FastSDD® X-Ray Detectors for XRF
The FastSDD® represents Amptek’s highest performance silicon drift detector (SDD), capable of count rates over 1,000,000 CPS (counts per second) while maintaining excellent resolution. The FastSDD® is also available with our Patented C-Series (Si3N4) low energy windows for soft x-ray analysis.
Product Details
Unlike our conventional SDDs which use a junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET) inside the hermetically sealed TO-8 package, along with an external preamplifier, the FastSDD® uses a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) preamplifier inside the TO-8 package, and replaces the JFET with a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). This significantly reduces capacitance, providing much lower series noise and yielding improved resolution at very short peaking times. The FastSDD® uses the same detector but with a preamplifier giving lower noise at short peaking times. Improved (lower) resolution enables isolation/separation of fluorescent X-rays with close energy values where peaks would otherwise overlap, permitting users better identification all of the elements in their sample(s). Short peaking times also yield significant improvements in count rates; more counts provide better statistics.
Features
- Different detector sizes are also available.
- 25 mm² active area collimated to 17 mm²
- 70 mm² active area collimated to 50 mm²
- Resolution of 122 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV
- Count rates > 1,000,000 CPS
- High peak-to-background ratio – 26,000/1
- Windows: Be (0.5 mil) 12.5 µm; B4C; C-Series
Detector thicknesses
- 500 µm
- 1000 um now available
Preamplifier Output Rise Time
- <35 ns for 500um thick detector
- <60 ns for 1000um thick detector
- TO-8 Package
- Cooling ΔT>85 K
- Internal Multilayer Collimator
The True State-Of-The-Art
- Lower noise → Better resolution down to 122 eV FWHM
- Lower leakage current → Higher temperature operation (save battery life)
- Better charge collection → Better photopeak shape (no tailing)
- Quality → Detectors have consistent performance allowing for easier calibrations
Applications
- Ultra-fast benchtop and handheld XRF analyzers
- On-line / At-line process control
- X-Ray Sorting Machines
- Space and Astronomy
- OEM
Stainless Steel 316 Quantitative Analysis with FAST SDD®
The below table displays the quantitative analysis of the data in figure 4. This spectrum was taken in 1 second with the FAST SDD®.
| Element | Certified Concentration | Fast SDD® Result in 1 second |
|---|---|---|
| V | 0.05 | 0.16 ± 0.28 |
| Cr | 18.45 | 18.32 ± 0.80 |
| Mn | 1.63 | 0.40 ± 0.55 |
| Fe | 64.51 | 65.89 ± 1.64 |
| Co | 0.10 | 0.00 ± 0.40 |
| Ni | 12.18 | 12.56 ± 0.47 |
| Cu | 0.17 | 0.19 ± 0.02 |
| Mo | 2.38 | 2.34 ± 0.08 |
Space Exploration Application
The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) is an International Space Station (ISS) payload devoted to the study of neutron stars through soft X-ray timing. The heart of the instrument is an aligned collection of 56 Amptek silicon drift detectors (SDD) with C Series Windows and X-ray “concentrator” optics (XRC) pairs. Each XRC collects X-rays over a large geometric area from a roughly 30 arcmin2 region of the sky and focuses them onto a small SDD.
The Amptek FastSDD® detects individual photons, recording their energies with good (few percent) spectral resolution and their detection times to an unprecedented 100 nanoseconds RMS relative to Universal Time. Together, this assemblage provides a high signal-to-noise-ratio photon-counting capability within the 0.2-12 keV X-ray band, perfectly matched to the typical spectra of neutron stars as well as a broad collection of other astrophysical sources.
For an overview of the NICER mission, please see this presentation.
Configurations
The XR-100 FAST SDD® with the PX5
The X-123FAST SDD configuration includes the detector, preamplifier, digital processor and power supplies all in one box
The FAST SDD with its preamplifier is available in several OEM configurations
The FAST SDD is compatible with all Amptek vacuum accessories
Downloads
Documentation
Manual
X123 Quick Start Guide
Prop 65 Warning
This product contains chemicals that are relevant to Proposition 65 legislation.
