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OEM Detector & Preamplifier Configurations

PA-210 & PA-230 OEM Preamplifiers for Amptek Detectors

The AXR/PA-210 or AXR/PA-230, is for experts/OEMs in the field. Any Amptek detector can be used (Si-PIN, SDD, or CdTe). There are many options for this configuration as can be seen in the pictures below.

The customer needs to provide custom heat-sinking and a custom enclosure for the AXR/PA-210 or AXR/PA-230.  If the PA210/PA230 Housings are used, additional heat-sinking to the Housings will be needed.

Additionally, the customer needs to provide several external power supplies, a shaping amplifier and MCA, or digital processor, and communication with the host computer.

Figure 1. AXR Detectors, PA-210 and PA-230 Preamplifiers, and Housings
  • Electrical & Pin Connections +


    Electrical Connections for both PA-210 and PA-230

    • The electrical diagram and pin connections below are for both the PA-210 and PA-230.
    • The Si-PIN Detectors require positive High Voltage (+HV) and produce a negative output pulse.
    • The Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD) require negative High Voltage (-HV) and produce a positive output pulse.
    • Make sure to use the correct High Voltage polarity for the appropriate detector.
    • The connector does not have contacts on both sides. Connect the flex cable accordingly such that the contacts on the flex cable connect to the contacts in the connector.

    Figure 2. PA-210/PA-230 Preamplifier Connection Diagram

    Pin Connections

    Pin 1 Cooler Return Best to connect to ground at cooler power supply
    Pin 2 Cooler Supply Current = 350 mA maximum, voltage = 3.6 V maximum with <100 mV peak-to-peak noise
    Pin 3 Preamp +5 V DC +5 V DC, 15 mA with no more than 50 mV peak-to-peak noise
    Pin 4 Preamp -5 V DC -5 V DC, 15 mA with no more than 50 mV peak-to-peak noise
    Pin 5 Ground (signal return) Connect to signal return (processor/shaping amplifier ground)
    Pin 6 Signal Out Connect to input of shaping amplifier or digital processor
    Pin 7 Temp Temperature diode, see Temperature Diode Calibration Curve below
    Pin 8 Ground Chassis Ground
    Pin 9 N/C N/C
    Pin 10 High Voltage (HV) Si-PIN (positive HV): +100 to +200 V @ 1 µA (varies for different detector types) very stable <0.1% variation
    SDD (negative HV): -85 to -200 V @ 25 µA (varies for different detector types) very stable <0.1% variation
  • Temperature Diode & Cooler Control +


    Pin 3 to Pin 7 resistor (R19) is to supply current to the temperature diode.

    • The 27.4K (R19) resistor can be external to the PA210/PA230, or on the board; it will supply 160 uA to the diode
      • See the plot in our gallery below for conversion of mV to temperature for this current.
    • If connected to the DP5/PC5 the resistor is not needed
      • The DP5/PC5 supplies its own current to the diode and reports the temperature in Kelvin in the software
    • The user must use the temperature diode for close loop control of the cooler, not just to read out the temerpature of the detector.
    • The detector must be kept at a constant temperature to ensure stable operation.
    • The cooler has a maximum temperature differential of 85 °C.
    • At a minimum the OEM should regulate the temperature to 230 K (-43 °C).
      • This will give roughly 10 to 15 degrees of headroom (this means that the instrument temperature plus room temperature can rise 10 to 15 degrees and the detector will stay at 230 K,.accomodating an ambient temperature of about 30 to 35 °C.
      • If the instrument needs to be run in even warmer environments, then the detector must be operated warmer in order to maintain stability

    Figure 3. Temperature Diode Calibration Curve for I = 160 µA

    Figure 4. This example temperature control circuit supplies 160 uA through the temperature diode, corresponding to the Temperature Diode Calibration Curve for I=160 uA.  If this circuit is used to control the PA-210/PA-230 preamp, DO NOT install R19 on the preamplifier since the current is set through R1 on the temperature controller circuit.  Instead, connect Pin 7 on the PA-210/PA-230 to the input of the temperature controller circuit as shown in this schematic.

  • Mechanicals +


    General AXR (T0-8) Mechanical Dimensions

    Figure 5. All dimensions in inches ±0.005.

    Typical Detector Geometry

    Figure 6. Typical Detector Geometry.

    Right Angle Heat Sink Mechanical Dimensions (supplied with OEM components)

    Figure 7. All dimensions in inches ±0.005.

    Figure 8. Detector, PA210 or PA230 preamplifier, and heat sink assembly.

    Figure 9. Detector, PA210 or PA230 preamplifier, and heat sink assembly.

    PA-210 Cover and PC Board

    10. AXR Detector with PA-210 and Housing, Mechanical Dimensions; all Measurements in Inches [mm]

    11. PA-210 Mechanical Dimensions, All Measurements in Inches

    PA-230 Cover and PC Board


    For product modeling and design, download the STP file at this link → PA230_STP

    12. AXR Detector with PA-230 and Housing, Mechanical Dimensions; all Measurements in Inches [mm]

    13. PA-230 Mechanical Dimensions, All Measurements in Inches


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    AXR detector with PA-210 preamplifier

     

    PA-230 Preamplifier with Heat Sink

     

    PA-210 Housing

     

    PA-230 Housing

     

    PA-230 Optional Configurations

     

    PA-210/230 with 1.5" Extender

     

    PA-230 Flexible Preamplifier with Detector, Heat Sink, and Mounting Hardware.

  • Documentation +