supplied.

Amp In

Amp Out

SCA Out ST350 In

High Voltage

Power Input

Controls and Indicators

Power High Voltage H. V. Adjust Push button turns on power to unit and lights the indicator. Push button turns on high voltage and lights the indicator. Direct reading 10-turn potentiometer sets high voltage output level, 200-1200 volts. 6 position rotary switch sets amplifier gain from 2X to 64X. 10-turn direct reading potentiometer sets fine gain from 0.5X to 1.5X. 10-turn potentiometer sets the baseline from 0% to 100%. 1-turn potentiometer sets the window from 1% to 20%. Indicates when pulses are being received and processed by the ST450. Push button switches between Integral and Differential mode and lights the indicator. When the Integral Mode is ON, the Window control is defeated and all counts from the Baseline setting to 100% are amplified and outputted. Push button switches the Baseline control from the Baseline dial on the front panel to the ST-350 IN connector on the rear panel and lights the indicator. the baseline is now controlled by the high voltage setting on the ST350.

Coarse Gain Fine Gain Baseline Window Activity Integral Mode

External Scan

ST450 Front Panel

ST450 Rear Panel

Connecting Peripherals to the ST450

Scintillation Detectors Connect the anode (signal) output from the detector to the Preamp In connector of the ST450. Using the appropriate cable (MHV or SHV, depending on the detector), connect the High Voltage output from the ST450 to the detectors high voltage connection. Multi Channel Analyzer To use the ST450 with a multi channel analyzer, connect the ST450s Amp Out to the MCAs ADC (direct) input. ST250 and ST350 To use the ST450 with the ST350 counter/timer or the ST250 rate meter, connect the ST450s ST-350 IN connector to the ST350/250s GM TUBE connector. Other Counters and Tube Bases Other counters used with the ST450 must have a TTL compatible input. Connect the ST450s SCA OUT to the counters input. Some detector tube bases such as the Tennelec model TC155A incorporate a built-in preamplifier which takes its power from the high voltage supply. In this instance, the output signal from the preamplifier must be connected to the AMP IN connector on the ST450. Also, if an external preamplifier with a positive output signal is used, connect the preamplifiers output to the AMP IN connector of the ST450.

ST450 Calibration
The ST450 is normally calibrated using a CS-137 source with the Fine Gain set to 1.0, the Coarse Gain set to 8, the Baseline set to 66.2%, and the Window set to 5%. The High Voltage is then set to provide the maximum count rate at the SCA Out. Calibrate the ST450 as follows (NOTE: a rate meter such as the ST350 or ST250 is required to perform this calibration): 1. 2. 3. Connect the detector to the ST450 as indicated above. Place a CS-137 source in the well/tray of the detector. Connect the ST350/250s GM TUBE connector to the ST-350 IN connector of the ST450. If using a rate meter with a TTL compatible input, connect it to the SCA OUT of the ST450. Set the ST450s controls to the following settings: Fine Gain: 1.00 Coarse Gain: 8 Baseline: 66.2% Window: 20% High Voltage: ON H. V. Adjust: 200 Volts Integral Mode: OFF Ext Scan: OFF While monitoring the counts with a rate meter, slowly increase the detectors high voltage until the unit begins to count. Continue increasing the high voltage, the countrate should peak and then reduce somewhat. Continue adjusting the high voltage up and down until the peak countrate is obtained. Set the Window to 10% and again, adjust the high voltage for the highest count rate. Set the Window to 5% and adjust the Fine Gain to obtain the highest count rate. The Baseline control will now be calibrated to read directly in keV and the Window with set at 50 keV.

4.

5.

6. 7.

ST450 Operation
Single Channel Analyzer Once the ST450 is calibrated with a detector, it may be used with the ST350 to isolate and count a specific energy peak. This is accomplished as follows: 1. Connect the ST350 to the ST450 as indicated in the Connecting Peripherals to the ST450 section. Turn the EXT SCAN switch OFF. Set the Baseline control to the energy of the peak to be measured. At this setting, the ST450 will amplify and output only the counts in the energy peak. As the resolution of the detector varies with energy, it is always best to adjust the Window setting to the approximate width of the peak and using a check source of the specific isotope to be measured, readjust the Baseline control to obtain the maximum countrate. Set a Preset Time and press Count. The ST350 will display the counts in the specified energy peak when counting is complete.

2. 3.

4.

Cs-137 Spectrum
20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 0

50 keV

5% Window

100

200

300

400

500 Energy

600

700

800

900

1000

662 keV

Co-57 Spectrum
20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 0

50 keV

5% Window

100
122 keV

200

300

400

500 Energy

600

700

800

900

1000

Using the ST450 and ST350 Combination.

The ST350 Radiation Counter provides a convenient counter/timer for use with the ST450. This instrument also offer interfacing to a PC or Macintosh computer for data storage and external baseline control. This feature allows the user to acquire a complete gamma spectrum of the sample being measured and aids in the selection of the correct window setting. Connect the ST350 IN to the GM INPUT on the ST350. Manual Mode Turn on power to both instruments Ensure the EXT SCAN button is not depressed and the high voltage on the ST350 is set to zero. Select TIME and use the up/down buttons on the ST350 to select the required counting time. Return the selector switch to the COUNTS position and preset the COUNT key. The ST350 will acquire data for the selected preset time and display the counts. To use the RATEMETER mode, set the counting time to zero, select RATEMETER and press COUNT. The ST350 will now function as a digital ratemeter which is useful when calibrating the system. More information on useing the ST350 may be found in the instrument manual. Computer Operation Connect the serial cable from the ST350 to the PC or Macintosh and load the appropriate software. Set the selector switch to the REMOTE position and turn on the power. Run the ST350 software. A communication link will be established. Operation of the ST350 will now be from the computer. Data will now be recorded as a sequence file that may be saved as a ASCI file or transferred through the clipboard for opening with a spreadsheet such as Excel. Performing a Spectrum Sweep. The high voltage supply in the ST350 may be used to control the baseline setting of the ST450. This feature allows a complete gamma-ray spectrum of the sample to be acquired which can be very useful for determining correct calibration and window settings. the system is organized so that a high voltage setting of 200 volts on the ST350 corresponds to a baseline of zero (min.) and 1200 volts corresponds to a baseline of 1000 (max.). Using the Lablink software, set the ST350 high voltage to 200 volts. Set the voltage step to 10 volts and turn on the Ramp. Set Runs to 100. Set Preset Time to 10 sec. Set WINDOW on the ST450 to 1%.

Select the EXT SCAN button. Place the sample on the detector. Start the ST350 counting.

The ST350 will now begin counting at zero baseline reference. At the completion of the 10 sec counting period the ST350 will record the data, increment the high voltage by 10 volts, decrement the run counter, reset the data and begin a new count. This process will continue until 100 measurements have be recorded to the maximum voltage value of 1200 volts on the ST350 corresponding to a baseline value of 1000. At the end of the run the ST350 voltage will be restored to 200 volts and the data may be saved as a *.TSV file for exporting to a spreadsheet such as Excel for graphing.

5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Typical Spectrum Sweep of Cs-137 Source.

SIGNAL OUT

HIGH VOLTAGE IN

PC/MAC
SERIAL PORT

ST-350
DATA LINK/ REMOTE

GM TUBE

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR

ST-350 IN

PREAMP IN

HIGH VOLTAGE

ST-450

System Connection Diagram

Wipe Testing Wipe tests are inherently low-level measurements and it is necessary to perform background subtraction on all samples to generate accurate activity data. Because the background reading is low, it is normally counted for a longer period to improve the statistics. The following steps illustrate a typical wipe testing procedure: 1. Set up the ST450 as described in the Single Channel Analyzer section for the energy peak of the source being tested. Remove all radioactive material from the vicinity of the detector. Set a preset time of 600 sec. and begin the counting. When the unit completes the count, record the value and divide the reading by 10 to derive the background counts/min. Position the sample into either the well of the detector or in the sample tray, depending on which detector is being used. Set the preset time to 60 seconds and press START. When the unit times-out record the number of counts. Subtract the background counts/min. and record the net value. This is the counts/minute for the sample.

2. 3. 4.

5.

6. 7. 8.

This concludes the ST450 Instruction Manual. If any problems are encountered or further information is needed, please contact Spectrum Techniques at (865) 482-9937, spectech@esper.com.

Manufactured by: Spectrum Techniques, Inc. 106 Union Valley Road Oak Ridge, TN 37830 USA www.spectrumtechniques.com Tel: (865) 482-9937 Fax: (865) 483-0473

WP30

WP31

WP10

WP12

WP17

WP36

WP23

J1

R92 R96

R94

WP9

WP11 R27

WP15

WP35 C27 R73 R74 R50 R47 R35 C14 R28 C18 R31 R34 C23 R57 R60 D3 D2 WP19 WP20 R64 R71 R55 R58 D1 D4 C26 WP24 C21 BR2 C33 WP25 R40 C32 U9 WP22 WP26 BR1

C1 R11 C51 D14 C4 R15 C8 R20 R17 R16 R4 U3 C10 C16 R21

C13 C9 C11

R29 C15 U4

R24

C12

F1
1 AMP

R23

R19 C7

R30 C19

R49

R3 C2 R12 U1 R1

R8

C6 R13

C17

R33

R5 C5 R18

R7

R22 R25

R26

R9 R2 C3 R10 U2 R6 C29 U7

C SPECTRUM TECHNIQUES 1999 G4500

R80 Q5

C30 Q1 WP18 R63 WP21

C39 R100 U10 D12 R81 C45 R82 R45

C44

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R59 R93 C40 C41 U5 C25 R67

R53 R62 C38A R68 R69 D9 C37 U8

U13 R89 C50 R14 WP8 WP7 WP5 WP2 R37 R88 U14 R56 C42 WP14 WP16 WP13 C43 R85 C47 R87 WP4 WP6WP3 WP1 C46 R86 R84

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R36 R78

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C1 200PF C2 R4 +12V 499* 10PF R8 4.42K* R11 10 C4 10UF U3:B

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1.33K* R1 U1 R9 909*
SA OA IA IB OB SB 14 15 16 13 12 11 10 9 G2

1.62K* R2 +12V

4.99K* R3 C3 10PF R10

G7 1 2 3 4 5 G8 8 7 6

SW1:A 1.33K* R5 U2
SA OA IA IB OB SB 14 15 16 13 12 11 10 9 G6

WP1
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1.62K* R6 +12V

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WP2
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R12 1.1K*

VV+ GND NC SD OD ID IC OC SC

GND

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7

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PREAMP INPUT
WP10
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R15 51

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C7
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R17 100K*

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R21 100K*

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AMP INPUT
WP12

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2.00K* WP13

C14
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R32 1K

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GND MC34085P

U4:C
9 8

R30 R34

499*

R74 51

C C W

WP16
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R33 2.15K*

MC34085P C17 470PF 390PF

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OUTPUT

MC34085P R35

MC34085P C18 .1 GND GND 10

WP15
1

3
+12V R38
C C W

2.15K*

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R36 5.1K +12V LED1 S1

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R37 499* GND D1 R1500F D3 R1500F WP18

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H.V. ON
GND

C20 10UF
1 P2 S2 1

U5 34.8K*
8 4 2 6 5 7 1 VCC RESET TRIG THR OUT CONT DIS GND

WP21 GND
3

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1

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R58 18K

D7 IN914

R57 2.2M*

WP23 GND

LM7805CTB TLO74CN
12 14

R60 2.2M* GND

U9
+5V 3 VO G 2 VI 1

VAL

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R61 U6:D 5.1K

13

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C23 470uF

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6

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1 2 3 5 3 4 6

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1

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3 VO G 1 VI 2

R71 1 C37 470uF

A C 3 -

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BR2
A C 6

R73 2.00K* 10

Title

ST 450
Size Number
5/4/99 (8/9/01) ST450.S01

6
Rev
1

A1
GND -12V

Date Filename

Drawn by Sheet
1

R.S.S

of

+12V

+5V R41 10
1

R44 100k*

REF

C31 R48 .1
1 1 12

R45 18K

C39 .001
14 15

R51 10K

C W

WP27
W 1 5

U10:A
CX RX/CX A B CLR Q 13

GND U11:A

2K Jumpered To GND

2
Q 4

WP28
WINDOW WIDTH
C C W 1

1 2 3

+ 6 3

LM319N GND C40

6 +5V 4 3 1 2

SN74LS123N VAL
+5V 5

WP29 R54

C41 GND .1 R77 GND GND R80 4.99K* -12V 10

R52 1.8K D5 R56

+5V +5V

.1

510

U14 S3 1M
8 4 2 6 5 7 1

R78
VCC RESET TRIG THR OUT CONT DIS GND

GND
INTEGRAL MODE

R79 1.8K D6
ACTIVITY

1.8K

SIGA

+5V +5V

C42 .1

C43 .01

LM555CNB

D10
POWER

+12V

C44 200PF R81 R82 18K C45 200PF

6 7 9 10 11

3
GND GND

R83
+5V

C46 100pf

GND
9 +

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CX RX/CX A B CLR Q 5 1 3 Q 12 2 5 4 6 1

4.99K* C47
C W

2K LM319N
7 +5V

U13:A

U13:B

R85

R84 4.99K* D11 R88 10 C48

EXT SCAN

10

470PF
W

+12V GND

R89 1K
ZERO ADJ.
C C W

R86 4.22k*

R87 4.99K*

1.8K

U11:B

SN74LS123N

SN74LS00N

SN74LS00N

WP35
1

SCA

WP36 R90 4.99K* GND GND

.1
5 2 2 3 + 1 1 4

GND
6 -

GND

6 4 3 1

U12:B
7

U12:A
1

R91 4.99K*

4
ST350

R92 100M +5V R94 C50 .1 D12 1N4148 GND

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8

R93 4.99K*

LF347J

WP30

S4

LF347J

10

LF347J

R96 510

(475k*)(+100k*) R97 2.00k*

REF

C49 WP33 WP32

1 1

R95 4.99K* GND

WP31 GND

WP34
1

.1 R98

+12V

W CW

GND
CCW

10

R99 10K
BASELINE

GND

C51 R100 470PF 100

-12V

D14 1N4148

5
GND

6
GND

U13:C
9 8 10

Title Size

ST 450 (SCA)
Number
5/4/99 (8/8/01) ST420.S02

6
Rev
1

SN74LS00N U13:D
12 11 13

A1
Date Filename Drawn by Sheet
2 RSS

SN74LS00N

of