CAM PIPS: Series CAM

The CANBERA CAM PIPS detector is a special version of the standard PIPS detector which has features that are very important in applications involving the measurement of alpha (and beta) particles from filters associated with continuous air monitors. The same device is ideal for measuring filter samples off-line. The CAM PIPS detector has aluminum and varnish coatings on the front surface. The aluminum coating allows the detector to be operated in ambient light and the varnish coating provides mechanical protection for the aluminum layer. The total entrance window thickness is less than 2 ìm equivalent silicon. For convenience and cost savings the CAM PIPS detector is designed to operate with +15 to +24 V bias. This means that, for most systems, no H.V. bias supply is required. The detector operates from the dc voltage that is normally available to power the electronics in the system. For alphas, the detectors can operate with bias voltage as low as 15 V. With 70 V bias, the beta threshold (noise) is reduced to the levels indicated in the table and full depletion is achieved which ensures uniform response.

Resolution is given for ²⁴¹Am, 5.486 MeV alphas, using standard CANBERRA electronics and 0.5 µs shaping time constant.