Single channel list mode instrument

Pulse Train Recorder is a list mode data acquisition device for neutron coincidence counting. The acquisition system consists of an external hardware unit and a user-friendly windows software package. It measures time intervals between consecutive output pulses of a neutron detector. Collected data is sent through a USB line to a PC and stored in a binary file. Data files can be evaluated after measurement. The recorded pulse train can be evaluated with different predelay and gate length, what is not possible with conventional multiplicity shift registers.

Follow-up times

PTR-02 works with follow-up times instead of time stamps. Follow-up times are time intervals between consecutive detector impulses. They remain always in the same range while time stamp values grow unlimited. Time stamps are usually represented by high precision real numbers. In opposite to this follow-up times can be represented as clock counts. These are integer numbers which can be processed faster as usual time stamps. Resulting data files contain the same information as with time stamping but require less space.

Derandomizing

Digitizing cause impulse loss if there are more incoming impulses in a single clock period. Derandomizing circuits compensated for this by a fast intermediate storage which delayed excess impulse processing until the next free clock period. High clock rate of PTR-02 makes this unnecessary because clock period is well below standard detector pulse width.

Copy output

PTR-02 has an output which repeats incoming impulses. Output pulses are shaped and have a fixed width. In this way two units can measure the same impulse train. This eliminates the effect of statistical fluctuation in comparison measurements.

Built-in High Voltage Unit

The optional high voltage unit is is automatically recognized by the control software. Value of high voltage is set from the control program. The software checks for the correct high voltage value during measurement. Units with high voltage option have also a +5V power output for the detector for convenience. They can fed the widely used HLNC detector.

Automatic recording of HV plateau

Specifications

  • Impulse rate: 1 cps – 2,5x106 cps
  • Time resolution: 5ns
  • Input: >20ns TTL impulse, BNC
  • Output: 30 ns TTL impulse, BNC (repeats incoming pulses)
  • USB: Type B receptacle, USB 2.0
  • Supply: USB or 5 VDC, 2.5 A adaptor
  • Dimensions: 180 mm *200 mm* 40 mm
  • High voltage (optional): 2kV, 500µA (software controlled)

Contact

József Huszti
E-mail: huszti@iki.kfki.hu
Phone: +36 1 392-2222 ext. 33-39