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

Ideal system for use in RoHS/WEEE compliance XRF machines.

Includes X-Ray Detector and Preamplifier Digital Pulse Processor and MCA Power Supply and Interface with PC Features Compact integrated system Simple to Operate Small Size (2.7 x 3.9 x 1 in, 7 x 10 x 2.5 cm) Low Power (1.2 Watts) Light Weight (6.3 oz, 180 g) USB and RS232 Communication Accommodates all Types of Amptek Detectors Applications X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) RoHS/WEE Compliance Instrumentation Process Control Art and Archaeology X-123 Presentation Detector Si-PIN for X-Ray detection 2-Stage thermoelectric cooler Area: 5 to 25 mm2 Thickness: 300 to 680 µm Typical Performance Resolution: 145 to 260 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV Optimum energy range: 1 keV to 40 keV Maximum count rate: Up to 2 x 105 cps Detailed performance depends on detector and configuration, which can be optimized for special applications.

No Liquid Nitrogen Accomodates all Amptek detectors Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. 55Fe Spectrum taken with a 6 mm2/500 µm detector.

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-123 exemplifies this philosophy by providing in a single package the XR100CR X-Ray Detector and its Charge Sensitive Preamplifier; the DP4 Digital Pulse Processor with pulse chaper, MCA, and interface; and the PC4-3 Power Supply. All that is needed is a +5 Volts DC input and a USB or RS232 connection to your computer.

X-123 Description

Amptek’s specialty is X-ray spectrometers, which are small, low power, high performance, and simple to operate. The X123 combines in a single package Amptek’s standard, high performance X-ray spectroscopy components: the XR100CR detector and preamplifier, DP4 digital pulse processor and MCA, and PC4-3 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 or USB bus. With the X-123, anyone can rapidly obtain high quality X-ray spectra.

The typical detector is a Si-PIN photodiode: X-rays interacting in the silicon create an average of one electron/hole pair for every 3.62 eV of energy lost in the silicon, which is the input signal.

The detector is mounted on a thermoelectric cooler along with the input FET and coupled to a custom charge sensitive preamplifier. The thermoelectric cooler reduces the electronic noise in the detector and preamplifier, but the cooling is transparent to the user: it operates like a room temperature system. The charge-sensitive preamplifier uses a novel feedback technique, injecting reset pulses through the high voltage connection to the detector.

The pulse processor is the DP4, 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 count rates; (2) greater flexibility since more configuration options are available and they are selected by software over a RS-232 interface, and (3) improved stability and reproducibility. The DP4 digitizes the preamplifier output, applies real-time digital processing 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 the DP4’s interface to the user’s computer. The Amptek DP4 has 6 main 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.

The power supply is Amptek’s PC4-3, a single board. The input is approximately +5 VDC with a current of about 250 mA. The PC4-3 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, up to 400 V, and supply for the thermoelectric cooler which provides closed loop control with a maximum temperature differential of 85 °C. Both of these supplies are adjusted at the factory for a particular detector.

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 DP4 board supports several additional inputs and outputs, if the X123 will be integrated with other equipment. This includes an MCA gate, a memory buffer select signal, timing outputs, and SCA ouputs. Please contact Amptek Inc. or see the DP4 specifications for further information.

Figure 4. X-123 Architecture and Connection Diagram

X-123 Specifications

Figure 5. X-123 detector extender options.

X-123 Application: RoHS/WEEE Compliance

The RoHS / WEEE [Restriction of Hazardous Substances / Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment] directive requires that the electronics industry certify that products comply with maximum concentration amounts of particular elements and compounds (Cr VI, Pb, Cd, Hg, Br PBB/PBDE) by July, 2006. The X-123 can be used to verify compliance with the RoHS/WEE requirements as part of a quality assurance program, via XRF. It permits users to measure the concentration of the specified elements, quickly, accurately, and non-destructively. Companies can verify supplier compliance and demonstrate their own compliance. The X-123 provides OEMs and end users with a powerful X-Ray Spectrometer system in one convenient, small, easy to use instrument that can be quickly implimented to minimize time to market. No additional engineering is required on teh spectrometer end since all the connections have been made internally. All that is needed is a +5 VDC input power and a USB or RS232 connection to a computer.

The X-123 does not sacrifice performance for size. The resolution for the 5.9 keV peak of ⁵⁵Fe is 145 eV FWHM to 260 eV FWHM depending on the detector type and peaking time. Since the X-123 is a complete packaged spectrometer, it is the perfect choice for fast-track product development and will provide the OEM with the quickest time to market.

Figure 5. RoHS/WEEE Example Spectrum.

X-123 Typical Si-PIN Results

Figure 6. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) of multi-element sample from¹⁰⁹Cd.

Figure 7. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) of lead (Pb) from ¹⁰⁹Cd.

Figure 8. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) of a few locations on a PC board from ¹⁰⁹Cd.

Figure 9. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) of a various elements from ¹⁰⁹Cd.

Mechanicals

Mechanical Dimensions

Figure 10.

Mounting Hardware

Figure 11.

Complete XRF System

Figure 12. Complete XRF system.

Complete XRF System Includes

• X-123 X-Ray Spectrometer
• Eclipse III X-Ray Tube and Control Box
• XRF-FP Quantitative Analysis Software

Design and performance of the X-123 compact X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy system.
Presented at the 2006 Room Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium.

X-123 Specifications in pdf
Digital Pulse Processor FAQ
Glossary

Revised July 10, 2007