Design of the MsAa-4 Moessbauer Spectrometer

An entirely new Moessbauer spectrometer MsAa-4 is currently being under design and construction. New features as compared to the basic features of the previous generation MsAa-3 spectrometer could be summarized as follows. Completely digital processing of the γ-ray detector signal beyond the Gaussian shape filter/amplifier is to be implemented. The spectrometer is going to be able to accommodate external multiple detector heads. Up to 128 γ-ray spectra in 16384 channels of 32-bit each and up to 512 Moessbauer spectra in 4096 channels of 32-bit each could be collected simultaneously, provided the proper external multiple detector head is used. The count-rate per single detector is limited to about 105 counts per second in total. Improved precision of the reference function from 12-bit to 16-bit is to be provided. The reference function is stored in 8192 channels per a complete cycle. Addition of the random noise to the reference corner prism of the Michelson-Morley calibration interferometer is to be introduced to avoid spurious fringes due to the phase lock-up. An integrated universal temperature controller being able to use a variety of the temperature sensors is to be interconnected properly with the spectrometer. The spectrometer is now a stand-alone network device as it is equipped with the Ethernet connection to the outside world. Fast and high precision digital oscilloscope is to be incorporated to the spectrometer as the intrinsic unit. This oscilloscope could monitor signals at various crucial points of the internal spectrometer electronics. Modular design and use of the strict standards allows easy reconfiguration for other applications than Moessbauer spectroscopy.