Model 1105 Frequency Counter from Berkeley Nucleonics

For applications in sensor development, the new Universal Counter from Berkeley Nucleonics offers a host of eye-popping features that further the research and test capability of sensor R&D laboratories. The new counter allows users to set up counting statistics and mean measurement modules which lead to broader evaluations of DUTs. The built-in Limit Testing allows users to generate reports based on count results within certain preset constraints.

Berkeley Nucleonics is a manufacturer of pulse and delay generators, arbitrary waveform generators and several counters. Our frequency and time interval counters range in performance and price from general purpose 400MHz systems under $2K to very specialized, 1 picosecond time interval counting. Give us a call or visit our engineers in our chat room, we’re happy to talk with you.

BNC Outfits Lab with 32 Channels of Precision Timing

Berkeley Nucleonics, a manufacturer of pulse and delay generators, arbitrary waveform generators and frequency counters, was selected by a European research establishment to provide a large timing system for laser timing and triggering in new experimental efforts on high energy, high power lasers and hot plasmas. The timing of the BNC Model 588, which combines 8 channels of delay and width in a rack mount module less than 2 inches high, allows researchers to combine 100’s of channels of timing in a small area. The timing properties and features of the BNC Digital Delay Generators (250 picosecond resolution, improved 200 picosecond low jitter, channel by channel rate and amplitude selection). Major goal of research in this field include thermonuclear fusion for energy production, materials processing, physics of high-energy-density matter and planetary science.

Berkeley Nucleonics has a long history of supporting research in Europe. It’s first products were shipped to Germany in the 1960’s. Soon after, customers from the UK, France and Spain also began ordering Berkeley Nucleonics pulse and delay generators. The company has local service and support in 9 European Union member states and can address a broad range of customer and off-the-shelf test, measurement or nuclear instrumentation requirements. Read more at the company website

BNC Radiation Detector Training prior to HPS in Salt Lake

Berkeley Nucleonics (BNC), a manufacturer of radiation detectors, isotope identifiers and test and measurement instrumentation, will provide an opportunity for end users to discuss new applications and product needs at the Annual Health Physics Society meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, from June 27 – July 1, 2010. The HPS community has long been an industry leader in organizations that address radiation detection and radiation safety in industrial, medical and environmental capacity. The company will conduct multiple demonstrations of new GPS based isotope identification and remediation tools. The radiation detectors with GPS capability can be used for a variety of applications ranging from perimeter set up to routine compliance confirmation.

Berkeley Nucleonics will also offer a series of radiation detection and isotope identification courses in Salt Lake City in June for participants seeking a deeper understanding of the principles of isotopic characterization and neutron coincidence analysis. Courses include time in instrumentation, theory and exercises. The accredited courses by Berkeley Nucleonics offer CEU units from the DoD and many State organizations. Contact BNC for details. We are happy to talk with you at 800-234-7858.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RADIATION CONTROL – APRIL 19-22, 2010

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RADIATION CONTROL – APRIL 19-22, 2010

Berkeley Nucleonics is excited to participate in the 42^nd Annual National Conference or Radiation Control in Newport, Rhode Island. We will demonstrate the latest in field isotope identification and GPS-assisted development of radiological mapping. Our newest instrument offers sub-meter GPS resolution and 3% spectral resolution. Count rates are quickly logged for accurate remediation planning. The conference offers an opportunity for users of Berkeley’s radiation detection instruments to discuss emerging needs in current and upcoming applications.

The CRCPD's mission is "to promote consistency in addressing and resolving radiation protection issues, to encourage high standards of quality in radiation protection programs, and to provide leadership in radiation safety and education."

Read more about the meeting:

http://www.crcpd.org/2010AnnualMeeting.aspx

Dosimetry for the First Responder

New position paper on dosimetry for the first responder, simplifies the requirements published by the NRC. Berkeley Nucleonics offers the Models 1621, 1703 and 907 palmRAD radiation pagers to help address these needs. First responders need Radiation Detectors such as PRDs and RIIDs for fast and accurate radiation level detection, identification of sources, and setting up response protocols. Our devices are ANSI compliant and provide N42.42 data for US DOE and DNDO reachback. Radiation Detection Pagers (Rad Pagers) are in stock for fast delivery.

Click here for the full white paper.

Berkeley Nucleonics offered training and application support on pulse and delay generators, some with resolution down to 1 picosecond and jitter under 20 picoseconds, to a team of international sales agents from Asia. The training courses, during the Photonics West 2010 conference in San Francisco, highlights the growing demand from the East for BNCs test instrument lines. Arbitrary Waveform Generators, Digital Delay Generators, High Voltage and Optical Pulse Generators were all well received

Primary Use of Random Pulse Generator

The primary use of a a random pulse generator such as the BNC Model DB-2 is to simulate actual operating conditions without requiring a live source and detector combination. Such parameters as frequency response, linearity, and discrimination levels may easily be measured without the inconvenience of dim oscilloscope display or long accumulation times. Proper operation of baseline restorer circuits may be quickly verified. Scalers and ratemeters may be checked for satisfactory pulse recognition under random pulse conditions.

The negligible amplitude shift with frequency of the pulser makes the standard frequency test using a live source and a low rate precision random pulse generator unnecessary.

Although most test applications will find the pulser connected to the test input of a charge sensitive preamplifier, it is possible to simulate the preamp itself with the random pulse generator. The pulser is connected directly to the main amplifier and the preamp decay time constant is matched by proper selection of the pulser fall time. Set up of a system containing an inaccessible preamp can then be accomplished with ease.

For accurate simulation of detector pulse shapes, the rise time control should be adjusted to match 2.2 times the detector decay time constant. For example, if a pulse shape analyzer working with CsI-NaI phoswich is to be tested, the random pulse generator rise time should be set to 0.5 µsec rise time for the NaI signal, and 2 µsec for the CsI signal. Intermediate signals are best obtained by mixing the outputs from two synchronized generators, 2 µsec rise time. By varying the amplitude ratio of the two generators, intermediate values of rise time are generated.

Solid state and plastic detectors have decay constants far shorter than the adjustment range of this generator. However, the shaping time constants used in virtually all systems are greater than the 100 nsec minimum rise time. The ballistic deficit formula predicts the reduction in amplitude, B. D., for a shaping system containing identical time constants for all shaping.

B.D. = (4)

where n = the number of integrations with time, constant =RC, and t_r is the rise time of the preamp output. The preamp output rise time may be calculated from:

(5)

where t_p is the pulser rise time and t_i is the rise time of the preamp in response to a unit step of zero rise time. The ballistic deficit for a preamplifier with a t_i of 10 nsec used with a shaping amplifier⁶ with 1 µsec time constants would be only 0.02% when used with this random pulse generator. Therefore, the ballistic deficit caused by this pulser may be ignored for most applications.

The external reference allows remote programming of the amplitude of the pulser, and the external trigger permits control of the output pulse rate. The latter provision is especially convenient if the average random rate needs to be controlled and an external random clock is unavailable. By placing the pulser in the random mode, a periodic waveform at the external trigger input will control the average random rate.