®

AMP TEK
PX4
Features
• Single unit compatible with all Amptek XR100
Si and CdTe detectors, includes:
™ Shaping amplifier using the DP4 digital
pulse processing technology
™ Integrated multichannel analyzer
™ Power supplies

• Can be used with detectors from other FRONT

manufacturers
• Trapezoidal shaping with wide range of shaping
time settings to optimize performance
• High count rate capability with excellent
baseline stability, throughput, and pile-up
rejection
• Up to 8 k output MCA channels
• USB interface to personal computer, with BACK
software to support instrument control, data
acquisition, and analysis Photograph of the front and back of the PX4,
• Oscilloscope mode available - DAC output for
pulse monitoring and adjustment Physical
Power • Low Power: 2 W typical
• High voltage bias adjustable 100V to 1.5 kV • Small Size: 6.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Thermoelectric cooler with feedback 165 x 135 x 40 mm
• Operates from AC supply • Light Weight: 1.6 lbs/750 g

Overview
The Amptek PX4 is an interface between Amptek’s XR100 series of X-ray and γ-ray detectors and a
personal computer with data acqusition, control, and analysis software. The PX4 includes three major
components: (1) a shaping amplifier, based on a state of the art, high performance, low power DP4 digital
pulse processor, (2) a multichannel analyzer, and (3) power supplies. It replaces both the previous
generation PX2 shaping amplifier and power supply and the separate MCA.
The pulse processing and MCA function of the PX4 are based on Amptek’s DP4 digital pulse processor.
The PX4 offers several performance advantages over traditional analog systems, including higher energy
resolution, reduced ballistic deficit, higher throughput, better pile-up rejection, enhanced stability, and the
ability to adjust shaping time parameters over a wide range to optimize performance. The PX4 includes a
USB interface. The power supply portion of the PX4 provides all of the power necessary for the detector,
preamplifier, and the PX4.
The PX4 offers several advantages over the previous generation PX2: (1) a single unit interfaces with
all XR100 variants; (2) many parameters may be adjusted to optimize performance, such as shaping time
constant and HV bias; (3) the pulse processor offers enhanced baseline stability, throughput, pile-up
rejection, and Rise Time Discrimination (RTD); and (4) the MCA is integrated with the complete system.
 AXR XR-100 PX4 Pulse Processor,
Detector Preamp MCA, and Power Supply
Hybrid
LEMO 9 PIN D
2 CONN. CONN.
TEMPERATURE
SENSOR AC PWR IN
4 1 1 TEMP Cooler Supply
THERMAL IEC 320
SW. 110/250V
THERMO- 3 6 6 COOLER+
ELECTRIC 50-60 Hz
Low Voltage
COOLER 1 5 5 COOLER- Suppy
High Voltage
12 FILTER 2 2 BIAS
X-RAYS Supply
DETECTOR 4 4 + VDC
Be
FET 7 3 3 - VDC Microcontroller USB
6
Pulse Selection
CASE 11 GND & CASE Logic
(PUR and RTD)
8
FEEDBACK FEEDBACK
9
OUT Digital Pulse MCA
10 ADC
Shaper Logic
Cf = 40 f F
Analog
5 TEST Prefilter
Ctest = 40 f DAC
50 ohm DAC (optional)
F OUT

Figure 1. Block diagram of the PX4 in a complete system.

The signal input to the PX4 is the preamplifier output. The PX4 digitizes the preamplifier output, applies
real-time digital processing to the signal, detects the peak amplitude (digitally), and bins this value in its
histogramming memory, generating an energy spectrum. The use of digital signal processing offers several
important performance advantages compared to previous systems. The spectrum is then transmitted over
the PX4’s USB interface to the user’s computer. The PX4 hardware is controlled over the USB interface,
permitting the user not only to start and stop acquisition but to select shaping times, select the HV bias, etc.

Specifications
Gain Settings: 28 user selectable gain settings Number of channels: Commandable to 256, 512,
from x4 to x550. Fine gain is adjustable between 1 k, 2 k, 4 k or 8 k channels.
0.75 and 1.25.
Connections
Pulse Shape: Trapezoidal. A semi-gaussian
Analog Input (BNC): The analog input accepts
amplifier with shaping time τ has a peaking time of
pulses from the XR100 or any other detector with
2.2τ and is comparable in performance with the preamplifier reset or resistive feedback.
trapezoidal shape of the same peaking time.
XR100 Power (6 pin LEMO): Provides power to
Peaking and Flat Top Times: Twenty-four preamp and detector. Includes HV bias,
programmable peaking times between 0.8 and thermoelectric cooler power, and preamp power.
102 µsec. For each peak time, sixteen flat top
durations are available, > 0.2 µsec Serial Interface (USB): Standard USB interface
and RS-232 interface to personal computer. Used
Rise Time Discriminator (RTD): The digital for data acquisition and hardware control.
pulse processor can be programmed to select
DAC Output (BNC): This output is used in
input pulses based on their rise time properties.
oscilloscope mode, to view the shaped pulse and
Throughput: The pulse processing electronics other diagnostic signals. Range: 0 to 1 V.
have a cycle time of 1 µsec. With a peaking time
Input Power: 5 VDC (500 mA max) via power
of 0.8 µsec, a 1MHz periodic signal can be jack. It mates with a center positive 5.5 mm x 2.1
acquired. Dead time is 1.25 x peaking time. mm Power Plug.
Pile-Up Reject: Pulses separated by more than
the fast channel resolving time, 600 nsec, and
less than 1.25 x peaking time are rejected.

For further technical specifications see our web site: www.amptek.com

AMPTEK Inc. 14 DeAngelo Dr Bedford MA 01730

Tel: +1 (781) 275-2242 Fax: +1 (781) 275-3470 email: sales@amptek.com www: http://www.amptek.com