USB-MCA: 8K Multi-Channel Analyzer with
PHA and MCS Modes and USB Interface

A Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA) is major part of a nuclear spectroscopy system. To meet the requirements of a range of applications, an MCA with Universal Serial Bus interface (USB-MCA) has been developed by BARC. It supports the PHA (Pulse Height Analysis) as well as the MCS (Multi-Channel Scaling) operational modes. The support for the MCS mode has been newly implemented in the USB-MCA without altering its original PHA functionality. The USB-MCA, along with an external detector, spectroscopy amplifier and HV supply, can be used for various energy spectroscopy applications. Also, with appropriate detector, amplifier and Mossbauer drive unit, it can be used for Mossbauer spectroscopy. The new PHAST-MCS application software provided with the USB-MCA, seamlessly integrates with the hardware, featuring a range of standard functions. Option for Source code is available with conditions.

Specifications

General
 

Analog input type	: Positive, unipolar, shaped pulses from external amplifier
Analog input range	: 0 to +10 volts, with minimum 1 µs shaping time constant
Preset Acquisition Time	: Live or Clock, 1 to 99,99,99,999 seconds
Max counts / channel	: 31 bit (2 billion)
LLD, ULD, Baseline	: Digitally set through application software
Power requirement	: 5V, ~ 500 mA through USB bus cable

PHA Mode
 

MCA resolution	: 256, 512, 1K, 2K, 4K and 8K channels
Pulse processing time	: 7 µs including ADC conversion time
Pile up rejection (PUR)	: TTL input from spectroscopy amplifier
DNL	: + 1 %

MCS Mode
 

Dwell time setting	: 10 µs to 999 seconds internal dwell timer
Time-base output	: 1µs active-high LVTTL pulse output driven by internal (on board) dwell timer
Sync pulse input	: 1µs active-high LVTTL input from external hardware
Pass length	: 1024 channels

Software

Application Developed in Qt 3.3.2 and Qwt 4.2.0 for windows XP.
Source code as a part of the technology is available with conditions.

Applications

• Isotope research

• Nuclear reactors

• Accelerators

• Health physics instrumentation

• Mössbauer spectroscopy