730S Digitizer Family

Overview

The 730S family is a digitizer capable of recording waveforms along with performing advanced algorithms for online digital pulse processing (DPP) (Free Trial).  Utilizing DPP Firmware, users can acquire quantitative physical parameters (Integrated Charge, Pulse Shape Discrimination with very fine time resolution, Pulse Height Analysis) as well as read out waveforms with automatic pulse identification and baseline suppression on channel basis (Zero-Length Encoding and Dynamic Acquisition Window). The wide range of DPP algorithms supported by the 730S family make it a “must-have” for any type of nuclear physics application.

The 730S (previously 730) has also been upgraded, introducing a larger FPGA to accommodate more complex DPP algorithms and a new A/D converter for better stability which does not require temperature-related calibration.

Input signals are read by a Flash ADC, 14-bit resolution and 500 MS/s sampling rate, which is well suited for mid fast signals as the ones coming from liquid or inorganic scintillators coupled to PMTs or Silicon Photomultipliers, but also for high precision detectors as Silicon or HPGe coupled with charged sensitive preamplifier. The acquisition can be channel independent and it is possible to make coincidence/anti-coincidence logic among different channels and external veto/gating. Multiple boards can be synchronized to build up complex systems. In the case of DPP mode, data can be saved in time-stamped list mode to support higher input rates and improving the throughput performances. Piled-up events can be rejected or saved for offline analysis. The acquisition in DPP mode is fully controlled by the CoMPASS and MC2Analyzer software, which manage the algorithm parameters, build the plots and saves the relevant energy, time, and PSD spectra. In the case of waveform recording mode, the user can take advantage of the CAENScope and WaveDump software to access and save the waveforms. Libraries and demo software in C and LabView are available for integration and customization of specific acquisition systems.

730S family comes in three form factors: VME64/VME64X (16 or 8 input channels), NIM (8 input channels) and Desktop (8 input channels). The communication to and from the board is provided through the following interfaces: USB (Desktop and NIM form factors), VMEbus (VME form factor), and Optical Link (all form factors).