MCA4A Series Multichannel Analyzer

• Complete versatile MCA data acquisition system 
• Several operating modes:

1. PHA (pulse height analysis) using 1 to 4 inputs 
2. Digital Pole-Zero filter and Trapezoidal filter for positive and negative preamplifier signals
3. SVA (sampling voltage analysis) mode
4. SCOPE mode using 1 to 4 inputs (32...262μs)
5. FFT mode using 1 to 4 inputs (0...62.5MHz)
6. Simultaneous SCOPE / FFT / PHA usage
7. MCS (multichannel scaling) using 1 or 2 inputs 

• 4 on board 125MHz sampling, virtually dead- time-less pulse height analyzing 16 bit ADCs
• > 1 M PHA events per second on each channel
• ADC resolution 32k/16k(64k), optional 2k, 4k, 8k 
• 4 ADC buffer memories allow storage of up to 8 analogue pulses (depending on pulse widths) each providing virtually dead-time-less data acquisition
• Several optimized pulse height analysis fitting algorithms (absolute maximum, for Gaussian pulses, for flat-top pulses, future kinds optional)
• ADC input range switchable (0...+10V or ±5V) (optional 0...+8V or ±4V ranges)
• GATE inputs and SCA outputs
• External Clock and RTC Reset inputs
• Optional eight 125 MHz 48bit scalers, 2 are presettable, optionally up/down counting controlled by individual gate inputs
• Easy experimental setup due to simultaneousSCOPE, FFT, PHA data acquisition possibility
• Digital stabilizer for gain and zero stabilization 
• Sum spectrum shifted according to individual calibrations enables forming a super-detector
• MCS mode offers two inputs with programmable (fast/slow NIM, rising/falling edge) discriminators

1. individual treshold adjustable for Start and Stop inputs
2. Maximum MCS count rates of 400MHz
3. Dwell time from 30ns for one channel or 60 ns for two channels up to 781h in steps of 10 ns or external
4. No dead-time between channels, no double counting, no end-of-sweep dead-time
5. Automatic sequential mode for up to 65536 sequential MCS spectra
6. On board MCS memory (16M x 32bit)

• 8 bit digital I/O lines
• The 8 digital I/O ports can be used as TAG inputs that are sampled with 2.5 µsec.
• 4 Single Channel Analyzer (SCA) outputs, software programmable for several SYNC signals
• GO-LINE compatible with other FAST products
• Available in various configurations, options and firmware in-the-field upgradable
• 1 ms real time clock (RTC) tagging standard,
• 8 ns RTC optional for each ADC
• Dualparameter coincidence mode optional
• Four parameter coincidence mode including Replay of list files optional

•  Nuclear- and X-ray spectroscopy
• LIDAR
• Mössbauer Spectroscopy
• Dynamic Desorption Studies
• Cross-correlation measurements
• Scanning Mass Spectroscopy
• Fluorescence Lifetime Studies
• Time-correlated Single Photon and Ion Counting
• Laser induced chemical reactions
• Portable Spectrum Analysis
• Setup of experiments in High-Energy Physics
• OEM-applications
• Remote Spectrum Acquisition

PHA (SVA) mode:
ADC: 4x 125MHz continuously sampling, Software programmable ULD, LLD and THRESHOLD

ADC inputs: 4x BNC, Z_IN > 1kΩ, range unipolar 0...+10V , 0...+8V, 0..2.5V, 0..2V, bipolar ± 5V,  ± 4V,  ±1.25V, ± 1V

GATE input: 4x BNC, Z_IN = 50Ω or 4.7kΩ pull-up (+3.3V) or pull-down, (TTL), coincidence or antocoincidence in Gate mode, +/- edge sensitive when used as sampling input for SVA 

Memory: 32k ADC sample buffer memory (segmentable in up to 8 segments) for virtually dead- time-less pulse height analysis (each input) 

List-mode storage of analyzed PHA data

Max. rate: > 1 M events per sec on each input without loss

Time Tags: Each input pulse tagged with 1ms or RTC with 8ns time resolution (option)

Real- / Live-Time counter: 1 ms resolution, presettable, one for each input channel

8 bit digital I/O lines: external control / sample-changer, status

TAG inputs: The 8 digital I/O ports can be used as TAG inputs that are sampled with 2.5 µsec.

MCS mode:

MCS inputs: START, STOP 1 & 2, Channel Advance MCS inputs: 4x BNC, Z_IN = 50Ω or Z_IN = 4.7kΩ pull-up (+3.3V) or pull-down, fast NIM or ECL seperately adjustable thresholds -2V ... +2V, 400 MHz max

On board histogramming memory: 16M x 32bit 

Dwell time modes: software selectable internal, or external channel advance

Dwell time / bin: 30 ns for 1 and 60 ns for 2 inputs...781h settable in steps of 10 ns. (2^48 x 10 ns)

Dead-time between time bins: zero

End-of-sweep dead-time: 10 ns

Spectrum length: up to 16M time bins

Sweep Counter: 48 bit, presettable

Sequential mode: 1...65536 spectra with no dead- time between each cycle or synchronized with external signal 

Connectors:
Analog signal inputs:  4x BNC
GATE / MCS inputs: 4x BNC
FEATURE I/O:  15 pin high density, female  
                        D- SUB (Analog Ground, 8 bit  
                        Digital I/O, GO-Line, 4x SCA) 
12V Supply:      2.1mm center pin (rear panel) 
USB 3.0:    (rear panel) Type A
Ext. Clock / RTC Reset: 2x BNC (rear panel)
Scalers: D-SUB 37 (rear panel)

Power Requirements: +11...+14V / 12W power supply enclosed

Physical: aluminum case, 260mm x 48mm x 275mm, 1.7 kG

Shipping case: 420mm x 320mm x 290mm, 4 kg