Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2-2024

Publication Title

HardwareX

Volume

17

First page number:

1

Last page number:

13

Abstract

Despite being widely used for high-resolution spectral analysis and quantifying low activity in natural samples, the operations and data analysis of High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detectors are seldom fully automated due to the excessive costs associated with commercially available automatic sample changing systems. This paper introduces the design and implementation of a cost-effective, customized remote gamma-ray spectra collection system centered around the HPGe detector coupled to a cosmic-ray veto background reduction device. The HPGe detector system, equipped with a Lynx DSA, is seamlessly integrated with an economically viable automatic sample changer. This sample vial changer is controlled by a high-torque NEMA 34 stepper servo motor from Vention. Web control of the rotary actuator is facilitated through a CAD-based programming tool. The remote-controlled sample pick-and-place procedure is executed using a robotic arm (Trossen Robotics, Viper X 250). The DYNAMIXEL servomotors of the robotic arm are programmed using Python software supported by the Robotic Operating System. Beyond its technical construction, this system is uniquely fashioned for academic research, providing invaluable hands-on experience in gamma spectrometry to both junior researchers and students.

Keywords

Automatic sampler; Gamma-ray detector; Remote Gamma Spectrum Collection System; CosmicGuard System

Disciplines

Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics | Nuclear | Plasma and Beam Physics

File Format

pdf

File Size

6100 KB

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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