A miniaturized ASIC-based multichannel scaler instrument

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

OSTI ID:7148950

Ericson, M N; Turner, G W; McMillan, D E; Hoffheins, B S; Todd, R A ^[1]; Hiller, J M ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (United States)

A miniaturized multichannel scaler instrument has been developed to address size and operational constraints for data acquisition in a portable laser-induced luminescence system. The multichannel scaling (MCS) function is implemented as a programmable application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with standard interfaces for control and data acquisition. The instrument is microcontroller-based with sufficient computing power for data manipulation and algorithmic processing. The unit includes electronics for laser control and amplification and pulse height discrimination of PMT pulses. Modification of the instrument should allow use in nuclear, chemical, and spectroscopy-related applications including Mossbauer experiments. Interfaces are incorporated allowing both computer-controlled and stand-alone operational. Implementation of the MCS function as an ASIC and comparison with conventional implementations are discussed. Full characterization of the MCS is presented including differential non-linearity (DNL), bin dead time, and bandwidth measurements. The instrument was specifically designed for determining environmental uranium concentration levels in ground water monitoring applications, with sufficient sensitivity to analyzed low-level process streams and effluent. The analysis method employed is based on phosphorescence decay techniques thoroughly covered in published literature.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7148950
• Report Number(s): CONF-931051--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Journal Volume: 41:4Pt1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540230* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MINIATURIZATION
MIXTURES
MONITORING
MONITORS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
PROCESS SOLUTIONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SOLUTIONS
URANIUM
WATER