Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Both channels are fully independent and can output pulses at the same time, each with its own timing, amplitude, and width settings. This lets you drive two devices from a single trigger while holding tight channel to channel timing.

Yes. The Model 765 is specified into a 50 Ohm load and delivers up to 5 Vpp amplitude through its DC-coupled SMA outputs. It holds its 70 ps rise and fall time and low overshoot at that level, so the edge stays clean even at full amplitude. Output amplitude is adjustable down to the millivolt range when you need a smaller signal.

Yes. Each Model 765 output is adjustable from 0 V to ±5 V, so you can set positive or negative pulses as your application requires. The pulse top and baseline are independently programmable, which gives you full control over polarity and offset. Outputs are specified into a 50 Ohm load.

Yes. Each output channel operates fully independently in multiple pulse mode, so you can set different delay, width, and amplitude on every channel. The Model 765 combines up to four digitally programmed pulses on each output, which lets you build complex timing sequences with repetition rates to 800 MHz. The graphical interface shows the pulses on each channel so the layout stays easy to read.

Pulse generators create precisely timed, short-duration electrical pulses to trigger circuits. Current generators deliver regulated, controllable current independent of load impedance. Delay generators produce precisely timed trigger signals with programmable delays to synchronize multiple instruments. Signal generators create continuous waveforms for testing amplifiers and filters.

Yes. The Model 577 is customizable through the ordering chart, which lets you choose how many channels carry options such as high power outputs, optical isolation, or impedance matching. Channels are paired, so options are assigned two at a time rather than to a single channel.

A digital delay generator (DDG) produces precise, programmable time delays between a trigger input and its output pulses, with resolution down to the picosecond level. A standard pulse generator instead creates pulses defined mainly by width and repetition rate. The practical difference is focus: a DDG is built to synchronize events in time, while a pulse generator is built to shape the pulse itself.

Channel count depends on how many independent timing signals your experiment requires. Single-channel models suit simple triggers, while multi-channel models, up to 24 in the Model 588B, synchronize many instruments at once. A good rule is to count the distinct events you need to time, then add headroom for future channels.

You can drive a laser diode with a voltage pulser, but there are tradeoffs to weigh, and a current driver is often the better choice. The biggest pitfall is interconnection. Standard hookup wire and adapters round off fast edges and degrade the pulse, sometimes until a fast pulse collapses into noise. Proper nanosecond performance needs matched stripline connections, so casual wiring is fundamentally incompatible with fast laser diode driving.

BNC DDGs, including the Models 555, 575, and 577, act as the master timing hub. They receive a single trigger and generate multiple independently delayed output pulses with picosecond-level timing resolution. That lets you set the precise delay between pump and probe events from one instrument, so every pulse in the experiment stays locked to a common reference.

BNC DDGs deliver fine timing resolution with low RMS jitter for standard configurations, which is what high-energy physics timing chains depend on. The Model 765 provides a 70 ps rise time with 800 MHz bandwidth, so it pairs precise delay with fast edges. For exact resolution and jitter figures in your configuration, confirm against the model datasheet, since values vary by model and option (verify).

The Model 745T-20C offers 20 channels per enclosure and can be daisy-chained with additional units from a single trigger, so the channel count scales as your system grows. When a standard configuration does not fit, contact the factory for custom card-level solutions.

The channel indicator illumination shows that a channel is enabled and pulsing. The front panel indicators give convenient at-a-glance visibility when your control GUI sits in a different location, so you can confirm activity without checking the software.

Yes. The Model 525 can be powered by a standard USB phone charger and run on its own once configured. A PC is only needed to set or change the pulse characteristics, so a unit programmed in advance will run standalone in the field or in an embedded setup.

Yes. The rise and fall time for the Model 765 are both specified at 70 ps (20% to 80%). Amplitude is adjustable to ±5V, and 2-channel and 4-channel versions are available. Matched edges keep the pulse symmetric, which matters when both transitions trigger downstream events.

Yes. The Model 765 lets you set the pulse top and pulse baseline anywhere from -2.5V to +2.5V, so you can produce positive, negative, or offset pulses as needed. Because the top and baseline are independent, you can place the full swing wherever your circuit requires it.

Use these terminal settings: baud rate 9600, data bits 8, parity none, stop bits 1, flow control none, and emulation VT100. Connect to the PB-5 over its RS-232 port, then put the unit in remote mode from the main menu. Once connected, type help to list the available commands.

Adjustments as small as 155 µV can be made from the keypad or the spinner knob. Each click of the spinner makes this minimum adjustment, so you can step amplitude up or down in fine increments. For larger moves, enter the target value directly on the keypad.

No. The clamp preserves pulse amplitude when the tail time is long compared to the desired repetition rate, clamping the signal to baseline before the exponential decay completes. Delay time should be set to 3 or 4 µs. This keeps successive pulses at full amplitude rather than riding on the residual tail of the previous one.

Symmetry would require a fast discharge of the capacitors that produce the exponential tails. The PB-5 instead prioritizes preserving the exponential decay with a clean baseline return. That tradeoff gives the slower fall time you see at the minimum settings, which suits the nuclear pulse shapes the instrument is designed to emulate.

Best results come from running multiple sweeps at the shortest ramp time of 90 seconds. Set the number of sweeps to 999 for a total run time of just over 24 hours. The long, repeated sweep averages out short-term variation and gives a clean linearity profile across the analyzer's channels.

Yes. The PB-5 has an RS-232 port for remote control. Put the unit in remote mode from the main menu, then type help to list all available commands. From there you can set amplitude, timing, and pulse shape from the PC instead of the front panel.

A function generator produces standard periodic waveforms such as sine, square, triangle, and ramp at fixed shapes. An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) lets you define any custom waveform by uploading point-by-point data, so the output is not limited to the built-in shapes. Many BNC instruments, including the Model 645, combine both roles in one unit, giving you the standard functions plus a deep arbitrary memory for replaying measured or simulated signals.

As a starting point, the sample rate should be at least 2 to 5 times the highest frequency in your signal, with more headroom giving cleaner edges and lower distortion. Memory depth sets how long a unique waveform can play before it has to repeat, so longer or more detailed patterns need deeper memory. For reference, the Model 645 runs at 125 MSa/s with 14-bit resolution and stores up to four arbitrary waveforms of 256K points each in nonvolatile memory. Match these two numbers to your fastest signal and your longest non-repeating sequence.

Select BNC AWG models support differential output configurations. These matter when you need to drive differential input devices and reduce common-mode noise. Check the specific model's datasheet to confirm differential support before ordering, since channel count and output type vary across the line.

Digital data applied to the rear panel External Trig/Gate/FSK/BPSK connector serves as the modulation source. The logic level on that input switches the carrier between the two states, giving frequency-shift keying or binary phase-shift keying depending on the selected mode. Set the carrier and the two keyed states from the front panel or remotely, then drive the connector with your data stream.

User data is downloaded from a host computer and stored in arbitrary waveform memory. Any zero-intersymbol-interference or spectral shaping filtering is done mathematically on the PC before download, so the instrument simply replays the prepared samples. This keeps the heavy signal processing in software and lets the 645 output the finished bit stream at its sample rate.

This rear panel connector inserts an external modulation signal onto a carrier. Used with modes such as AM, FM, or SSB, it can produce communication-style signals at the SIG OUT connector. Feed your modulating waveform into the input and the 645 applies it to the selected carrier in real time.

Microwave signal generators produce precise RF or microwave output, from kHz to tens of GHz, as a reference or stimulus in test setups. They characterize amplifiers, test receivers, simulate radar signals, and verify satellite link budgets.

The most important specs are frequency range, phase noise, output power range, and switching speed. Phase noise is especially critical for radar, communications, and quantum computing applications.

Phase noise is the noise produced by fast, short-term fluctuations in a signal. It diminishes signal quality and increases error rates in communication links. There is no such thing as zero phase noise; the less you have, the better.

Phase noise is the random, short-term fluctuation in the phase of a waveform caused by time-domain instabilities (jitter). Phase noise looks at the jitter within a single repetition.

Yes. All BNC signal generators support GPIB, USB, LAN (Ethernet), and often RS-232 interfaces. They are compatible with SCPI command sets in LabVIEW, Python, and MATLAB.

LN+ offers better long-term performance, with improved Allan variance over longer time spans. For short-time performance the two are identical. Both add a 100 MHz OCXO, but LN+ has better long-term stability.

The standard Model 865 already has extremely low 1 GHz phase noise (-87 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz offset). A Low Noise option is available for the most demanding applications (-100 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz offset).

The multi-channel Model 855 fits up to 4 channels in each 1U 19-inch rack-mount enclosure, and enclosures can be stacked as needed to build larger channel counts. Each channel is independent, and the module is controlled over USB, LAN, or GPIB using the SCPI command set, so a dense rack of channels still drives from a single automated test setup.

The Model 845 favors space-saving packaging. It eliminates most front panel controls in favor of a software GUI that can be developed and enhanced over time.

The Model 855B is BNC's flagship multi-channel RF and microwave signal generator. It offers up to 4 phase-coherent channels in a 1U rack enclosure, covers 300 kHz to 42 GHz, and delivers industry-leading phase noise.

Moore's Law and quantum computing follow fundamentally different scaling paths. Moore's Law tracks transistor density, while quantum computing scales by qubit count and error rate, so the two trajectories cannot be compared directly.

Noise parameters (Fmin and the optimal source impedance Zopt) define the lowest achievable noise. They guide the design of matching networks that improve performance.

Engineers take transistor samples and measure noise parameters across power-consumption settings and temperatures. That complete picture is what lets them select the right matching components for a receiver.

The PVX-4141 and PVX-4141B are functionally identical high-voltage pulsers built around the same switching topology and output stage. The B suffix marks a chassis or packaging revision, such as an updated rear-panel connector layout, not a change to the electrical design, rise time, or output rating. A unit ordered today ships as the current revision under whichever part number is active, and either revision drives the same load the same way.

For example, a facility that bought a PVX-4141 several years ago and orders a second unit today to run alongside it can expect matched timing and output behavior between the two chassis, even though the newer unit may arrive labeled PVX-4141B.

It depends on the model and its output topology. Some Heinzinger EVO and PNC series supplies support series connection to add their voltages together, or parallel connection to add their current capability, but not every model is designed for stacking, and doing so on a supply that is not rated for it can damage the output stage or create an unsafe floating condition. Series and parallel operation both require matched units, correct grounding, and isolation appropriate to the combined voltage or current.

For example, two identical 5 kV supplies wired in series to reach 10 kV need their outputs floated and referenced correctly relative to each other, not simply daisy-chained. Confirm the specific configuration and its stacking support with Berkeley Nucleonics before wiring supplies together (verify stacking support against the exact model before ordering).

Yes. Berkeley Nucleonics offers service agreements for many pulsed power products, including the PVX high-voltage pulser series, the PCX and PCM laser diode driver families, and Heinzinger PNC and EVO power supplies, with coverage that can include calibration, preventive maintenance, and repair. Terms are typically offered in multi-year lengths, and the right plan depends on the instrument, how it is used, and its replacement value.

For example, a lab running a PVX-4110 continuously in a production test cell benefits from an annual calibration visit paired with priority repair turnaround, while a unit used occasionally in R&D may only need periodic calibration. Contact BNC with the model number and serial number to see what options apply to a specific unit.

The PCX-7500-EX pulsed laser diode driver has a maximum compliance voltage of 110V, which suits driving laser diode arrays and individual high-compliance-voltage diodes that need more headroom than a single junction's forward voltage. Compliance voltage is the ceiling the driver can supply to overcome a diode string's forward drop while still delivering the programmed current, so a higher compliance rating lets one driver push current through more diodes in series, or through diodes with a higher forward voltage.

For example, a stack of several laser diodes in series with a combined forward voltage near 90V still leaves headroom on the PCX-7500-EX's 110V compliance rating, while the same stack could exceed the compliance voltage of a lower-rated driver elsewhere in the PCX family.

The Model PCM-7140-200 pulsed current driver is designed to handle laser diodes requiring up to 15 amps at 50 volts. It belongs to the PCM series of current-mode drivers, which regulate the current delivered to the diode rather than the voltage across it, so output current stays stable even as the diode's forward voltage shifts with temperature or aging.

For example, a diode array that draws 12 amps at a forward voltage that drifts between 35 and 45 volts over its operating temperature range still receives a steady 12 amps from the PCM-7140-200, because the driver holds current constant rather than voltage. For other current and compliance-voltage combinations, BNC offers additional models across the PCM and PCX families, so check the datasheet to match a driver to the diode's rated current and forward voltage.

The PVX Series has no native LabVIEW drivers, since the PVX pulsers themselves are triggered high-voltage switches rather than programmable instruments. The PVX can still be controlled indirectly through LabVIEW by automating the external power supply that sets its output amplitude and the pulse or delay generator, such as a Model 577, that supplies its trigger timing. Because the PVX takes its high-voltage input and trigger timing from those external instruments, programming them in LabVIEW gives you full control over the pulse amplitude, width, and repetition rate.

For example, a LabVIEW test sequence can step a programmable high-voltage supply through a series of amplitudes while triggering a Model 577 at a fixed rate, producing a controlled sweep of pulse heights out of the PVX without the PVX itself needing any driver.

Yes. The PCX-7500 remains available as a specialized high-current laser diode driver produced in limited builds rather than continuous production runs. Because it ships in batches rather than out of standing inventory, lead times can extend beyond BNC's typical laser diode driver turnaround, and they shift with component availability.

Request a current quote and delivery estimate before committing to a project schedule, and mention the PCX-7500 by model number when you do, since BNC also offers the PCX-7500-EX and other PCX-family drivers that may fit sooner if timing is critical.

The PVX-4140 and PVX-4141 are functionally equivalent high-voltage pulsers, sharing the same electrical specifications, output rating, and switching performance. The difference between them is mechanical: the PVX-4141 uses an updated chassis design, while the PVX-4140 is the earlier enclosure. Either model delivers the same pulse into the same load, so choosing between them, where both are available, generally comes down to which chassis revision is currently shipping rather than a performance tradeoff.

For example, replacing an aging PVX-4140 in an existing test rack with a newly ordered PVX-4141 requires no changes to trigger timing, cabling, or expected output amplitude.

The PVX-4000 series carries CE certification. Most other PVX models, including the PVX-4110, PVX-4130, PVX-4140/4141, and PVX-4150/4151, do not currently carry CE, UL, or other regulatory markings as standard. Markings can vary by configuration and by build date, so a specific serial number may not match the general answer for its model line.

If a project requires a specific certification, for example a CE mark to support a European installation, confirm the certification status for the exact model and configuration before ordering rather than assuming it based on the product family (verify current certification status against the specific unit before quoting a project that requires it).

Almost all PVX Series pulsers require an external high-voltage power supply, which sets the amplitude of the output pulse. The PVX itself switches that externally supplied voltage onto the load at the timing set by its trigger input, rather than generating high voltage internally. The one exception is the PVX-4000-2kV-Int, which has an integrated internal high-voltage source and does not need a separate supply, trading the flexibility of an external supply for a simpler, self-contained setup limited to its internal 2 kV rating.

For example, a PVX-4110 driving a 6 kV pulse needs a 6 kV-capable external supply feeding its high-voltage input, while a PVX-4000-2kV-Int can be triggered directly from a signal generator with no separate high-voltage source at all, as long as 2 kV is sufficient for the application.

Yes. Most BNC pulsed laser diode drivers, including the PCX-7401, PCX-7421, and the PCM series, offer adjustable pulse width, with continuously variable options that typically range from nanoseconds to microseconds depending on the model. The exact range and minimum pulse width vary by driver and by the diode load being driven, so check the datasheet for the specific unit before assuming a given model reaches into the sub-100 ns range.

For example, a driver specified for a 50 ns minimum pulse width cannot be programmed for a clean 20 ns pulse regardless of the trigger source, so the pulse width range of the driver itself, not just the trigger generator's resolution, sets the practical floor for pulse width.

The standard EVO 1500-1400 has a ground-referenced output, with one output terminal tied to earth ground. The FLO (floating output) version has an isolated output where neither terminal is referenced to ground, so the entire output can be biased to a different potential relative to the chassis. A floating output is useful when the load itself needs to sit at a potential other than ground, or when the load cannot share a common ground with the supply without creating a ground loop.

For example, a detector bias application where the detector's return line is already tied to a separate ground reference elsewhere in the system calls for the FLO version, since forcing a second ground reference through a standard EVO 1500-1400 output would create a ground loop and introduce noise.

The PVX-4110 ships with three high-voltage cables (part number 6050-0061) and one 6-foot AC power cord (part number 1950-0002). The high-voltage cables connect the pulser to its external high-voltage supply and to the load, so the unit is ready to wire into a test setup on arrival without sourcing separate cabling.

For example, a typical bench setup uses one of the three cables to feed high voltage in from the external supply and the remaining cables to route the pulsed output to the load and, where used, to a monitor point, all with the connectors the PVX-4110 ships with rather than a custom harness.

The PVX-4130 ships with a checkout sheet documenting functional verification testing performed before the unit leaves BNC, confirming the pulser meets its output specifications. A formal calibration certificate, typically including traceable measurements against NIST-traceable standards, can be requested at the time of new-unit purchase at no additional charge.

Ask for the calibration certificate on the purchase order rather than after the unit ships, for example by adding a line item requesting it at the quote stage, so it is prepared alongside the unit and ships with the instrument instead of requiring a separate follow-up request.

No. A single EVO Series power supply can only deliver one output voltage at a time from its single output stage. To run two loads at different voltages simultaneously, you need a separate EVO supply for each voltage, or a switching arrangement, such as a relay or solid-state switch rated for the voltage, that changes the single output between settings at different times rather than delivering both at once.

For example, a test that needs 3 kV on one detector and 5 kV on another at the same time requires two EVO supplies, one set to each voltage, rather than one supply time-shared between them.

No. The PVM-4210 does not include a 24 VDC power supply. The module draws its support power from an external 24 VDC to 28 VDC source, which must be purchased separately and sized for the module's current draw, since an undersized supply can cause the module to reset or misbehave under load.

For example, a rack that already runs a 24 VDC bus for other instrumentation can often power the PVM-4210 from that existing bus, provided the bus has enough spare current capacity, rather than adding a dedicated supply just for the module.

A laser diode driver is an electronic instrument that precisely controls the current delivered to a laser diode, enabling stable, repeatable, and safe optical output. Because laser diodes are sensitive to overcurrent and transients, and a single overcurrent event lasting only microseconds can permanently damage the junction, the driver also actively protects the diode from spikes and overshoot that could damage or destroy it.

For example, driving a laser diode directly from a bench power supply without a driver risks an uncontrolled current surge at turn-on, which a purpose-built driver such as the PCX-7401 or PCM-7140-200 is designed to prevent through soft-start and current limiting.

Each EVO Series power supply ships with a high-voltage output cable that has a male connector on one end and an unterminated end for custom connection. The unterminated end lets you fit the connector or termination that matches your load, rather than being locked into a connector style BNC chose.

For example, a customer terminating the cable into a custom high-voltage feedthrough on a vacuum chamber can strip and terminate the unterminated end directly, instead of adapting a factory connector that would not otherwise fit the chamber's feedthrough.

Building a custom laser diode driver demands significant expertise in current-mode regulation, transient protection, and high-speed switching, and a single design error, such as an unprotected turn-on transient, can destroy expensive laser diodes in a fraction of a second. The PCX-7401 and PCX-7421 are professionally engineered, tested, and calibrated, with current regulation and protection already proven in hardware across many production units rather than validated once on a single prototype.

For example, the engineering time saved on protection-circuit design and validation alone, work a custom driver would need to repeat and re-validate for every revision, typically exceeds the cost difference between building in-house and buying a PCX-7401 or PCX-7421, before accounting for the risk of damaging diodes during bring-up.

Yes. Every new PVX high-voltage pulser ships with a standard accessory kit at no additional cost, containing the cables and connectors needed for initial setup, such as high-voltage output cables and an AC power cord. The exact contents depend on the model, since a PVX-4110 and a PVX-4151 do not use identical connector types, so check the datasheet or packing list for the specific unit before assuming a cable count or connector style.

For example, the PVX-4110's kit includes three high-voltage cables (part number 6050-0061) and a 6-foot AC power cord (part number 1950-0002), while another PVX model's kit may include a different cable count or connector style suited to its own high-voltage interface.

Pulsed power delivers high-energy electrical pulses over very short durations, from nanoseconds to microseconds, rather than a continuous flow of current. Storing energy first and then releasing it in a brief burst produces instantaneous peak power levels far above what a continuous supply of the same average power rating could reach, while keeping the average power delivered to the system, and the heat it has to dissipate, comparatively low.

For example, a pulsed source that delivers 10 kV at 100 A for a 100 ns pulse reaches a peak power of 1 MW during that pulse (10,000 V × 100 A = 1,000,000 W), while its average power over one second at a modest repetition rate stays a small fraction of that figure. That is why pulsed systems can drive loads, such as Pockels cells and spark gaps, that a steady-state supply of comparable size and cooling could not.

BNC pulsed power systems drive resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads, including laser diodes, Pockels cells, plasma chambers, solenoids, and spark gap electrodes. The right model depends on the load's voltage, current, and timing requirements, since each load type stresses the driver differently: a capacitive load such as a Pockels cell demands fast charge and discharge current, while an inductive load such as a solenoid coil demands that the driver manage the stored magnetic energy safely when current is switched off.

For example, a Pockels cell used for Q-switching needs a driver capable of a fast voltage swing into a largely capacitive load, which points toward a PVX Series pulser sized for that capacitance and switching speed, while a laser diode array is a very different current-mode load better matched to a PCX or PCM driver.

A pulse delay generator does not drive the load directly. Instead, units such as the Model 577 supply the precise trigger and gate timing that tells a high-voltage pulser when to fire, typically with sub-nanosecond to low-nanosecond timing resolution depending on the model. The pulsed power unit, such as a PVX Series pulser, then delivers the actual high-current or high-voltage output to the load.

For example, a Model 577 can be programmed to issue a trigger with a precise, adjustable delay after a reference event, and that trigger tells a PVX-4110 exactly when to switch its externally supplied high voltage onto the load, giving accurate, repeatable timing control over the pulse without the delay generator ever touching the high-voltage path itself.

Yes. Pulsed power and delay generator products are often integrated in the same setup, with digital delay generators providing precise timing control and DEI high-voltage units delivering the actual high-current or high-voltage output. The delay generator triggers the pulser at the right moment relative to some reference event, which lets you synchronize the high-voltage pulse with other events in the test, such as a camera exposure or a separate measurement window.

For example, a Model 577 delay generator can fire a PVX pulser a fixed, adjustable delay after a laser Q-switch trigger, so the high-voltage pulse lands in the same timing window relative to the optical pulse, run after run.

Key precautions include using properly rated cabling and connectors for the voltage in use, training personnel on lockout and tagout procedures before they work on a live system, maintaining safe clearance distances around exposed high-voltage connections, and never working alone on high-voltage equipment. Stored energy in capacitors, including the energy-storage capacitors inside a pulser itself, can remain dangerous well after power is removed, so always discharge and verify a de-energized state with a meter before touching any connection.

For example, a PVX pulser's internal storage capacitor can hold a hazardous charge for a period after the external high-voltage supply is switched off, which is why a proper shutdown procedure includes a discharge or wait period and a voltage check, not just turning off the supply and disconnecting the cable.

The PIM-MINI-20 is a specialized pulsed current monitor with limited stock availability. Lead times and minimum order quantities vary with production schedules. Contact Berkeley Nucleonics for current availability and to confirm a delivery date for your application.

For SiPM detectors with integrated electronics, use the PTN 16-10 (0 to 16 V, 0 to 10 A). For SiPM detectors without integrated electronics, use the PTN 65-2 (0 to 65 V, 0 to 2 A).

The PCO Series laser diode driver modules carry a standard minimum order quantity for standalone purchases. Flexibility may be offered when they are bundled with other BNC instruments. Contact Berkeley Nucleonics to confirm the current quantity and any bundling options for your order.

Both detectors offer exceptionally low background, which gives excellent sensitivity, and both come in large sizes for room-temperature gamma spectroscopy. CeBr3 gives superior energy resolution near 4% FWHM, while NaI(Tl) near 7% FWHM wins on large volume, high efficiency, and cost.

Neutrons interact with the nuclei of suitable elements such as Li-6 to produce charged particles, which in turn produce scintillation light. An alternative technique uses Li-6 fluoride / ZnS(Ag) screens read out through wavelength shifters.

The main types are alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation, x-ray radiation, and neutron radiation, the last of which is encountered in nuclear power plants and high-altitude flight.

James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932, which clarified the essential nature of the atomic nucleus. Detection then evolved from helium-3 gas detectors proposed in 1939, to lithium-6 scintillating glass, to modern crystals such as CLYC with strong gamma-neutron separation.

Gamma ray spectroscopy has moved from large lab-bound NaI(Tl) systems toward compact handheld RIIDs with on-board isotope libraries. Germanium detectors in the 1960s improved resolution, room-temperature scintillators enabled field-deployable devices, and modern RIIDs add techniques like Quadratic Compression Conversion for faster identification.

Yes. The SAM III series (SAM 950, SAMpack, and SAMmobile 150) is compatible with FEMA's RadResponder network at no additional cost to the end user.

Advantages include widespread smartphone familiarity, a quality display with excellent linearity and resolution, a detachable PDA for Bluetooth control from a distance, and the ability to add pictures or video to reports.

Variable Alarm Mode allows a low threshold for sensitivity while preventing false triggers from background changes. Auto Variable Trigger automatically optimizes that threshold setting.

The sigma trigger allows a low threshold for sensing radioactive sources while staying unaffected by false triggering from background changes. A sigma setting of 4 is recommended.

Some isotopes have many peaks with very low abundance (branching ratio), which makes them harder to identify. Examples include Ra-226 and U-238, which require closer proximity or longer acquisition times.

The SAM III instruments reach a maximum count rate of 100,000 to 150,000 CPS, depending on the amount of background and the number of energy peaks being processed.

BNC provides standard ANSI N42 compliant libraries for SNM, Medical, Industrial, and NORM, plus a user-defined library and an expanded ANSI compliant library for CeBr and LaBr detector upgrades.

Yes. The SAM 940+ detects and identifies special nuclear material including HEU and plutonium. It analyzes gamma spectra for characteristic peaks, recognizing a strong U-235 peak at 186 keV and confirming weapons-grade material through the Tl-208 photopeak at 2615 keV, which penetrates shielding.

An Li-6 solid-state neutron detector is embedded in the NaI scintillator crystal. Both crystals share power and amplification circuits, while the MCA discriminates neutron counts from gamma counts.

The SAM 950 runs for more than 8 hours of continuous use on its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, with a low-battery indicator so the operator gets warning before a recharge is needed. An AA alkaline battery adapter is available as an option for extended field use. The unit ships with a power charger (12 V, 3 A) and a vehicle charging adapter.

BNC generally recommends a 2x4x16 inch detector unless you need greater efficiency at high photon energies. For U-235 and Pu-239 there is negligible difference between the two sizes.

The MetRad1 uses two separate LED indicators and two distinct alarm tones, one set for radiation and one for metal. The operator can tell at a glance and by ear which type of alarm is present, even without looking at the display.

The nukeALERT contains an Adjustment Switch for manual control of the lowest-level sensitivity. It should not be casually adjusted, since changing it reduces the highest sensitivity.

No. The nukeALERT 951 recalibrates itself on power-up and can run for many years with nothing more than a battery change. It is powered by two AA batteries with a rated life of about two years at 48 hours of use per week, so routine upkeep amounts to swapping the batteries.

The Model 907 measures alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It is a health and safety instrument optimized to detect low levels of radiation, which makes it well suited to contamination surveys and routine area monitoring. Contact Berkeley Nucleonics to confirm its response to x-rays for your specific energy range (verify).

When the nukeALERT detects a lower natural background environment, it recalibrates itself to improve sensitivity. This auto-calibration keeps the false alarm rate low while you move between areas with different background levels.

Yes. BNC can supply LaBr3 detectors. For most applications CLLBC is recommended as an alternative, offering comparable energy resolution with dual-mode gamma and neutron detection.

BGO has very high density (7.13 g/cm³), high effective atomic number (Z=75), excellent chemical resistance, a non-hygroscopic nature, and a refractive index of 2.15. Note that Chinese export restrictions have constrained BGO availability.

NaI(Tl) has high light yield (about 38,000 photons/MeV), a density of 3.67 g/cm³, a scintillation decay time of 250 ns, typical energy resolution of 6.5 to 7.5% FWHM at 662 keV, and emission peaked at 415 nm.

Applications include nuclear medicine imaging, radiation detection at nuclear facilities, high-energy physics, homeland security screening, oil and gas well logging, X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy, radiation therapy beam monitoring, and industrial process control.

Yes, NaI(Tl) detectors can be temperature stabilized. Light output varies roughly -0.2% to -0.3% per degree Celsius, so stabilization matters for accurate energy calibration.

CLLBC offers energy resolution as good as 4.1% FWHM at 662 keV, dual-mode detection for both gamma rays and thermal neutrons, good light yield, and compatibility with both PMT and SiPM readout.

A scintillation detector converts ionizing radiation into visible light pulses, which a PMT or SiPM then detects and measures. The scintillation material chosen determines the detector's energy resolution and sensitivity.

A scintillator is a material that emits light when it interacts with ionizing radiation. Common examples include NaI(Tl), LaBr3, CeBr3, and CsI, each with distinct properties suited to specific applications.

To detect gamma rays efficiently, a material needs high density and high effective Z (protons per atom). Inorganic scintillation crystals with densities of 3 to 9 g/cm³ absorb penetrating radiation well.

Because photoelectron statistics drive accurate energy determination, materials with high light output are preferred. The emission wavelength should also match the sensitivity of the light detection device.

Decay time is the interval after which scintillation light intensity returns to 1/e of its maximum value. It matters for fast counting and timing applications.

Afterglow is the fraction of scintillation light still present after X-ray excitation stops. In halide scintillation crystals it can reach 5 to 10% after 3 ms. BGO, CeBr3, and CdWO4 are low-afterglow materials.

Each scintillation material has a characteristic emission spectrum with a distinct wavelength and intensity. That spectrum matters when choosing the readout device (PMT, photodiode, or SiPM) and the window material.

Properties vary widely by material. NaI(Tl) is hygroscopic and needs hermetic sealing. CsI(Tl) is plastic and deforms under pressure rather than cracking. Materials also differ in resistance to radiation damage and mechanical stress.

SiPMs are an alternative to standard PMTs, typically 3x3 or 6x6 mm and combinable into matrices. For small crystal sizes and low-voltage operation, SiPM readout can be advantageous.

Yes. The light output of most scintillators depends on temperature. Most show decreased light output at higher temperatures, due to competition between radiative and nonradiative transitions.

The key properties are density and atomic number (Z), light output (wavelength and intensity), decay time (the duration of the scintillation light pulse), mechanical and optical properties, and cost.

Material selection depends on radiation type, required energy resolution, operating temperature range, count rate, and cost. NaI(Tl) is the most widely used general-purpose gamma detector.

Consider the scintillation material, the target radiation, and the operating conditions (lab, vehicle, space, oil well, and so on), since these drive environmental protection and form factor. Also clarify delivery timelines, quantities, whether you need complete systems or crystals only, and how the detector integrates into a larger apparatus.

Yes, and it is an important part of product selection. BNC adds special packing materials around the crystal and PMT, reaches IP54 or IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, includes ergonomic features such as handles, and can integrate the bMCA readout directly onto the detector for a cohesive portable system.

Radiation damage is a change in scintillation characteristics from prolonged, intense radiation exposure. It shows up as decreased optical transmission and a deterioration of energy resolution.

Yes. bGamma is a full spectroscopic package for NaI, HPGe, and other spectroscopy applications. It is the only spectroscopy package that runs on both Mac and Windows. That cross-platform support means a single license covers mixed-OS labs without forcing a Windows-only workflow. For setup details or a quote, contact info@berkeleynucleonics.com.

Yes. BNC offers multi-year service agreements on all of our products, available in 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year terms. These agreements keep your instruments calibrated, supported, and covered across the life of the product, whether it is a pulse or delay generator, a signal generator, a radiation detector, or a Heinzinger high-voltage supply. To scope an agreement for your specific model or request a quote, contact info@berkeleynucleonics.com or use the Get a Quote form.

The fastest route is the Get a Quote form on the BNC site, which sends your request straight to the front office. You can also call 415-453-9955 or email info@berkeleynucleonics.com with the model and quantity you need. Typical response time is under 2 hours. If an order is time-sensitive, note that in your message so the team can flag it for expediting.

The main headquarters is in California at 2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901. Sales offices are located throughout the United States and in many European and Asian countries. For orders, quotes, or support from any region, reach the front office at info@berkeleynucleonics.com.