APS TV - New Feature at APS 2013 Conference

Pretty cool feature offered at APS this year. A dedicated channel shown throughout the Convention Center as well as at partnered hotels so attendees can always be dialed into the conference. Learn More..

APS Conference 2013 - Baltimore, MD

Come by our booth to see our new RF / Microwave Signal Generators, Femtosecond Digital Delay Generators and our industry leading Isotope Identifiers.

New Isotope Identifier Operating System - Eagle OS 3. 8. 5

Berkeley Nucleonics, a California scientific instrumentation manufacturer, has officially released Eagle 3.8.5, a powerful update to it’s Isotope Identification Algorithms and Handheld Instrumentation Operating system.

New features in the OS, which can be field updated, address common requirements from users across different disciplines. Workers in radiation safety, health physics or emergency response are all benefitting from features such as:

-          Enhanced “Review Spectra” capabilities

-          Customizable Trigger Lists (CTL)  can be created by the user on a PC with factory assistance.

-          Food Contamination Measurements - users gain the ability to quantify radiation contamination in the field along with their real time radionuclide identification.

With the latest release of the Eagle Operating System 3.8.5, BNC provides users of the SAM 940 with a quick review feature to display the most recent spectra(s) captured at the push of a button.  Another handy feature is to review only the most recent 10 Spectra.

Customized Trigger Lists (CTL) allow users to set up instrumentation for application specific activities. Because the SAM isotope identifiers serve a cross section of user fields, we have added CTLs so users can narrow down the windows of isotopes of interest. An inspector may have a very different mission requirement than a hospital Radiation Safety Officer. CTLs enable quick program management and simplify the end-user tasks.

The Food Contamination Measurement feature enables users to make readings, presumably in a known geometry, and then convert the radiation levels into contamination in Becquerel / Kilogram. A computer is not required and the data need not be transferred off of the SAM 940 Isotope Identifier.

New Feature - Review Recent Spectra

                Quickly refer to your ten most recently acquired Spectrum Reports

Starts with the most recent, then press Previous to review the next most recent spectra in descending order.

New Feature – Custom Trigger List / Custom Nuclide Library

The default trigger list is the ANSI list, but a new “User” trigger list can be selected in the Field Settings menu, and this “User” list can be easily edited by using PC with a CF card reader.

New Feature – Food Contamination Measurements

Measure radiation activity in food, water, and soil samples.  Menu driven instructions to easily perform the necessary Efficiency Calibrations for making these specific measurements. 

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test, measurement and nuclear research. BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the field of isotope identification and conducts hundreds of short courses on radiation detection and isotope identification for Federal and State agencies. 

Workshop on RF and Microwave Signal Generation and Measurement Coincides with APS Conference

A free workshop covering techniques for RF/Microwave signal generation and measurements is available to the technical community during the 2013 American Physics Society annual meeting. A total of 120 spots are available on a first come first serve basis with registration available at http://info.berkeleynucleonics.com/APS-2013 .

The workshop is sponsored by Berkeley Nucleonics (BNC Corp) and is held as part of the APS conference just after exhibit hours at the Hilton Baltimore, Key Ballroom 3 on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:30‐7:30PM. BNC will also have a booth at the APS Show which runs from March 18 - 22. This workshop will give researchers and engineers in the RF/Microwave field an in-depth overview of techniques for signal generation and measurement, along with hands on activities using instrumentation and software tools.  “The APS Conference was selected as one of several venues well suited for this workshop by Berkeley Nucleonics,” comments Alex Palm, RF Product Line Manager. “The community of Physicists attending cover a wide range of applications and demand is growing for RF and Microwave products and training.”  The American Physics Society is widely recognized as the leading US organization of physicists and publishes the world-renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters.

The use of RF and Microwave signal generators has exploded as communications and defense requirements worldwide grow rapidly. The increasing demand of wireless devices create a need for higher frequencies, stimulating job opportunities and industrial growth in critical market segments such as radar, remote sensing, remote control, sensors, navigation, surveillance, electronic warfare, radiometers, plasma research, and imaging.

About the Company -- Berkeley Nucleonics is a leading manufacturer of Pulse and Digital Delay Generators, Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generators and RF/Microwave Signal Generators. The company recently introduces the Model 845 20GHz Signal Generator, a breakthrough in performance, size and low power consumption.  BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the Test and Measurements field. 

Berkeley Nucleonics offers full-featured high performance alternative to big-ticket microwave / rf equipment

Berkeley Nucleonics announces the Model 835-M 3GHz RF / Microwave Signal Generator. The modular packaging offers users an extremely versatile Microwave and RF signal source, loaded with features and specifications at the top of it’s class. With the latest developments in component technology, the company can offer this capability at prices unseen prior.

Two model options allow frequency ranges from 9kHz to 3GHz and 9kHz to 20GHz respectively, with very low phase noise, fast switching speeds, full sweeping functions, and extensive modulation in a small package. This product is useful for experimenters requiring high performance and many traditional features yet fighting a constrained budget.  

Programming and control are performed through various interfaces such as USB A/B and Ethernet. We have removed a front panel interface on the Model 835-M to reduce size and cost. A comprehensive soft-panel GUI is included, providing intuitive PC or Linux-based programming. SCPI programming is also a standard feature. An API library is provided that can be used to control the sources via Linux in a simple and straightforward method. An National Instruments Certified LABView driver is in development and the company expects a release date of 02/13.

Innovative design techniques and component breakthroughs allow Berkeley Nucleonics to combine improved flexibility in features with and budget-stretching price points.  In addition to high performance instrumentation, BNC is recognized for excellent customer service and technical support, offering a standard 2-year warranty and same-day overnight shipments on the RF line. A Live-Chat module at www.berkeleynucleonics.com gives users access to Application Engineers at all times..

“Our RF line of Signal Generators represent some fantastic R&D. Product development cycles have shortened and end users expect innovative designs on a continuous basis. We are committed to advancing the technology quickly and have a slate of new products in development for 2013 also”, remarked David Brown, Company President.

About The Company :

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test, measurement and nuclear research. BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the Test and Measurements field.

For additional information on Microwave / RF instrumentation, please visit www.berkeleynucleonics.com or call (800)234-7858

BNC - An Introduction to Nuclear Scintillator Detectors

Digital Training Program - An Introduction to Nuclear Scintillator Detectors Berkeley Nucleonics, an authority in the nuclear science community, is offering an educational introduction to Nuclear Scintillation Detectors in an online training module. Scintillation detectors are woven into the fabric of many nuclear applications. From medicine to industrial process controls to power, the nuclear community is increasingly addressing world concerns. As a member of this technical community for 50 years, we offer valuable perspectives and hands-on expertise to engineers just getting started. Our web-based general introduction course should serve as a springboard for deeper exploration in more granular fields.

The web-based course takes 4 hours and touches on many aspects of nuclear materials, from the components of a PMT to temperature effects on crystals. This introductory course will begin to familiarize students with common terminology (anode, photocathode, PMT, isotope identification, peak resolution, photodiode, etc) and offer students the flexibility to complete it on their own schedule. As the nuclear sciences grow in popularity and applications, an entry level introduction course is a handy prerequisite to classroom or workshop discussions. The course is made available to instructors digitally as well to address any hosting requirements. Radiation detector training is also valuable to Hazmat professionals or Fire Fighters who seek a deeper understanding of the components in nuclear detection and isotope identification. “BNC supports a wide range of customers varying from operational field needs to demanding research programs. We integrate those experiences into our widely acclaimed hands on training programs. This web module is our natural extension, allowing users to train when most convenient for them”, remarked Robert Corsetti, the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “The interactive nature of the training is really interesting also.”

Please contact our office for a PPT copy of this training course.









Press Contact: Bernadette Jamieson, 800-234-7858 x210, bernadette.jamiesonberkeleynucleonics.com 

Technical Contact : Robert Corsetti, 800-234-7858 x250, robert.corsettiberkeleynucleonics.com 

About The Company:

Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test, measurement and nuclear research. BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the field of isotope identification and conducts hundreds of short courses on radiation detection and isotope identification for Federal and State agencies.

Keywords: Isotope Identifier, Radiation Detector, Nuclear Isotope Identification, Radiopharmaceuticals, Medical Isotopes, Nuclear Science, Custom Detectors, Custom Scintillator Detectors, Nuclear Measurements, Nuclear Physics, Photomultiplier Tube, Nuclear Medicine

Berkeley Nucleonics at IEEE 2012 in Anaheim, CA

Great video above of what Berkeley Nucleonics' demonstrated at the IEEE 2012 show. Visit our website www.berkeleynucleonics.com or email us at infoberkeleynucleonics(dot)com.

BNC Celebrates 25 Year Partnership with PT Systems

Berkeley Nucleonics (BNC) President David Brown visited one of it's California contract manufacturing firms last week to celebrate 25 years of cooperation. PT Systems Inc (Concord, CA) is a select manufacturer for Berkeley Nucleonics, manufacturing BNC designs in Test, Measurement and Nuclear Research. "Using local manufacturing allows us to easily interface on design, specifications and mechanical issues", comments Brown.

New Microwave RF Signal Generator

Berkeley Nucleonics Sets Industry Benchmark With Introduction Of New Microwave Signal Generator / Rf Signal Generator Frequency Sources Berkeley Nucleonics commercially releases a full line of high performance, robust, and extremely cost effective Microwave / RF signal generators. This Microwave / RF product line sets a new standard in performance to cost. Capable of producing in excess of 20GHz, with very low phase noise, fast switching speeds, extensive modulation capabilities in a variety of packaging options, including benchtop, portable battery operation, 1U 19” rackmount, and card-level for OEM integration. These instruments offer the widest array of options to meet almost any application requirement.

Modern design techniques and component breakthroughs allow Berkeley Nucleonics to combine improved flexibility in features with and budget-stretching price points. “We are very excited to bring these new Microwave Source solutions to our customers”, states David Brown, President of Berkeley Nucleonics. “We are addressing the requirements for faster switching speeds in modulation and sweep routines with this product. The demands of today’s R&D engineers in applications like cellular, satellite and communications are rigorous. It is a timely product as we celebrate 50 years of signal generator manufacturing for the scientific community.”

Excellent quality, performance, and price are only part of the unique attributes that BNC offers its customers. The company is also known for excellent customer service and technical support, offering a standard 2-year warranty, same-day overnight shipments, Live-Chate with Application Engineers through it’s website and flexible customization options. About The Company : Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test, measurement and nuclear research. BNC has its corporate headquarters in San Rafael, California with several additional manufacturing facilities and sales offices located throughout the United States. Founded in 1963, BNC has been a recognized leader in the Test and Measurements field. For additional information on Microwave / RF instrumentation, please visit www.berkeleynucleonics.com or call (800)234-7858 Press Contact: Technical Contact: Bernadette Jamiason Alex Palm 800-234-7858 x205 (707)291-3073

SAM 940 Isotope Identifier Training in Indonesia

Recently Berkeley Nucleonics' representative from NATS, Ed Maswood, conducted an onsite training in Indonesia as a part of BNC's continuing global effort to assist in the monitoring and identification of nuclear isotopes.

For more information on BNC's online and onsite training please visit our website at www.berkeleynucleconics.com , call us at 415-453-9955 or email us directly info (at) berkeleynucleonics.com

A New Activity, Safecasting

A community has formed around the globe of individuals who are using Berkeley Nucleonics and other Radiation Detection devices (SAM Isotope Identifier Shown) for streaming data on background radiological levels to a google map online. The updates are sent with various GPS apps from the Android Market and from the Iphone Market. Data is typically in Rem or Sieverts.

Robots Investigate Fukushima Facilities

Fukushima uses advanced Robots to climb stairs and investigate facilities. Berkeley Nucleonics has deployed hundreds of radiation detection systems for isotope identification in Asian regions. Our most common units generate radiological data coupled with GPS data and the results are available online at www.berkeleynucleonics.com

http://youtu.be/ggr315PprFM

Berkeley Nucleonics - SAM 940 Isotope Identifier

Double-fisted....the technicians at Berkeley Nucleonics are testing RIIDs (radionuclide isotope identification devices) to meet a surge in demand following Fukushima. Model SAM 940 Revealer shown above with Lanthanum Bromide.

BNC Training in Japan

Berkeley Nucleonics sent a team of trainers to Japan to work with local agencies and end users in addressing some of the nuclear concerns. Berkeley manufactures the fastest room-temperature isotope identifier available, routinely identifying sources in a couple seconds with accurate results.

Japan Atomic Crisis Reaches Chernobyl Level

Japan raised the severity rating of its nuclear crisis to the highest, matching the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, after increasing radiation prompted the government to widen the evacuation zone and aftershocks rocked the country.

Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency yesterday raised the rating to 7. The accident at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant previously was rated a 5 on the global scale, the same as the 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.

Read more by clicking the link.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-12/japan-atomic-crisis-reaches-chernobyl-level-as-radiation-climbs.html

BNC Shipping Units to Japan

Company founder Mel Brown watches as Radiation Isotope Identifiers are loaded on truck for Tokyo.

David Brown - BNC.....Since 1963

Eagle-A Operating System Upgrade provides critical information for Food and Water Monitoring in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan.

Berkeley Nucleonics is offering an upgrade to the SAM 940 Isotope Identifier for radionuclide identification of Cs-134, Cs-137 and I-131 to address a growing concern for screening meat, fish, eggs, milk, and water.

Eagle Operating System (EOS) includes specific features to identify radioactive contamination resulting from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant leak of radiation into the local environments. The upgrade allows an additional mode for less technical users to screen specific concerns without compromising analytical spectroscopy stored in the instrument memory. Furthermore, the firmware allows compliance with federal guidelines for contamination monitoring already in place.

Photo courtesy of www.globaldirt.org


The SAM Defender and SAM Revealer are the latest in a growing line of isotope identification technologies offered by Berkeley Nucleonics. Our Firmware update, Eagle–A, increases operational capabilities for current market conditions. The new category F/W, represents food and water and shows the presence of radiation in light blue peaks. Shown here is our SAM 940 Revealer with 3.5% resolution LaBr detectors. GPS data is also available and many users are posting live data online for general public considerations.

“The SAM 940 is a world-class isotope identifier. Our service and training programs are also coveted by a community of users with a variety of applications. Eagle-A is a reminder that Berkeley Nucleonics supports the changing needs of radiation measurements faster than anyone in the market, be it new medical isotopes, industrial isotopes or in this case, additional food and water screening”, comments David Brown, BNC President.

About the Company

BNC’s radiation detection products are popular for detection, dosimetry and isotope identification and in use by HazMat teams, firefighters, first responders, and border protection personnel. Analytical products offer real time medical, industrial, SNM and NORM nuclear isotope identification. From pager to portal, the company offers a program of radiation detection with a comprehensive approach to detection and disposition. Our cooperative efforts with numerous State and Federal agencies give BNC customers the confidence they need when developing radiation detection activities.

BNC offers an accredited training program which provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques involved in radiation detection and isotope identification. This program also provides CEUs and can educate new and experienced users. Regional courses or on-site courses are available. Since 1963, BNC has been a pioneer in nuclear instrumentation.

Additional Information on EAGLE-A thresholds for Food and Water monitoring:
MDA for Radiation Detectors / Federal Guidelines



Eagle OS Features
-Data on Demand
-Export Capabilities
-ID Confidence Boost
-Enrichment Level
Discrimination (Uranium only)
-Color Coded ID
-Hands Free Calibration
-Library Enhancement
-GPS Gecko Compatibility

Eagle OS Applications
-GPS Mapping of Radiological Movement
-City Based Radiation Tracking
-PC-Link with SAM-Control software
-Doserate Data Dumps every Five Seconds
-Transportation Vehicle Live Monitoring
-DOE and DNDO Reachback File Types
-Confirm Medical Treatments using Reachback

Specifications
Communication Serial, Ethernet, Custom
File Types ANSI N42.42, User Defined
Spectrum Resolution Down to 3% at Cesium (662 keV)
Operating Temperatures -20 to +50 degree C
Power Options Vehicle, AC, Battery
Telemetry Cellular, WiFi, Radio

Berkeley Nucleonics Radiation Detection Products Used In Japan

In response to the Japanese nuclear power plant disaster, Berkeley Nucleonics has delivered 100's of radiation detectors to US and Japanese nationals who are working in and around the contaminated facility. We have donated numerous shipments and continue to provide around-the-clock support for end users and regional service and training centers. For a list of agents in Asia, please see our International Pull-Down Menu. The SAM Isotope Identifier has been updated with Eagle-A, a new firmware to quickly identify low levels of Cs-134, Cs-137 and I-131.

Click http://www.globaldirt.org/map/ to see the actual readings from our SAM 940 Isotope Identifier. This data was taken by a Global DIRT assessment team within 2km (1.2 miles) of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. Data was collected using a Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation SAM 940 Defender / Revealer. The map below represents only readings which contained isotope levels (about 451 of the 1654 current readings). Be sure to check back as this page will be constantly updated.

About Berkeley Nucleonics

BNC’s radiation detection products are popular for detection, dosimetry and isotope identification and in use by HazMat teams, firefighters, first responders, and border protection personnel. Analytical products offer real time medical, industrial, SNM and NORM nuclear isotope identification. From pager to portal, we understand detection and spectroscopy applications. BNC offers an accredited training program which provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques involved in radiation detection and isotope identification. This program also provides CEUs and can educate new and experienced users. Regional courses or on-site, our trainers can deliver. Give us a call or try our Live Online Help…800-234-7858

Trace Radiation Levels from Japan detected by U.S. EPA RadNet System—

Albuquerque, New Mexico. April 1, 2011. During the past three years, EDi has maintained the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) RadNet system, which consists of more than 100 radiation-monitoring stations throughout the United States. Lately, these monitoring stations track and record the released radiation from the Fukushima Daichii Nuclear Power Plant severely damaged during the earthquake and tsunami that recently devastated Japan on March 11, 2011.
The RadNet Program, initially established to monitor radiation associated with nuclear weapons testing, was later expanded to include radiation levels during emergencies. For more than 30 years, RadNet has developed an important environmental radiation database used by the EPA and other federal agencies.
The RadNet mission is to monitor environmental radioactivity in the United States providing high quality data for assessing public exposure and environmental impacts resulting from nuclear emergencies and to provide baseline data during routine conditions. RadNet has three (3) specific objectives:

1. Provide data for nuclear emergency response assessments;
2. Provide data on ambient levels of radiation in the environment for baseline and trend analysis; and
3. Inform the general public and public officials.
EDi performs a variety of calibration, repair, and technical support services for the monitoring devices—both on site and at our San Antonio, TX service facility. Services include maintenance of the central processing unit (CPU), all telemetry and weather-monitoring subsystems, and sensors.

About EDi

Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, EDi is a Small Business Administration (SBA) certified woman- and minority-owned small disadvantaged business entity with a strong reputation for providing quality technical environmental services. Recognized as an industry leader, EDi specializes in the detection, identification, characterization, and decontamination of hazardous and radioactive environments. Founded in 1990, EDi began by providing radiological and industrial hygiene support services to Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and has since expanded its capabilities and market areas. Today, EDi has offices in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.

For more information about EPA’s RadNet program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/

For more information about EDi and the Radcon Services we provide, visit: http://www.edi-nm.com

An Overview of X-Ray Spectroscopy

The purpose of this book is to discuss X-ray microanalysis and computer-aided imaging at a level that promotes an understanding beyond merely “how-to” texts, but without overwhelming the reader with volume or complexity. No attempt is made to replace a full textbook for either technique. Rather, this volume is meant to be an introduction for newcomers to the fields and a reference for experienced microscopists to be reviewed as needed. More in-depth texts and articles, which include derivations of the mathematical relationships, are given as references for those who desire such information. Several tables and diagrams of relevant information are provided for quick reference.

http://www.berkeleynucleonics.com/resources/MicroscopyBook.pdf