Hexagon Family

Operating Modes

Hexagon can be configured to operate in Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) acquisition mode, in Multichannel Scaling (MCS) acquisition mode, or in both PHA and MCS modes simultaneously. Multiple PHA spectra can be collected using Multispectral Scaling (MSS) mode with no data loss when switching to a new spectrum.

The Time-Stamped List mode permits time and energy events to be saved either to on-board memory or to the host PC for offline analysis and post-processing. Analog input signals and internal digital filter outputs can be inspected via the Signal Inspector mode. Additionally, Compton/Anti-Compton data acquisition is supported by taking advantage of the 2-input channel version.

Examples of Performance

• FWHM Resolution: 0.61 keV @ 122 keV, 1.63 keV @ 1332 keV (HPGe CP5 plus), measured with Cryo-Pulse 5 Plus Electrically Refrigerated Cryostat HPGe Canberra detector, equipped with iPa Preamp
• Dynamics: down to 4 keV with 3 MeV FSR (noise peak at same height of compton) measured with 7229P HPGe Canberra detector

HV and LV Power Supply

Hexagon can provide HV bias for up to two detectors. Three ranges of bias voltage and current, which are software configurable on a per-channel basis and hardware protected, allow the user to tailor the output V/I to specific detector types such as PMT (2 kV / 1 mA), HPGe (5 kV / 30 μA), and Silicon (500 V / 50 μA).

The 2-input channel version of Hexagon allows the user to select the polarity configuration upon ordering: Positive-Positive, Negative-Negative, or Mixed. The 1-input channel version of Hexagon is provided with an HVPS configuration which includes 1-channel Positive Polarity and 1 -channel Negative Polarity. HV inhibit is supported with both positive and negative polarity.

Hexagon also integrates low voltage outputs (±12 V / 100 mA and ±24 V / 50 mA) to power preamplifiers. Detector Temperature and Nitrogen Levels may be monitored via external sensor interface.

I/O Equipment and Additional Features

Hexagon is equipped with I/O connectors which support several features beyond the standard MCA functionality. A DB25 I/O connector supports PHA Start/Stop, SCA, MCS, Coincidence/AntiCoincidence, Acquisition Start/Stop, ICR, Run Status, Sample Changer, and Sample Ready signals.
The BNC connectors are reserved for Transistor Reset Preamp (TRP) inhibit, where the inhibit takes place on an external digital signal and can be extended in time via programming. Two SATA connectors allow for very precise multi-board synchronization, time stamp alignment, and system building via a simple daisy chain.
Front Panel LED indicators inform the user as to board and I/O status, polarity of the power supply, and multi-board sync status. An OLED display provides general board information, real-time statistics on ICR, OCR, Real/Live/Dead Time, as well as details on the HVPS channel output.

Connectivity

Hexagon can be controlled with a point-to-point direct connection through the USB 2.0 link and with a remote network connection by the Ethernet 10/100T port. The module also features a web interface that supports basic operations (sans spectroscopy software) by simply opening a web browser.

The web interface is a quick and useful tool for finding basic board information (e.g. model type, serial number, firmware version, CPU load averages, real memory occupancy), for retrieving files saved on the onboard memory, for setting operational functions for each run (e.g. order, cut, copy/paste files, create and delete directories, user rights, etc.), and for managing network settings and upgrading firmware.

Quantus Software

Quantus is CAEN high performance software to make Quantitative Spectrometry with Hexagon digital MCA. It is powerful and flexible enough to support an enormous range of sample types and detector geometries, and can analyze any recorded gamma-ray spectrum for radionuclide identification and quantification.

Thanks to its multi-document design, Quantus can manage simultaneous multi-spectrum analyzation as well as multi-detector data acquisition.

More info