Complete X- Ray and Gamma-RaySpectrometer

X-123CdTe

The X-123CdTe is a complete X-Ray Detector & Gamma-Ray System in one small box that fits in your hand.

INCLUDES
1 CdTe X-Ray & Gamma-Ray Detector
and Preamplifier
2 Digital Pulse Processor and MCA
3 Power Supply and Interface with PCFeatures• Compact integrated system• Simple to operate• Small size (2.7 x 3.9 x 1 in or 7 x 10 x 2.5 cm)• Low power (2.5 W)• Light weight (6.3 oz or 180 g)• USB and RS232 Communication

Applications

No Liquid Nitrogen• Medical X-Ray & Gamma-Ray Detection,        Mammography, Radiology, Conventional X-Ray• X-Ray Fluorescence Instrumentation• Art and Archaeology• Portable X-Ray & Gamma-Ray Instruments• X-Ray & Gamma-Ray Research• Teaching• Nuclear Plant Monitoring• Uranium and Plutonium Detection

The X-123CdTe is capable of detecting energies from afew keV to several hundreds of keV.
57Co Spectrum
122 keVDetector• CdTe for X-Ray & Gamma-Ray detection• 2-Stage thermoelectrical cooler• Area: 9 or 25 mm2• Thickness: 1 mm

Counts

14.4 keV

850 eV FWHM
530 eV FWHMTypical Performance• Resolution at 122 keV <1.2 keV FWHM
• Optimum energy range: 5 keV to 150 keV• Max count rate: Up to 2 x 105 cps

Energy (keV)

Detailed performance depends on detector and configuration, which can be optimized for specific applications.

Overview

The X-123 represents the culmination of 14 years of X-ray detector development at Amptek.  Our philosophy has always been to create small, low power, high performance instruments while keeping them simple
to operate.  The X-123CdTe exemplifies this philosophy by providing in a single package the XR-100T-CdTe X-Ray
and Gamma-Ray Detector and its Charge Sensitive Preamplifier; the DP5 Digital Pulse Processor with pulse shaper,  MCA, and interface; and the PC5 Power Supply.  All that is needed is a +5 Volts DC input and a USB, Ethernet or
RS232 connection to your computer.

AMPTEK INC. 14 DeAngelo Drive, Bedford, MA 01730-2204 U.S.A.

Tel: +1 (781) 275-2242

Fax: +1 (781) 275-3470

e-mail: sales@amptek.com www.amptek.com

X-123CdTe Specifications
SYSTEM PERFORMANCEPOWER

Energy Resolution@ 122 keV, 57Co

25 mm2: <1.5 keV FWHM, typical

Nominal Input

5 to 150 keV. May be used at higher energy withlower efficiency, contact Amptek.

+5 VDC at 500 mA (2.5 W) (typical). Current depends
strongly on detector ∆T. Ranges from 300 to 800 mA
at 5 VDC. AC adapter provided.

Input Range

4 V to 6 V (300 to 200 mA, 500 mA max))High Voltage Supply

Internal multiplier, set to 500 V, adjustable to 750 V

Cooler Supply

Closed loop controller with ∆Tmax = 85°C

Maximum Count Rate
Depends on peaking time. Recommended maxima for 50% dead time with pile-up
rejection enabled are shown below:
DP5 Peaking Time (µs)

2.4 µs

6.4 µs25.6 µs

Shaping Time (µs)

1.0 µs2.9 µs11.6 µs

Recommended Max Rate

1.2 x 105

4.6 x 104

1.2 x 104

DETECTOR AND PREAMPLIFIER
Detector Type

CdTe (also available with Si-PIN or SDD)

Detector Area

9 mm2 or 25 mm2

Detector Thickness

1 mm

Be Window Thickness

4 mil (100 μm)

Thermoelectric Cooler

2-stage

Preamplifier Type

Amptek custom design with current feedback.

GENERAL and ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating Temperature -20 °C to +50 °C
Warranty Period

1 yearTypical Device Lifetime

5 to 10 years, depending on use

Storage and Shipping

Typical: -20 °C to +50 °C, 10 to 90% humidity noncondensing
Long-term storage: 10+ years in dry environment

Compliance

RoHS Compliant
TUV Certification
Certificate #: CU 72101153 01¨

Energy Range

9 mm2: <1.2 keV FWHM, typical

TUVRheinland

Tested to: UL 61010-1: 2009 R10.08

CCAN/CSA-C22.2 61010-1-04+GI1

PULSE PROCESSORUSGainCombination of coarse and fine gain yields overallgain continuously adjustable from 0.84 to 127.5

Coarse Gain

Software selectable settings from 1.12 to 102 in 16
log steps. 1.12, 2.49, 3.78, 5.26, 6.56, 8.39, 10.10,11.31, 14.56, 17.77, 22.42, 30.83, 38.18, 47.47,66.26, 102.0

Fine Gain

Software selectable, 0.75 to 1.25, 10 bit resolution

TipTransmit

To PC Receive DB9 pin 2 (DB25 pin 3)

Full Scale1000 mV input pulse @ x1 gain

Ring

Receive

To PC Transmit DB9 pin 3 (DB25 pin 2)

Gain Stability<20 ppm / °C (typical)

SleeveGroundTo PC Ground DB9 pin 5 (DB25 pin 7)

Pulse Shape

Trapezoidal

Ethernet

Standard Ethernet connector (RJ-45)

Peaking Time

24 software selectable peaking times between 0.8
and 102 μs, approximately log spaced, corresponding to semi-gaussian shaping times of 0.4 to 45 μs.

PowerHirose MQ172-3PA(55), Mating plug: MQ172-3SA-CV

Dead Time

Total dead time is 1.05 times the peaking time. No
conversion time.

Fast Channel Pulse Pair
120 nsResolving Time

MCA
Number of Channels
Presets

CONNECTORS
USB

Standard USB Mini 1.1 jack

RS232
Standard 2.5 mm stereo audio jack

Auxiliary
2 x 8 16-pin 2 mm spacing (Samtec part number ASP-135096-01). Mates withcable assembly (Samtec P/N TCMD-08-S-XX.XX-01). Top row odd pins, bottomrow even pins. Top right pin = 1, bottom right pin = 2.
Pin #Name

Pin #Name

1

SCA1

2

SCA2

3SCA3

4

SCA4

Software selectable to 8k, 4k, 2k, 1k, 0.5k, or 0.25k
channels

5

SCA5

6

SCA6Time, total counts, counts in an ROI, counts in a channel

7SCA7

8

SCA89

AUX_IN_1

10

AUX_OUT_1

11

AUX_IN_2

12

AUX_OUT_2

COMMUNICATIONS
USB2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps)

13IO2

14IO3Serial

Standard RS232 at 115.2 k or 57.6 Kbaud

15GND

16GND

Ethernet

10 base-T

For full system specifications, please see http://www.amptek.com

X-123CdTe Interface Software

ADMCA

The X-123CdTe can be controlled by the Amptek ADMCA display and acquisition software.  This software completely controls
and configures the X-123CdTe, and downloads and displays the data.  It and supports regions of interest (ROI), calibrations, peaksearching, and so on.  The ADMCA software includes a seamless interface to the XRF-FP quantitative X-ray analysis software package.  Runs under Windows 98SE or later (32-bit only) on PC compatible computers. Windows XP PRO SP2 or later recommended.

DPP APIThe X-123CdTe comes with an Application Programming Interface (API) in the form of a DLL library.  The user can use this libraryto easily write custom code to control the X-123CdTe for custom applications or to interface it to a larger system.  Examples areprovided in VB, VC++, etc. on how to use the API.  A Window CE/Pocket PC version is also provided.

VB Demonstration Software

The VB demonstration software runs on a personal computer and permits the user to set the X-123CdTe parameters, to start andstop data acquisition, and to save data files.  It is provided with source code and can be modified by the user.  This software is intended as an example of how to manually control the X-123CdTe through either the USB or RS-232 interface using the most basic
calls without the DPP API.  This is primarily needed as an example when writing software for non-Windows platforms.

X-123CdTe Description

Amptek’s specialty is X-ray spectrometers, which are small,
low power, high performance, and simple to operate.  The X123CdTe combines in a single package Amptek’s standard, highperformance X-ray spectroscopy components: the XR100TCdTe detector and preamplifier, DP5 digital pulse processor
and MCA, and PC5 power supply.  The result is a complete integrated system which can fit in your hand.  In many commercially available systems, the preamplifier alone has more size,
mass, and power than this integrated system.  It requires only
2 connections to run: +5 VDC power and a standard RS-232 orUSB bus.  With the X-123CdTe, anyone can rapidly obtain highquality X-ray and Gamma-ray spectra.

count rates; (2) greater flexibility since more configuration options are available and they are selected by software over a RS232 interface, and (3) improved stability and reproducibility.  TheDP5 digitizes the preamplifier output, applies real-time digitalprocessing to the signal, detects the peak amplitude (digitally),and bins this value in its histogramming memory, generating
an energy spectrum.  The spectrum is then transmitted over theDP5’s interface to the user’s computer.  The Amptek DP5 has 6main function blocks to implement these functions: (1) an analog prefilter; (2) an ADC; (3) a digital pulse shaper; (4) pulse selection logic; (5) histogram logic, and (6) interfacing hardware(which includes a microcontroller) and software.

X-rays & Gamma-rays interact with CdTe atoms to create
an average of one electron/hole pair for every 4.43 eV of energy
lost in the CdTe.  Depending on the energy of the incoming radiation, this energy loss is dominated by either the photoelectric effect or Compton scattering.  The probability or efficiencyof the detector to “stop” the incoming radiation and create
electron/hole pairs increases with the thickness of CdTe.

The power supply is Amptek’s PC5, a single board. The input is approximately +5 VDC with a current of about 250 mA.  
The PC5 uses switching supplies to produce all the low voltages
required for the digital processor and the preamplifier.  It also
includes a high voltage multiplier to produce the detector bias
voltage, typically 500 V for 1 mm thick CdTe, but variable up to750 V, and supply for the thermoelectric cooler which provides
closed loop control with a maximum temperature differentialof 85 °C.

The detector is mounted on a thermoelectric cooler alongwith the input FET and coupled to a custom charge sensitive
preamplifier.  The thermoelectric cooler reduces the electronicnoise in the detector and preamplifier, but the cooling is transparent to the user: it operates like a room temperature system.
The pulse processor is the DP5, a digital pulse processor
which replaces both the shaping amplifier and multichannel
analyzer (MCA) found in most analog systems.  The use of digital technology improves several key parameters: (1) better performance, specifically better resolution and operation at higher

The complete system is packaged in 7 x 10 x 2.5 cm3 aluminum box, with the detector mounted on an extender.  In its standard configuration, only two connections are required: power(+5 VDC) and serial (either USB or RS232).  The DP5 board supports several additional inputs and outputs, if the X-123CdTe
will be integrated with other equipment.  This includes an MCAgate, a memory buffer select signal, timing outputs, and SCAouputs.

X-123 Architecture and Connection Diagram,For full system specifications, please see http://www.amptek.com

241Am Spectrum

X-123CdTe Typical Results

Lead (Pb) Fluorescence from 57Co

59.54 keVCountsCounts

Pb Lα
10.5 keV

600 eV FWHM
13.95

22.1 keVPb Kα272.8 keV

Pb Lβ
12.6 keV
Pb Lγ
14.8 keV

390 eV keV
FWHM

Pb Kα1
75 keV

Escape Peaks

Pb Kβ184.9 keV

Energy (keV)

Energy (keV)

109Cd Spectrum

137Cs Spectrum

Pb Kβ287.3 keV

430 eV
FWHM

CountsCounts

662 keV

5.9 keV FWHM

88 keV565 eV FWHM
Energy (keV)

Energy (keV)

X-123CdTe Mechanical Dimensions
1.00[25.40]0.27[6.86](TYP 2 PLS)ETHERNET
5V

0.52[13.08](TYP 2 PLS)
1.84
[46.74]0.68[17.27]

2.15[54.61]

0.28[7.00]Be WINDOW

0.41[10.41]AUX

RS-232 USB
IO

2.67[67.82]

3.94[100.00]

0.26[6.60](TYP 4 PLS)

0.55
[13.97]3.15[80.00]0.70[17.78]DIMENSIONS: INCHES[MILLIMETERS]

0.34[8.64]
1.50(OPTIONAL [38.10]
EXTENDER) (STANDARDEXTENDER)

X-123CdTe Experimental Set-up

0.50[12.70]

Mounting Kit

The X-123CdTe and Mini-X on the MP1 mounting plate.

For full system specifications, please see http://www.amptek.com

AMPTEK INC.

Tel: +1 (781) 275-2242

14 DeAngelo Drive, Bedford, MA 01730-2204 U.S.A.
Fax: +1 (781) 275-3470 e-mail: sales@amptek.com www.amptek.com