MCA-LITE

Maximus Energy MCA-LITE is a budget/entry-level universal digital pulse processor (DPP) and multichannel analyzer (MCA) that functions as a complete spectrometer with PulseCounter Pro software.

MCA-LITE works with just about any detector type (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, x-ray, SSB, PIPS, HPGe, etc.) that provides an analog output (step-like signal with exponential decay). MCA-LITE also accepts shaped pulses (triangular, trapezoidal, or Gaussian).

MCA-LITE is best suited for low-resolution spectroscopy and counting applications. For high-resolution spectroscopy, use Pico-MCA, MCA-PRO, or Automated Nuclear Lab products.

MCA-LITE provides a single connector that combines HV bias (positive, 300 to 3000V, 0.5A max) with the detector signal.

MCA-LITE is available in two configurations:

1. With a built-in charge-sensitive preamp (analogous to Ortec 142PC), optimized for neutron detectors/proportional counters.
2. With a simple capacitive filter for removing HV bias from the detector signal. This is a general-purpose configuration suitable for detectors that produce a strong signal (>20 mV) that can be digitized without a preamp.

Features

• Channels: 1
• Resolution: 8-bit
• Sampling rate: 100 kHz to 5 MHz
• Input signal range: 50 mV to 20V
• HV bias: 300 to 3000V, 0.5 mA max
• MCA channels: unlimited
• Detector signal shape: arbitrary
• Pulse shaping algorithms: trapezoidal, differential, integration
• Count rates: up to 100,000 CPS
• Energy and dose calibration
• Count rate histogram
• Rise time histogram
• Pulse width histogram
• Poisson distribution fitting
• Statistical significance analysis
• Detector signal monitoring
• Raw signal logging
• etc.

Installation

1. Connect a detector to the MCA-LITE.
2. Connect the MCA-LITE to a PC via the included USB cable.
3. Install PicoSDK on your PC.
4. Run PulseCounter Pro software. Create a new project and set up presets for the connected detectors.

• 64-bit Windows PC
• USB 2.0 port
• Screen resolution: 1920×1080 or higher
• For the software UI to display correctly, set the Windows font scaling at 100%.