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				Super SDD: 25 mm2 x 500 µm Silicon Drift Detector (SDD)!

The X-123SDD is a complete X-Ray Detector System with a
Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) in one small box that fits in your hand.

Includes Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) 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 (2.5 Watts) Light Weight (180 g, 6.3 oz) USB, RS232, and Ethernet Communication Applications X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) RoHS/WEE Compliance Instrumentation Process Control Art and Archaeology Detector Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) for X-Ray detection 2-Stage thermoelectric cooler Area: 7 mm2 Thickness: 450 µm Typical Performance Resolution: 135 to 155 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV Optimum energy range: 1 keV to 40 keV Maximum count rate: Up to 5.6 x 105 cps

No Liquid Nitrogen Figure 1. X-123SDD Complete Spectrometer. Figure 2. Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) Element. Figure 3. 55Fe Spectrum with silicon drift detector (SDD).

X-123SDD represents the culmination of 15 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-123SDD exemplifies this philosophy by providing in a single package the XR100SDD Silicon Drift X-Ray Detector and its Charge Sensitive Preamplifier; the DP5 Digital Pulse Processor with pulse chaper, MCA, and interface; and the PC5 Power Supply. All that is needed is a +5 Volts DC input and a USB, RS232 or Ethernet connection to your computer.

NOTE: The X-123SDD uses the DP5 Digital Pulse Processor with the PC5 Power Board. If you used the X-123 with Si-PIN (which used a DP4 and PC4-3), you will have to make some minor changes to your custom software to support the DP5. Contact Amptek for additional information.

Please follow this link for information on the DP5.

X-123 Description

The X-123SDD combines in a single package Amptek’s high performance X-ray spectroscopy components: (1) the XR-100SDD silicon drift X-ray detector and preamplifier, (2) the DP5 digital pulse processor and MCA, and (3) the PC5 power supply. The result is a complete system which can fit in your hand with no performance compromise. It requires only +5 VDC power and a standard communication interface. With the X-123 anyone can rapidly obtain high quality X-ray spectra.

The X-123SDD uses a silicon drift detector (SDD) similar to a Si-PIN photodiode but with a unique electrode structure to improve energy resolution and increase count rates. The SDD 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 pulse processor is the DP5, a second generation digital pulse processor (DPP) which replaces both the shaping amplifier and MCA found in analog systems. The digital technology improves several key parameters: (1) better performance, specifically better resolution and higher count rates; (2) greater flexibility since more configuration options are available and selected by software, and (3) improved stability and reproducibility. The DPP digitizes the preamplifier output, applies real-time digital processing to the signal, detects the peak amplitude, and bins this in its histogram memory. The spectrum is then transmitted to the user’s computer. The PC5 supplies the power to the detector, including low voltages for the preamps, high voltage to bias the detector, and a supply for the thermoelectric cooler which provides closed loop control with a maximum temperature differential of 85 °C. All of these are under software control. The X-123SDD input power is an unregulated +5 VDC with a current of about 300 mA.

The complete system is packaged in 7 x 10 x 2.5 cm³ aluminum box. The detector is mounted on an extender, with lengths from 0 to 9” (vacuum flanges are available). In its standard configuration only two connections are required: power (+5 VDC) and communications (USB, RS232, or Ethernet). An auxiliary connector provides several additional inputs and outputs used if the X-123SDD will be integrated with other equipment. This includes an MCA gate, timing outputs, and eight SCA outputs. The X-123SDD is supplied with data acquisition and control software. It also includes an Application Programming Interface (API) DLL to integrate the unit with custom software. Optional accessories include software for analyzing X-ray spectra, vacuum accessories, several collimation and mounting options, and X-ray tubes to complete a compact system for X-ray fluorescence.

Figure 4. X-123SDD Architecture and Connection Diagram.

X-123SDD Specifications

Options

• Other Beryllium window thicknesses are available on special order (0.3 mil - 7.5 µm).
• Collimator Kit for high flux applications.
• Vacuum Accessories
• OEM Applications

Figure 5. X-123SDD detector extender options.

Figure 6. X-123SDD with the PA-230SDD preamplifier and housing. This option is the same as the X-123SDD except the detector/preamplifier have been removed from the electronics box and connected with a flexible cable. Provided in order to operate the detector remotely from its electronics box. See the OEM page for more information.

Mechanicals

Mechanical Dimensions

Figure 10. Dimensions: inches [millimeters].

Mounting Hardware

Figure 11. The X-123SDD is supplied with two types of mounting hardware: right-angle and flat.

Complete XRF System

Application Note AN-SDD-001: Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) at High Count Rates (pdf 500k).

Application Note AN-SDD-002: Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) Low Energy Performance (pdf 100k).

Application Note AN-AMP-005: Comparison of Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) and Si-PIN Detector (pdf 70k).

Revised December 8, 2009