Welcome to Maximus Energy! Your one-stop shop for all of your nuclear emission detection needs. At Maximus Energy we build affordable, versatile alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, and neutron spectrometry systems that make radiation detection and spectroscopy trustworthy and easy. Our goal is to make education on radiation detection best practices more accessible and provide the tools necessary to enable rapid, reliable and cost-effective nuclear experimentation.
Turn-Key Systems
Research-grade radiation detection systems generally require extensive training, meticulous configuration, painstaking calibration and in-depth understanding of particle physics in order to become effective. All of these tasks require highly qualified personnel (PhD-level), take time and money and therefore become a significant burden, inflate the budget, and slow down the pace of nuclear research.
At Maximus Energy, we build turn-key systems that are shipped fully assembled and calibrated. These systems require only minimum knowledge and ordinary skill in order to collect solid data. We have automated the nuclear data acquisition process by providing PulseCounter software, which runs on Windows. The software features an intuitive user interface and provides a full set of data acquisition, experiment management, statistical analysis, data aggregation, data audit, and signal analysis tools.
All turn-key systems come fitted with a touch-screen tablet PC (usually Dell Venue Pro 11 model 7140 with Intel Core-M CPU, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD) running Windows 10 with the PulseCounter software already installed. The entire system is packaged in a sturdy aluminum box with 3-mm thick walls, which acts as a Faraday cage protecting the equipment from electromagnetic interference. The turn-key system can operate both from battery (for ultimate EM interference protection) or from A/C power (e.g. for very long data acquisition). Each system can be remotely accessed and monitored via WiFi and thus can be integrated into an Automated Nuclear Lab network.
Modular Systems
Our modular systems allow for ultimate configuration flexibility and require only a minimum effort to become fully operational. Such systems typically ship without a tablet and therefore require a Windows host PC with an available USB port.
To bring a modular system online follow these steps:
- Install PicoSDK on your host PC;
- Copy the preconfigured PulseCounter software from the provided flash drive to your host PC;
- Connect a detector to the MCA module;
- Connect the MCA module to a USB port on your host PC using the supplied USB cable;
- Run PulseCounter software. If you have purchased a detector from us, the software will come with a preset and calibration for the detector and thus will require no tuning. If you plan to use your own detector you will have to create a new preset and calibrate your detector using a calibration source.
Build Your Own System
Since there is no one-fits-all solution, here at Maximus Energy we are happy to build you the state-of-the-art radiation detection system that you have always dreamed of. To help you configure a custom system, follow these easy steps.
STEP 1: Choose an ADC Resolution
8-bit Systems
If cost is a major factor and you are focused on low (< 5,000 CPS) count rates you may safely choose an 8-bit system. An 8-bit system delivers excellent energy resolution at the expense of a reduced count rate and provides about $1,000 in cost savings when compared to a 16-bit system. An 8-bit system can still be used for very high count rates, although for count rates higher than 10,000 CPS, an 8-bit system will provide a diminished energy resolution. An 8-bit system supports sample rates from 60 Hz to 5 MHz.
16-bit Systems
For high (> 10,000 CPS) count rates and for ultimate energy resolution, we recommend choosing a 16-bit system. With the 16-bit system, it is possible to achieve count rates as high as 1,000,000 CPS. Supported sample rates range from 60 Hz to 64 MHz.
STEP 2: Specify the Number of ADC Channels
Most radiation detection systems acquire data on a single channel. If you need to acquire data on multiple channels, (e.g. when using multiple parallel detectors) other manufacturers require purchasing additional systems.
Our systems are different. We can build you a system that will acquire data simultaneously on 2, 3, or 4 channels. The multiple channels can acquire data from either identical or dissimilar detectors (e.g. neutron and gamma). In fact, you can use extra channels to capture auxiliary signals such as voltage or current wave forms. However, voltage range and sampling frequency must be the same across all channels. If you need to acquire analog data across a wide variety of voltage ranges and sampling frequencies, you will need separate systems.
STEP 3: Select a Power Supply
99.9% of the systems that we make are fitted with the adjustable low-noise/low-ripple 0 to +3,000V @ 1 mA max power supply. If you need a negative bias, we will fit your system with an adjustable 0 to -3,000V power supply. Higher maximum currents are also possible.
If you are ordering a multiple ADC-channel system that is going to be used with dissimilar detectors requiring different bias voltages, then we can fit your system with several HV supplies to provide separate bias control for each detector.
STEP 4: Choose Connectors
Half of the systems that we build are fitted with a single SHV connector that communicates both the HV bias voltage (e.g. DC offset) and the detector signal.
The other half of the systems that we make are fitted with two connectors: SHV to communicate HV bias to the detector, and BNC to receive the low voltage signal from the detector.
If you need something different, we can install a single BNC, a single MHV, a combination of BNC + MHV, BNC + SHV or provide a different custom connector to fit your application.
STEP 5: Pick Detectors
The vast majority of systems that we build are fitted with a bare (non-moderated) Helium-3 neutron detector or a run-of-the-mill NaI(Tl) gamma detector. Let us know what type of radiation you intend to measure and we will help you choose the best detector for the job.
Stock Neutron & Gamma Detectors
We stock a wide variety of unmoderated Helium-3 proportional neutron counters (6-12” long) and NaI(Tl) spectrometry-grade detectors (Saint Gobain / Bicron, or Scionix brands; sizes 1 to 5”; solid, center well, center hole).
We also offer low-energy gamma / X-ray silicon-drift detectors from AmpTek as well as alpha and beta detectors. These include alpha and beta spectrometer systems based on Ortec Soloist or Tennelec TC-256 spectrometers fitted with PIPS detectors.
Custom Detectors
If your needs are truly unique, we can supply a range of crystal scintillators, including CsI(Tl), BGO, LaBr3, LYSO, CdWO4, YAG(Ce), Lithium Glass, NaIL / NaI(Tl + Li), CLLB / Cs2LiLaBr6(Ce), HPGe, etc.
If you need a plastic scintillator or require a silicon photomultiplier (SIPM), we can provide these too.
We also build custom neutron detectors complete with HDPE moderator. For applications requiring ultimate sensitivity and large solid angle coverage, we provide neutron detectors organized in multi-detector banks.
Third Party Detectors
Already have a detector you would like to use? No problem. Most third-party detectors are already compatible with our systems: a majority of OEM detectors come with a BNC (detector signal) and SHV (detector bias) connectors that can be cabled directly into our two-connector system. Single-connector detectors that carry the detector signal and bias via one cable, and in most cases can be directly connected to our single-connector system. If your existing detector is using a proprietary connector, we can usually make a custom cable for it.
Interfacing with Existing Systems
If you have an existing detector system such as SDD, X-Ray or HPGe you can still use our hardware for experiment management, signal processing, spectrum display and statistical analysis. In other words, you can upgrade your obsolete MCA with a user-friendly PulseCounter interface. All you need is an ADC and PulseCounter software.
STEP 6: Package Your System
We typically package our turn-key systems in a 3-mm aluminum enclosure with a removable lid and a tablet inside. The enclosure acts as a Faraday cage and protects your system from electromagnetic interference. With the lid closed, these systems will operate safely and satisfactory in proximity of high voltage / high current discharges exceeding tens of kiloamperes.
For less demanding applications, we build systems with a USB jack that one can connect to an external host PC or tablet.
Wired Synchronization
Normally we fit our systems with a BNC connector to enable external hard-wired synchronization for triggering data acquisition. Alternatively, (e.g. in a noisy environment, where an extra sync cable can catch interference or form a ground loop) multiple devices can be synchronized using a sync cable ahead of time. The sync cable can be removed and the devices will remain in sample-accurate sync throughout the duration of the experiment. Intrinsic clock drift on our systems is better than 1 ppm per year.
Ordering Process
We stock a variety of both modular and turn-key systems for immediate delivery. To order a custom system, please email us to discuss your needs and obtain a quote. Custom systems usually take 1-2 weeks to manufacture. Please keep in mind that custom detectors are subject to their respective manufacturer lead time.
Boost Productivity with Automated Nuclear Lab
Multiple Maximus Energy systems can be arranged in an Automated Nuclear Lab network where a single host PC running PulseCounter can control multiple devices effectively, comprising a single experiment. The host PC can synchronize, start and stop data acquisition as well as automatically aggregate data coming from multiple devices while performing statistical significance analysis in real time. Automated Nuclear Lab network requires WiFi or hard-wired network connectivity for communication.
