Ultra Fast Current Amplifiers for Helium-3 detectors

Features

• For nuclear Fuel Cycle factories
• Ultra high count rates (8 E⁶ c/s)
• Long distances between detector and electronics: several hundred meters
• Very high gamma rates: several Gy/h

Description

The pulse current amplifiers are widely used in on-line neutron measurements in the French plants dedicated to the nuclear fuel cycle, in particular in the reprocessing plants of COGEMA at La Hague, Marcoule and Cadarache.

In addition to an excellent immunity against industrial electromagnetic disturbances, the current amplifier electronics can be placed far away from the detector (up to several hundred meters) and the measurement system may be used at very high count rates (5 x E5 c/s with Helium-3 detectors) and in very high gamma fields (several Gray per hour).
These specifications, together with a high sensitivity, are very adapted to the hard environmental conditions of nuclear factories.

The two NIM modules 7820-ADS (Pulse Amplifier, and Discriminator) and 7821-HV (High Voltage Supply) make up a complete device for detector biasing, amplification and conditioning of low level pulses delivered by Helium-3 neutron detectors.
They embody a new programmable and interchangeable version of the former G-ADSF10 amplifier, widely used in France (about 1 300 units in operation over many years).

For homogeneity purposes, these amplifiers can also be used in association with bore depositated neutron detectors or scintillators-photomultipliers for measurement of Alpha, Beta or Gamma Rays by mean of different internal adjustments.