Comprehensive nuclear counting and detector characterisation system for the radiochemistry laboratory

The paper describes a comprehensive nuclear pulse counting system that can cater to up to seven nuclear detector set-ups located in different places in the laboratory. Each detector set up has an interfacing module that conditions the amplifier pulses and transmits them to a common counting system. The microcontroller-based system receives these pulses through a multiplexer and counts the pulses for a user specified preset time. The system has a routine to determine detector plateau characteristics and fix the detector operating voltage. In this mode, the system collects the EHT-versus- counts data in a EHT programmed sequence and plots the profile. The system conducts the counting routine for a stipulated number of times and does all necessary statistical tests to ensure the proper functioning of the detector under test. The system also includes a test routine that checks the performance of the counting system by connecting it to a local pulse generator. The microcontroller based system interacts with a PC through RS232 communication for user interaction and reporting. (author)