Ultra-LO 1800: Ultra Low Background Alpha Particle Counter

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The UltraLo-1800 alpha particle counter

The UltraLo-1800 is a low background alpha-particle counter that reflects 8 years of continued development from XIA's initial technology discovery and patent application (US Patent # 6,732,059).

The UltraLo-1800 is a revolutionary design that employs Electronic Background Suppression to drive achievable background rates to 0.0001 alpha/cm2/hr or lower. This is a factor of 50 or more better than can be achieved by the conventional proportional counter systems that are now commercially available.

Primary Benefits & Features include:

Measure sample emissivities to 0.0001 /cm2/hr and below
Large sample area - accepting samples up to 1800 cm2
Accurate results in much shorter counting times
All electronics and controls are included. Needs only a control computer, nitrogen gas and electrical power to begin.
Modular component design - to simply field service

Click the images for a larger view.

Product Status

The UltraLo-1800 has recently concluded a private beta-test phase, the results of which are very encouraging (paper #1 below). Currently, we are in the process of applying a small design revision prior to beginning production of the commercially available counter.

During the interim, we are happy to provide interested parties with access to the technology. XIA LLC plans on offering a limited testing service whereupon potential customers may send samples for evaluation measurements using the prototype UltraLo-1800 instruments. Please contact us (link) if you are interested.

The Technology – Electronic Background Suppression

Thru the use of novel, dual channel, pulse-shape-analysis techniques, the UltraLo-1800 is able to distinguish between alpha particles emitted from the sample under test, and those emitted from other parts of the counter structure. By rejecting the latter, it can achieve background rates approaching 0.0001 alpha/cm2/hr. Under these conditions, we have shown* that it becomes feasible to measure samples having emissivities in the 0.001 to 0.0005 alpha/cm2/hr range in less than 10 hours, and to measure emissivities below 0.0005 alpha/cm2/hr in less than 100 hours.

*Published Papers:

An Evaluation of An Ultralow Background Alpha-Particle Detector
Ultra-low background alpha particle counter using pulse shape analysis (PDF format 451KB)
Electronic Background Rejection in a New Ultra-Low Background Alpha Particle Counter (PDF format 434KB)

References:

Static Buildup and Measuring Insulators in the UltraLo (PDF format 313KB)
The Effects of Exposing Samples to Room Air (PDF format 269KB)

Additional Information

If you are interested in learning more about this product, or if you would like to receive additional information about the commercial availability of this product, please download this PDF response form, complete as much as you'd like, and send it to:

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