MTR2: a discriminator and dead-time module used in counting systems

In the field of radioactivity measurement, there is a constant need for hig hly specialized electronic modules such as ADCs, amplifiers, discriminators , dead-time modules, etc. But sometimes it is almost impossible to find on the market the modules having the performances corresponding to our needs. The purpose of the module presented here. called MTR2 (Module de Temps-mort Reconductible), is to process, in terms of pulse height discrimination and dead-time corrections, the pulses delivered by the detectors used in count ing systems. This dead-time, of the extendible type, is triggered by both t he positive and negative parts of the incoming pulse and the dead-time corr ections are made according to the live-time method. This module, which has been developed and tested at LPRI, can be used alone in simple counting cha nnels or in more complex systems such as coincidence systems. The philosoph y governing the choice and the implementation of this type of dead-time as well as the system used for the dead-time corrections is presented. The ele ctronic scheme and the performances are also presented. This module is avai lable in the NIM standard. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.