Genie™ 2000 Tutorials

9235912E
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Tutorial ........................................................... 1
2. Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard ................................................ 3
The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor....................................................................................... 3
Building an MCA Definition ..................................................................................................... 4
For multiple MCA configurations .............................................................................................. 4
Starting the MID Editor ............................................................................................................. 5
Editing an MCA ......................................................................................................................... 5
Defining an MCA....................................................................................................................... 6
Device Setup .......................................................................................................................... 7
Parameter Settings ................................................................................................................. 7
Saving the Input Definition ........................................................................................................ 7
Changing the Summary View .................................................................................................... 8
Creating a New MCA Definition ............................................................................................... 8
Editing an MCA Definition........................................................................................................ 8
Using MCA Definition Tables ................................................................................................... 9
Viewing the Current Database ............................................................................................... 9
Loading and Unloading Definitions..................................................................................... 10
Generating the Input Definition Report ................................................................................... 11
The MID Setup Wizard ................................................................................................................ 11
Using the MID Wizard ............................................................................................................. 12
Ending the Definition ............................................................................................................... 13
3. The Basic Genie 2000 Operations............................................... 14
How to Open a Datasource ........................................................................................................... 14
How to View the Data .................................................................................................................. 15
The Display’s Vertical Full Scale ............................................................................................ 16
How to Use the Cursor ................................................................................................................. 16
How to Use the Markers ............................................................................................................... 17
How to Add, Use and Delete ROIs ............................................................................................... 19
How to Expand the Display .......................................................................................................... 19
Labeling the Peaks ........................................................................................................................ 22
How to Describe the Data............................................................................................................. 23
How to Save the Data ................................................................................................................... 24
4. Basic Energy Calibration Techniques ........................................ 26
How to Create a New Energy Calibration .................................................................................... 27
Starting the Calibration ............................................................................................................ 27
Entering the Peak Locations..................................................................................................... 28

Genie 2000 Tutorials - 9235912E i

 Viewing the Energy Calibration............................................................................................... 28
Accepting the Energy Calibration ............................................................................................ 29
5. Basic Efficiency Calibration Techniques ................................... 30
How to Create a New Efficiency Calibration ............................................................................... 31
Starting the Calibration ............................................................................................................ 31
Adding the Efficiency Data...................................................................................................... 32
Viewing the Efficiency Calibration ......................................................................................... 33
Accepting the Efficiency Calibration ....................................................................................... 34
Saving the Efficiency Calibration for Later Use ...................................................................... 34
6. Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques................................. 35
What Are Analysis Modules? ....................................................................................................... 35
How Are the Modules Used?........................................................................................................ 35
How to Execute a Module Interactively ....................................................................................... 37
The Report Window Option ......................................................................................................... 38
How to Execute an Analysis Sequence ........................................................................................ 39
How to Edit an Analysis Sequence............................................................................................... 40
Load the Sequence ................................................................................................................... 41
Modify the Peak Locate Step ................................................................................................... 43
Store the Modified Sequence ................................................................................................... 43
Use the Modified Sequence ..................................................................................................... 45
Creating Your Own Sequence ...................................................................................................... 45
7. LabSOCS Training Course .......................................................... 46
Example: Simplified Beaker ......................................................................................................... 46
8. ISOCS Training Course ............................................................... 59
Example: Simple Box ................................................................................................................... 59
9. Efficiency Correction By ISOCS ................................................. 71
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 73
ISOCS ...................................................................................................................................... 73
LabSOCS ................................................................................................................................. 81
10. Using Cascade Correction .......................................................... 85
Prerequisites ................................................................................................................................. 85
Performing the Analysis ............................................................................................................... 85
Example of Cascade Summing Correction ................................................................................... 87
A. Glossary ....................................................................................... 90

ii Genie 2000 Tutorials - 9235912E

1. Introduction to the Tutorial
This tutorial is meant to introduce users to some of the key functions and features of
Genie 2000 Gamma Acquisition and Analysis. While these tutorials are written
primarily for gamma applications, the Model S509 Alpha Analysis Software is similar
enough that using these tutorials shouldn’t cause any confusion. For more complete
information on any of these funtions, please review the Genie Operations manual and
Genie Customizations Tools Manual. The following topics are covered in this tutorial:.

• Basic Genie 2000 operations.

• Basic energy calibration techniques.

• Basic efficiency calibration techniques.

• Basic analysis techniques in three parts.

 Executing a Module Interactively

 Executing an Analysis Sequence

 Editing an Analysis Sequence

• LabSOCS / ISOCS training examples

• Using the Efficiency Correction by ISOCS

• Using the Cascade Summings Correction

The remaining tutorials are brief introductions; their functions are covered more
thoroughly in the following documents:

• The Gamma Acquisition and Analysis chapter of the Genie 2000 Operations
Manual

• The Model S509 Genie 2000 Alpha Analysis User’s Manual, which is included
at the back of the Genie 2000 Operations Manual.

• The Geometry Composure User's Manual

Glossary
A comprehensive glossary of nuclear spectroscopy terms is included at the back of this
document.

A Prerequisite to Using the Tutorials

Before you can use these Tutorials with Genie 2000, you must have created at least one
MCA Input Definition with either the MID Wizard or the MID Editor. Instructions for
using both of these are provided in the MCA Input Definition section of this tutorial.

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Chapter 1 Introduction to the Tutorial

Using the Virtual Data Manager (VDM)

All Genie 2000 programs require the Virtual Data Manager (VDM) program to be
running before they can be started.

Starting with Genie 2000 version 3.2, the VDM application has been converted to a
Windows Service process, i.e. it runs in the background and does not appear in the
Task bar.

Warning: In contrast with previous versions of Genie 2000 installations if

the VDM service is not running, when a Genie 2000 application is
launched, the VDM service will not start automatically and
application will report an error establishing a Datasource creation
connection.

The Genie 2000 application will not be able to open any CAM
datasources until the VDM service is started again.

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 The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor

2. Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

The first step in using your Genie 2000 system is to create at least one MCA Input
Definition (MID) so the system knows what kind of MCA is installed in or connected
to your system.

An MCA Input Definition follows a standard so that it can be saved, reused, and even
copied to other systems. The MCA Input Definition is saved as a single file called a
MID file. You can also save a copy of a MID file to a removable drive if need be, to
move that setup to another system or to easily set it up at a later time.

This chapter explains the basic concepts for the Mid Editor and the Mid Setup Wizard.

For most systems, you’ll use the MID Wizard to help you set up your Input Definition
quickly and easily. But if your Input Definition is more complex than the MID Wizard
was designed to handle, you’ll have to create your definition in the MID Editor.

For instructions on how to create the definition with both the MID Setup Wizard and
the MID Editor for your specific MCA, you may also refer to the your specific MCA
user’s manual.

Genie includes the InSpector 2000 Simulator, software which approximates many of
the functions of a real InSpector 2000. It is designed to be used as a tutorial for and
demonstration of Genie 2000, without the need for an actual MCA, a detector, and
associated front-end electronics. The Simulator mimics a fully functioning InSpector
2000 and works within Genie 2000 as though it were an actual MCA, with working
Adjust Controls and simulated data acquisition. Refer to the InSpector 2000 Simulator
appendix in the Genie 2000 Operations Manual for full details.

Note: When you open the MID Editor on a remote VDM server while it’s in use,
Genie 2000 will prevent certain operations with the VDM.

The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor

The MID Editor is used to set parameters of your MCA as desired, and then save those
settings as a MID file. In addition to using the MID Editor to create a new input
definition, it may be used to edit an existing MID file. You may choose to use the MID
Editor to change the default settings for some of the MCA's programmable
components.

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Chapter 2 Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

Building an MCA Definition

Before you create your MID file, it is important to note the following operations:

• Select the MCA and front end hardware to be used for each input through the
Device Menu. To do so, you add the MCA through the MID Editor’s Edit
Menu.

• Define the operating characteristics and modes for each MCA through the
Settings Menu.

• After your desired settings for this MCA Definition have been achieved, save
the MCA Input Definition as a MID file.

For Multiple MCA configurations

Since MCA definitions are saved in individual files called MID files, you can have as
many definitions as you like. For example, you might have one MCA defined as a 1K
Sodium Iodide Spectroscopy MCA in one file and another as a 2K Sodium Iodide
Spectroscopy MCA in another file.

Although MID files can reside in your PC’s disk storage, to establish communication
with a MCA, the device’s MCA definition(s) must be loaded into Genie’s run-time
configuration database managed by the Virtual Data Manager (VDM).

A previously-loaded configuration can be edited with the MID Editor, but must first be
unloaded from the database, edited, then re-loaded back into the database.

The MID Wizard can create and load a new MCA definition; it cannot unload a
definition once loaded into the database.

Before you start an experiment you simply pick the pre-defined configuration you want
to use by selecting the appropriate MID file and loading it into the run-time database
with the MID Editor. Once loaded into the database, the definitions will remain in the
database even after rebooting the PC.

Because an MCA definition file can include any or all of the MCAs that are available
to your system, you can use more than one MCA at a time. However, each MCA can be
included only once in a given definition file and each MCA in that file must have a
unique name and/or IP address.

Next, we will discuss how to start the MID Editor, how to add (and delete) the MID
editor’s MCA entries, explain what the definition entry consists of, and how to build an
MCA Definition list.

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 The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor

Starting the MID Editor

You will use the MID Editor to work with at least one definition file for your device.

Start the MID Editor by double clicking on its icon ( ) in the Genie 2000
Program Group (or by selecting the desktop icon, if provided) or from the Start menu
select Programs | GENIE-2000 | MCA Input Definition Editor.

The result will be the application window shown below.

Figure 1 The MID Editor Window

To use the MID Editor, you build the MCA Definition list and you may then add to or
delete the desired MID files from the list.

Note: The phrase “local:Untitled” in the title bar, means that the MID Editor is
connected to the local VDM and that no file is currently open; this is the default
condition in a non-networked environment.

Editing an MCA
The Edit menu, at the top of the MCA Input Definition Editor's main window, is used
to add an MCA to or delete an MCA from an MCA Input Definition.

Adding an MCA
To add an MCA, select the Add MCA command in the Edit menu. You’ll see the Add
MCAs to Definition Table dialog box.

This typical Add MCA tree view shows the MCAs grouped by MCA type. Clicking on
the ‘+’ next to a MCA type lets you choose a specific MCA.

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Chapter 2 Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

You can add as many MCAs to the definition as are necessary for your system by
highlighting one or more MCAs and clicking the Add button to add them to the MCA
Definition Table. When you’ve finished adding MCAs, click on the Done button.
Deleting an MCA
If you want to remove an MCA that you have added to the definition, you can do it
easily by selecting the table entry you want to delete and then selecting Delete MCA.
From the Delete MCA dialog, click on OK or click twice on the entry in the table to
remove the it.

The selected MCAs entries and connections will be deleted from the MCA Input
Definition Table.

Defining an MCA
Once an MCA has been added to the Input Definition Table, defining the MCA is a two
step process.

• Assigning the devices by using the Devices Menu to tell the system about the
MCA’s front end electronics.

• Setting the Controls by using the Settings Menu to define the settings for the
physical devices selected in the Device Menu.

To begin, click on the MCA entry in the Definition Table that you want to set up.

Figure 2 An MCA Has Been Added to the Table

Interpreting the Definition Entry

As you can see in Definition Table (shown in the above figure), adding MCAs puts
more than just the name of the MCA in the definition table. Note the letter following
the unit number in some of the Definition Table items: M for a manually controlled
unit, and P for a programmable unit.

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 The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor

MCA
This is the type of MCA device being used for this particular entry in the table.

Input
This is the name that will be used to refer to this specific hardware entry in the
table. The MID Editor automatically assigns these names sequentially as DETnn,
starting with nn=01. You can easily edit this assignment to an input name of your
choice.

The rest of the settings are described in further detail in the Genie 2000 Operations
manual.

Device Setup
The Devices menu contains selections to allow defining the physical configuration of
the MCA and front end devices. Some Devices options are disabled (grayed out)
because they do not have any adjustable parameters or may be adjusted later in the
GAA application.

Parameter Settings
The Settings menu contains selections to allow setting the programmable controls of
the MCA and front end devices. Some Settings options are disabled (grayed out)
because they do not have any adjustable parameters. These are described in further
detail by the Genie 2000 Operations manual.

Saving the Input Definition

After completing the definition, use the Editor’s File | Save command to save the
definition so that it can be loaded into the MCA Runtime Configuration Database for
use. See Loading and Unloading Definitions for more information.

To remind you to save a changed definition, you’ll see an asterisk (*) next to the name
of the current definition in the Title Bar.

CAUTION: If you change an existing Input Definition, saving it will

clear the Acquisition Start time. You will be asked to
retain the existing energy calibration information.

The File Descriptor

When a Definition is saved for the first time, the Save As dialog includes a File
Descriptor field which lets you add a 32-character description to your file, making it
easier to locate when you want to use it again.

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Chapter 2 Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

Changing the Summary View

Before going on to see how to edit an existing Input Definition Table, one that you’ve
built previously and saved to disk, there’s one more menu to look at.

The Summary menu has two commands: By MCA and By Input, which change the
order in which the information in the Input Definition Table is displayed. By MCA
means that the first column of the table will display the MCA type that is being used for
each entry. If you choose By Input, the MCA and Input columns will be reversed in the
display and the Inputs will be sorted alphabetically.

You can choose either method, but in the case of systems with a large number of
inputs, By Input is an easier display to understand than By MCA.

Creating a New MCA Definition

If you want to create a totally new MCA Definition, the File menu’s New command
clears the definition table so you can begin a new definition.

Because New is a destructive operation, selecting it will cause the program to ask for a
confirmation in one of two ways:

• If the Definition currently being displayed has not been changed since it was
last saved (no asterisk in the Title Bar), you will be asked if you want to erase
the current Definition. Click on OK to erase it, or Cancel to return to the Input
Definition Editor.

• If the Definition currently being displayed has been changed but not saved,
you will be given a chance to save it.

Editing an MCA Definition

To edit an MCA Definition, use the MID Editor’s File | Open command to select the
file and open it in the editor. All of the menus and commands available for defining an
MCA are also used for editing a definition. Just select the entry you want to change and
apply the commands as before, then Save the Definition file.

Editing a File in the MCA Runtime Configuration Database

If the Definition you want to edit has been loaded into the MCA Runtime
Configuration Database, it must first be unloaded before it can be opened in the editor.
See Unloading the Definition for instructions.

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 The MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor

Viewing the File Details

If you’re not sure which file you want to edit, select a file, then click on the Info button
to see further information about the file.

Figure 3 The File Info Display

The key piece of information here is the File Descriptor, which you added when the
file was first saved along with the File name and type. This should help you decide if
the file you selected is the one you want to edit.

Using MCA Definition Tables

The whole purpose behind building MCA Input Definitions is to let Genie 2000 know
the number and types of MCAs you’ll be using with your system. You do this by
loading one or more MCA Definition Files into the MCA Runtime Configuration
Database.

This database is shared by all of the programs that make up the Genie 2000 software
package, and is used by those programs to gain access to the actual MCA hardware in
your system. In this section we’ll take a look at the procedures used for setting up that
database.

Viewing the Current Database

To view the current contents of the database, click on the Database menu’s View
command, which opens the runtime input definition database. If you click on a line in
the list, you can use the Device and Settings menus to look at details of that definition.
Click on OK to close the View window.

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Chapter 2 Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

Loading and Unloading Definitions

Before you can use a Definition, whether created with the MID Wizard or with the
MID Editor, it must be loaded into the MCA Runtime Configuration Database (as
described in Using MCA Definition Tables).

The Load/Unload functions will be disabled while any Acquisition and Analysis
applications are running and have open datasources. This prevents one user from
altering the runtime database while another user is accessing it.

Wizard Definitions – An MCA Definition created with the MID Wizard will
automatically be loaded into the MCA Runtime Configuration Database when you
finish the definition. You don’t need to do anything more.

Editor Definitions – If you created or edited the MCA Definition with the MID
Editor, you’ll have to manually load the saved file into the database yourself. The next
section tells you how.

Loading the Definition

Use the Load to command to choose the Definition to be added to the database.

Loading Multiple Definitions

Though you will usually use only one definition at a time, there may be times when
you want to load more than one definition. To do this, be sure that the Input name
in each of the Definition Files is unique.

If you try to load an Input Definition which contains a duplicate Input name, you’ll
see an error message telling you that the requested Definition can’t be loaded. A
unique name must be selected.

Unloading the Definition

Though some of the programmable front end controls, such as ADC Gain or Amplifier
Gain, are initially set with the MCA Input Definition Editor, many may also be
adjusted in the Acquisition and Analysis application while you’re collecting data.
These adjustments can be stored in the database (with File | Save), and when you
Unload the database, are saved in an Input Definition File for future sessions.

The Unload Process

To unload a Database, click on the Database menu’s Unload from command. If
several choices are listed, there are multiple definitions in the database.

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 The MID Setup Wizard

Generating the Input Definition Report

The File menu’s Report command always saves the file, but if you click on Yes in the
dialog box, you can print the report as well (to the default printer).

Click on No to save it to a file without printing the report.

The MID Setup Wizard

The MID Wizard helps you set up simple Input Definitions quickly and easily. It
allows you to create a MID definition in a few simple steps and immediately load it
into the runtime database, however there are some selections through the MID Wizard
that are not accessible.

The Wizard does not support:

− Definition of multiplexer (MXR) inputs. This includes devices such as

the Alpha Analyst.

− Configuration of remote VDMs.

By default, the MID Wizard does not include a Sample Changer device into an Input
Definition. Only the MID Editor can include the Sample Changer device into an Input
definition.

If your Input Definition is more complex than the MID Wizard was designed to handle,
you'll have to use the MID Editor to create your definition. It is covered in detail
starting in the MCA Input Definition (MID) Editor starting on page 3.

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Chapter 2 Using the MID Editor / MID Wizard

Using the MID Wizard

To use the MID Wizard, open the Genie 2000 folder and select the MID Wizard
executable file (MidWiz.exe) or from the Start menu select Programs |
GENIE-2000 | MID Setup Wizard to start the definition process. In the first screen,
Step 1 - Select MCA, choose the MCA device you have from the list (shown in the
figure below). Otherwise, you can select the Inspector 2000 simulator, located under
“USB MCAs”. It is advised to name the simulator “Det01”.

Note: At any time you can click Next to proceed to the next screen, click Back to
return to the previous screen or click Cancel to exit the wizard. You can also
access the help topic for each screen by clicking on the Help button.

Figure 4 Selecting the MCA

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 The MID Setup Wizard

Ending the Definition

To complete your Input Definition, select Finish. The input that you just defined will
be stored as an MID file named inputname.MID and is automatically loaded into the
MCA Runtime Configuration Database. When you select Finish, you will be asked if
you would like to define another input. Answering “Yes” will start the Wizard again
and “No” will close the Wizard.

Note that if you didn’t enter an Input Name, you won’t be allowed to exit the Step 3
screen. If the name you entered is the same as the name of an existing MID file, the
system informs you and goes back to Step 3 to let you enter another name.

The Step 7 Mid FileName defaults to UNTITLED, which you’ll probably want to
change to something more meaningful. If the name you enter is the same as that of an
existing MID file, the system will ask if you want to overwrite the existing file.

The following figure shows the summary for the Inspector 2000 simulator.

Figure 5 Summary of the Configuration

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

3. The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

For the procedures covered in this chapter, the Model S500/502/504 Basic
Spectroscopy Software must be running.

This tutorial is intended to be a brief overview of the basic functionality of the Gamma
Spectroscopy Analysis window. The Alpha Spectroscopy Analysis window is very
similar, so Alpha users can benefit from this tutorial as well.

The first step in using your Genie 2000 system is to create at least one MCA Input
Definition (MID) so the system knows what kind of MCA is installed or connected to
your system. This is done using either the Genie MCA Input Definition Editor or the
Mid Setup Wizard.

The next step is to acquire some data to work with. To access the hardware in Genie
you will need to open the datasource that was previously created in the MID Wizard or
MID Editor, where the source for the data can be a Detector or a data file. For this
tutorial, we will open a data file.

How to Open a Datasource

There are two ways to open a datasource:

• Select the menu’s File | Open Datasource command.

• Click the Toolbar’s open datasource icon.

Either way, the Open Datasource dialog box will be displayed.

Figure 6 Opening a Datasource

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 How to View the Data

1. Source: If it is not already highlighted, select the File button.

2. Type: Select CAM File. CAM stands for Configuration Access Method, a type
of data file which contains a spectrum, its Regions of Interest (ROIs), its
calibration information, etc.

3. Read Only: This checkbox should not be checked.

4. Look in: Navigate to C:\GENIE2K\CAMFILES and select Nbsstd.cnf, the

NBS Standard spectrum file.

5. Click Open.

How to View the Data

The name of the datasource you just opened can be seen in the window’s Title Bar, and
the data itself in the window’s Spectral Display area as seen in the following figure.

Figure 7 Typical Gamma Display

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

The Display’s Vertical Full Scale

The spectral display’s Vertical Full Scale (VFS) defaults to Linear Autoranging. That
is, the vertical scale is linear rather than logarithmic, and the smallest VFS which will
contain the tallest peak in the data is automatically picked for you.

The VFS being used is always displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the spectral
display as either VFS=nnnn for a Linear scale or LOG=nnnn for a Logarithmic scale,
where nnnn is the vertical full scale value.

How to Change the Scale Manually

There are several ways to change the Vertical Full Scale by a factor of two (1024,
2048, 4096, etc.):

• Click on the upper or lower part scroll bar at right of the data display.

• Drag the scroll bar’s slider up or down.

• Use the keyboard’s up and down arrow keys. Each press of an arrow key is the
same as clicking once on the corresponding end of the scroll bar.

To toggle between Auto and Manual, press the keyboard’s F5 key.

Linear or Log Mode

There are two ways to change between Linear and Log data display:

• Select the menu’s Display | Scale | Linear or Log command.

• Click one of the Toolbar’s display mode icons.

How to Use the Cursor

Genie 2000 uses two kinds of cursor:

• The mouse cursor.

• The spectrum cursor.

Move the mouse cursor to the middle of the spectrum, hold down the left mouse button
and move the cursor to the left and right. You will see a short vertical bar, the spectrum
cursor, following your mouse’s movement.

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 How to Use the Markers

Moving the Spectrum Cursor

Any time you point and click within the data display, the spectrum cursor will
immediately jump to the channel that corresponds to the horizontal location of the
mouse cursor. In addition, you can also move the spectrum cursor by:

• Dragging it across the data by holding the left mouse button down while you
move the mouse.

• Using the keyboard’s left and right arrow keys to move the spectrum cursor
through the data.

As you move the spectrum cursor, watch the Display Status Line. You’ll see the
information displayed there, the current channel number, its energy, and the number of
counts in that channel, change with the cursor’s movement. The word Idle at the far left
lets you know that no data acquisition is under way.

Figure 8 The Display Status Line

How to Use the Markers

In addition to the spectrum cursor, which is used to examine individual channels of
data, the spectrum also includes a pair of region markers that are used to measure
things like peak areas and centroids. These are initially located on either side of the
first ROI (Region of Interest), if there is one. If there is no ROI, they are at either end of
the full spectrum.

The region markers look like an “upside down L”, with the horizontal part pointing to
the left for the left marker, and right for the right marker. The figure on page 18
illustrates the region markers.

Moving the Region Markers

The region markers can be moved independently by either of two methods:
1. With the mouse: Move the spectrum cursor to the outside edge of the marker
you want to move. When the cursor turns into a vertical bar with an arrow
attached to it (see the figure on page 18), dragging with the mouse will move
the region marker.

2. From the keyboard: First, use the keypad’s arrow keys to move the spectrum
cursor to the new location for a region marker. Press CTRL+L for the Left
marker or CTRL+R for the Right marker and the selected marker will jump to
the cursor location.

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

In addition, a keyboard command, CTRL+M, is available to the markers from where

ever they happen to be in the Reference (lower) Spectrum to the edges of the Expanded
Spectrum. The Expand Mode is covered in detail in How to Expand the Display on
page 19.

While the region markers can be moved individually, we’ve found the following to be
the easiest way to quickly place the markers on either side of a peak of interest when
the markers are close together:

1. Move the mouse cursor (not the spectrum cursor) to the region markers. When
it reaches a marker, it will change into a vertical bar with an arrow attached to
it. Dragging the mouse will move that marker.

The following figure shows the mouse cursor on the left (with an arrow), the
two region markers and the spectrum cursor, the vertical line at the top of the
peak.

Figure 9 The Mouse Cursor, the Two Region Markers, and the Spectrum Cursor

2. When the mouse cursor has a left-pointing arrow, it means that you have
selected the left marker for movement. Similarly, a right-pointing arrow
affects only the right marker.

3. Drag the left marker toward the right until it is just to the right of the peak you
want to analyze. You’ll notice that both markers will move together when you
do this, because the left marker will “push” the right marker along in front of it.

4. Now drag the left marker back to the left until it is at the left edge of the region
you want to analyze. When you do that, the right marker will stay where it was;
the markers are now bracketing the region.

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 How to Add, Use and Delete ROIs

How to Add, Use and Delete ROIs

Since Genie 2000 has the ability to create and use Regions of Interest (ROIs), let’s take
a look at them.

A region of interest is a user-defined area of the spectrum which contains data of

particular interest such as a peak.

Creating an ROI
In the previous section, you moved the markers so that they would bracket a peak,
which is the first step in creating an ROI. The second step is to press the keyboard’s
INSERT key to create an ROI between the two markers.

Using the ROIs

When there are ROIs in your spectrum, you can quickly move the markers to the region
you want to examine by:

• Clicking one of the Control Panel’s ROI Index buttons. The (+) button moves
one ROI to the right and the (–) button moves one ROI to the left.

• Using the keypad’s (+) and (–) keys.

• Clicking one of the ROI Index buttons in the Toolbar.

Deleting an ROI
Deleting an ROI is just as easy as entering one. Just Index the markers to the ROI you
want to remove, then press the keyboard’s DELETE key.

How to Expand the Display

To create ROIs accurately, you really need to take a closer look at the data, and for that,
we use the expand mode.

Turning Expand On and Off

There are three ways to turn the expand mode on:

• Click on the Control Panel’s Expand On button.

• Press the F8 key on the keyboard.

• Click the Toolbar’s expand icon.

The result will be a display like the one in the following figure. The Reference
Spectrum, the lower half of the display, contains the full spectrum and the Expanded
Region, the upper half of the display, shows the expanded data.

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

Turning the expand mode on changes the button’s name to Expand Off, so the next
time you click on it (or press F8), the display will change back to normal.

Figure 10 Expand Has Been Turned On

The Expand Rectangle

At the spectrum cursor’s location in the Reference Spectrum, you’ll see a large
rectangle in the spectrum (shown in the figure above). What you see in the Expanded
Region is the data within the rectangle.

Moving the Rectangle

To view a different portion of the Reference Spectrum in the Expanded Region, all you
have to do is move the rectangle to a new section of the data. To do that:

1. Move the mouse cursor into the rectangle; it will change into the four-headed

arrow shown inside the Expand Rectangle.

2. Press the left mouse button and drag the rectangle to the new location. The
Expanded Region will track the movement so you can view the data as the
Expand Rectangle is moved.

Viewing the Data in ROIs

You can to move to and examine the ROIs in the Expanded Display by using any of the
methods described in How to Add, Use and Delete ROIs on page 19.

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 How to Expand the Display

Changing the Size of the Rectangle

To change the amount of data shown in the Expanded Region all you have to do is
change the size and shape of the rectangle. This is done by stretching or shrinking the
rectangle.

To change one side of the rectangle:

1. Move the mouse cursor to the side you want to change until it changes into a
horizontal or vertical double-headed arrow (see the following figure).

2. Click and drag the side to the new position.

Figure 11 Stretching the Expanded Spectrum

To change two adjacent sides at the same time:

1. Move the mouse cursor to any corner of the rectangle until it changes into a
diagonal double-headed arrow.

2. Click and drag with the mouse, which moves the rectangle’s corner, changing
the size of the rectangle in two directions at once.

Using either of these two methods, you can change the size and shape until the data you
want to view is displayed in the Expanded Region.

Using the Expanded Region

The spectrum cursor, the markers, and adding and clearing ROIs all work in the usual
way in the Expanded Region, allowing you to examine individual data channels and
“fine tune” your ROI locations. When you have finished working with the expanded
display, click Expand Off and you’ll be ready to continue.

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

Labeling the Peaks

When the spectrum is calibrated, select Display | Preferences. On the left side of
the Display Preferences dialog, check the “Display Nuclide ID on Spectrum” and
“Display Peak Information” checkboxes.

Figure 12 The Display Preference Dialog

This will add two kinds of peak information to the spectral display: Peak Labels,
identifying the nuclide for each peak, and a Peak Information Bubble for the current
peak, listing the peak’s: Nuclide ID, Energy, Net Area with percent error and the
nuclide’s Activity (optional).

Figure 13 Nuclide IDs and Co-60 Peak Information

Note: The nuclide information will only be displayed after an analysis to identify
nuclides in the spectrum has been executed. The stored NBSSTD.CNF file
with the Genie 2000 has this analysis performed from install.

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 How to Describe the Data

How to Describe the Data

When you’ve acquired a spectrum, the next step is to enter some descriptive
information before saving it for later analysis.

Editing the Sample Information

There are two ways to open the Sample Information dialog box:

• Select the menu’s Edit | Sample info command.

• Click the Toolbar’s edit sample information icon.

The Sample Information editor lets you add a description of the sample to the data file.
Note this information does not have to be entered at this time; it can be added at
analysis time.

Figure 14 Editing Sample Information

Many of the fields in this dialog box are for descriptive purposes only. That is, the text
you type in is stored with the data and will be included with the analysis reports to
provide a better description of the sample.

You can also enter information in the sample Quantity, Uncertainty, Units, Sample
Geometry, percent Random Error and percent Systematic Error fields, all of which are
used during sample analysis. Their use is beyond the scope of this tutorial; for
complete information, refer to “The Information Fields” section in the Genie 2000
Operations or Alpha Analysis Manual.

The Sample Date indicates the time that the sample was acquired, and during analysis
the activity will be decay-corrected to this date and time.

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Chapter 3 The Basic Genie 2000 Operations

Viewing the Sample Information

To see the Sample Information for the current datasource, click on the Next button in
the window’s Status Page area until the SAMPLE INFO page appears. You’ll find a
summary of the information you’ve entered displayed there.

If the Sample Info page is not available, you can enable it through the Display |
Preferences menu selection.

How to Save the Data

Configuration datasources store spectral and related parameter data. Since the types of
data that need to go into a configuration are quite varied, CANBERRA has designed a
flexible, general-purpose system for defining the format of and the access to the data.
This system is called the Configuration Access Method (CAM). All spectral data
used by Genie 2000 is stored in a file of this type.
There are three ways to save the data and its description:

• Select either the menu’s File | Save command or the Toolbar’s save icon

, which will save directly to an existing file.

• If there is no existing file, you’ll see the “Save as” dialog box shown below,
which lets you save to a new file name

• Select the menu’s File | Save As command. You’ll see the “Save as” dialog
box.

Figure 15 The Save As Dialog

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 How to Save the Data

Description
For CAM files, you can enter an optional description of up to 32 characters, making it
easier to identify this data file at a later date.
Save as Type
Use the default file type: CAM Files (*.CNF).
File Name
All you need to do is type in the file’s name. The dot and the extension (file type) will
be automatically added by Genie 2000 when you click Save.

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Chapter 4 Basic Energy Calibration Techniques

4. Basic Energy Calibration Techniques

Energy calibration establishes a linear or polynomial relationship between the
spectrum’s channels and their energy levels. By calibrating two peaks, one at each end
of the spectrum, the energy of any other peak can be estimated fairly accurately.

Though Genie 2000 Spectroscopy Analysis includes several methods for Energy
Calibrating a spectrum, we’ll use only one of these methods in the tutorial.

Calibration Setup
Before we create a new energy calibration, we’ll take a look at a system-wide
parameter used in energy calibration. Select Calibrate | Setup to see the Calibration
Setup screen.

You can see two Tolerance parameters in the upper right corner of the window. The
first parameter, Energy Cal, is used in Energy Calibration, discussed below; the second
parameter, Eff Match, is used in Efficiency Calibration. Refer to Basic Efficiency
Calibration Techniques on page 30 for more information.

Figure 16 Calibration Setup

Energy Cal Tolerance

During energy calibration, the spectrum’s peaks are matched with the energies
specified in the selected certificate file, plus or minus this tolerance value. The default
value of 1.50 keV means that if a spectrum’s peak is within 1.50 keV of a matching
energy in the certificate file, the peak will be associated with the energy in the
certificate file.

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 How to Create a New Energy Calibration

If you use a higher value, more of the spectrum’s peaks will be seen, which could lead
to false peaks being accepted. On the other hand, using a lower value may cause valid
peaks to be overlooked. Determining the best setting for a given spectrum is beyond
the scope of this tutorial, so we’ll leave the parameter set to its default value. It is
important to note that the appropriate value for this parameter will change depending
on the type of detector you are working with, i.e., NaI vs Germanium.

How to Create a New Energy Calibration

To create a new Energy Calibration, we’ll look at calibration by Certificate File. A
mixed radionuclide calibration source includes a certificate that defines the source’s
radionuclides, their peak energies, the calibrated activity for each, and so forth. A
Certificate File is this information stored in a computer file with the extension *.CTF.

• For details on the other Energy Calibration methods, refer to the Calibrate
Menu options “Energy Only Calibration”, “Energy Coefficients”, and “Energy
Full” located in the Gamma Acquisition and Analysis chapter of the Genie
2000 Operations Manual or in the Calibrate Menu section of the Alpha
Analysis Manual.

• For information on how Certificate Files are created and maintained, refer to
the Using the Certificate File Editor chapter in your Genie 2000 Operations
Manual.

Starting the Calibration

Since we’ve already opened a datasource, we’ll calibrate its spectrum by enter peak
locations and their corresponding energies.

1. Click on Calibrate | Energy Full | By Certificate File.

2. In the Open Certificate File box, double click on Nbsstd.ctf.

The energies of the nuclide lines in the certificate file will be loaded into the calibration
list for you.

Figure 17 The Energy Calibration - Full Dialog

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Chapter 4 Basic Energy Calibration Techniques

To establish an energy calibration, we have to locate at least two of the datasource’s

peaks, one at the low end of the spectrum and one at the high end, which correspond to
the energy of the entries in the calibration file, ±1.50 keV, the Energy Calibration
Tolerance value.

Refer to How to Open a Datasource on page 14 for instructions on how to open a

datasource.

Entering the Peak Locations

The first energy line in the Energy Calibration - Full Dialog is 88.04, which is the line
for 109Cd. To associate this line with the peak in the spectrum, place the spectrum
cursor on the 88 keV peak at the low end of the spectrum, then click the Cursor button
to add the cursor’s channel position to the Channel column. The FWHM and Low Tail
values will be calculated and added to the list.

Now scroll down the list to the 1836 line (88Y), place the spectrum cursor on the 88Y
peak at the high end of the spectrum, then click the Cursor button to add the cursor’s
channel position.

Viewing the Energy Calibration

To view the new calibration, click the Show button to see the Energy Calibration
Curves display in the figure below.

Figure 18 A Two-Point Energy Calibration Graph

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 How to Create a New Energy Calibration

Below the graph, you’ll see the Datasource’s file name and the equation’s values for
Energy, FWHM and Low Tail.

The shape calibration is also being generated, using the FWHM and Low Tail values.
Select the Shape radio button to view these curves. While two points is all that is
required to create and Energy and Shape calibration, it is recommended to use as many
reliable peaks as you have available.

To return to the Energy Calibration screen, click OK or Cancel.

Accepting the Energy Calibration

When you are satisfied with the calibration, click OK to have this calibration become
your current calibration.

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Chapter 5 Basic Efficiency Calibration Techniques

5. Basic Efficiency Calibration Techniques

An efficiency calibration will allow you to associate a spectrum’s count rate with
nuclide activity. Put very simply, a detector’s efficiency changes at different values of
gamma-ray energy. In addition, the geometry of the sample in relation to the detector
will dramatically affect the measurement efficiency. The efficiency calibration allows
us to compensate for these changes.

Assuming you have gone through the procedures on Energy Calibration and the use of
Certificate Files, you’ll find Efficiency Calibration to be a similar process. Similarly,
we will discuss only one of several different methods to perform an efficiency
calibration in this section.

To create an efficiency calibration, your spectrum must be energy calibrated. If you

haven’t done that yet, go back and follow the procedure in How to Create a New
Energy Calibration on page 27.

Eff Match Tolerance

The Efficiency Match Tolerance (Eff Match) parameter is used during efficiency
calibration to match calculated peaks with the peaks in the specified certificate file,
plus or minus the specified tolerance value.

Figure 19 Calibration Setup

The default value of 1.00 keV means that if a spectrum’s peak is within 1.00 keV of a
matching energy in the certificate file, it will be accepted as valid.

If you use a higher value, more of the spectrum’s peaks will be seen, which could lead
to false peaks being accepted. On the other hand, using a lower value may cause valid
peaks to be overlooked. Determining the best setting for a given spectrum is beyond
the scope of this tutorial, so we will leave the parameter set to its default value.

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 How to Create a New Efficiency Calibration

How to Create a New Efficiency Calibration

To create a new Efficiency Calibration, we’ll use calibration by Certificate File, which
is similar to the Energy Calibration by Certificate File process.

• For details on the other Efficiency Calibration methods, refer to the Calibrate
Menu's Efficiency option located in the Gamma Acquisition and Analysis
chapter of the Genie 2000 Operations Manual or in the Calibrate Menu
section of the Alpha Analysis Manual.

• For information on how Certificate Files are created and maintained, refer to
the Using the Certificate File Editor chapter in your Genie 2000 Operations
Manual.

During the efficiency calibration by certification file process, we will be associating a

spectrum acquired with a known source in a particular geometry with the certificate of
the source to determine the efficiency for this geometry. This will allow us to
determine the activity for an unknown sample in the same geometry in future
measurements.

Starting the Calibration

To calibrate the spectrum, we have to entering their energies and their corresponding
efficiencies and uncertainties.

1. Click on Calibrate | Efficiency | By Certificate File.

2. In the Open Certificate File box, double click on Nbsstd.ctf (the same
Certificate File we used in Energy Calibration).

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Chapter 5 Basic Efficiency Calibration Techniques

The energy lines in this file will populate the list box, as shown in Efficiency
Calibration Dialog.

Figure 20 Efficiency Calibration

Adding the Efficiency Data

The next step is to add efficiency and percent error values to each energy in the list.
There are two ways to do this:

• If you know that the current datasource contains peak area analysis results, you
can click the Use-results button to populate the list box with that data. If
you’re not sure whether the current datasource contains peak area data, you’ll
have to use the second method.

• Click the Auto button to have the system automatically perform a Peak Locate
and Peak Area analysis, then calculate and display the efficiency and percent
error values for each energy in the list box. This method will use other
parameters defined in the Calibrate Setup screen, including the Continuum
selections.

With either method, for each peak found that matches one in the list box, ±1.00 keV,
the Efficiency Match Tolerance value, an efficiency is calculated based on the peak net
area and the calibration data contained in the Certificate File.

Dual Polynomial Curve

For the dual polynomial curve, the overall Efficiency Curve can be a combination of
two curves, one for the lower energies and a second for the higher energies (above
150–200 keV or so).

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 How to Create a New Efficiency Calibration

To use two curves, highlight an energy, then click the Cross-over button to specify
the point where you want the low energy curve to end and the high energy curve to
start. If no crossover point is specified, a single equation is used across the entire
energy range.

1. Click on the 165.85 keV line in the list to select it.

2. Click the Cross-over button to put an X to the right of the peak in the list.
This will mark it as the energy used as the crossover point.

Peak Edits
The Peak Edits section lets you enter or change the Energy, Efficiency, and Error
(%) data by hand. You can use up to 45 calibration triplets; any more than that will be
ignored. The Accept button verifies the entered values and displays them in the list
box; the Delete button deletes the highlighted entry from the list box.

Cascade Correction
The Cascade Correction function, which is enabled only under certain conditions,
produces an efficiency calibration that is free from cascade summing effects. Its use is
beyond the scope of this tutorial. You will find a full description of this function in the
Correcting for Cascade Summing appendix of the Genie 2000 Operations Manual.

Viewing the Efficiency Calibration

To check the results of the Efficiency Calibration, click on the Show button, which
will display the dual efficiency curves and the fit to the data points.

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Chapter 5 Basic Efficiency Calibration Techniques

The Dual Energy Curves

For the Dual Energy Curve, the low energy curve, a second order equation, is shown in
red at the bottom of the screen; the high energy curve, a fourth order equation, is shown
in blue. The two share the data point at 165.85 keV to ensure continuity from one curve
to the other.

Figure 21 Show Efficiency Calibration

In addition to the default Dual Curve, you can display the calibration as an Empirical
Curve, a Linear Curve or an Interpolated Curve by selecting the appropriate button in
the Curve section of the data window. The order of these polynomials can be adjusted
in this screen to create a good fit.

To return to the Efficiency Calibration screen, click OK or Cancel.

Accepting the Efficiency Calibration

When you are satisfied with the calibration, click OK to have this calibration become
your current calibration.

Saving the Efficiency Calibration for Later Use

To store this efficiency calibration for use with another spectrum, you can save this file
as a *.CAL file. To do this, select Store from the Calibrate menu and give it a
meaningful name. Then, you can select Efficiency | Calibrate by Calibration
File... during a future measurement and select this file. This will load the efficiency
calibration you have just made.

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 What Are Analysis Modules?

6. Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

Now that we have a calibrated system let’s look at Genie 2000’s analysis and reporting
routines. We’ll also find that the reports generated by the basic routines can include the
calibration used during the analysis.

What Are Analysis Modules?

Before we discuss the analysis modules, such as peak locate and area analyses, we’ll
examine the philosophy behind them.

All of the Genie 2000 analyses use modules: programs that take one data set – such as
spectral data – perform a process on it, then output the results – such as peak centroid
locations. Depending on the options installed on your system, you’ll find modules for
functions like Peak Location, Peak Area Calculation and Nuclide Identification.

All of these modules share the following general features:

• All look to the datasource for their primary input data. They may also
reference libraries, certificate files, or geometry files.

• All (with few exceptions) place their results back into the datasource so other
modules can use that data. For example, the output from the Peak Location
Module – Peak Centroids – is used as input data by the Peak Net Area and
Nuclide ID Modules. Their outputs, in turn, are used as inputs to other
modules.

• None, with the one exception, are capable of generating a printed report; all
they can do is get data from a datasource, process it, and send results back to
that datasource. However, all the module setup screens have a Generate Report
check box option that will run the Report Module after its analysis is complete
to automatically generate a report for that module.

• One exception is the Report Module. It doesn’t analyze data; it uses the data
generated by the other modules to create a report.

• If S505 Quality Assurance is installed, data can also be transferred to a QA file

for trending on multiple analyses.

These modules can be run interactively, as demonstrated in the next section, or stored
as an Analysis Sequence File (ASF) that lets you automatically implement a sequence
of analysis modules as discussed in How to Execute an Analysis Sequence on page 39.

How Are the Modules Used?

The modules are the building blocks from which you create analysis procedures. For
example, consider the following spectroscopy questions.

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Chapter 6 Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

• Is Nuclide ‘X’ present in my spectrum?

For this, you would use the Peak Locate Module, the Peak Area Module, the
Efficiency Correction Module, the Nuclide ID Module, and the Report
Module.

• Several days (weeks, months) later you’re asked “Since Nuclide X did
not appear to be present, what was its Minimum Detectable Activity
(MDA)?”.
The results from step 1 were stored in the datasource with the data, so all you
have to do is apply the MDA Module to the datasource and run the Report
Module again.

• Are you sure that’s right? What calibration did you use?
Since the calibration equations are also stored in the datasource, all you need to
do is use the Report Module to generate a Calibration Report.

In short, by running the modules you need in the order you need them, you can easily
tailor your analyses to answer your questions. In addition, as you’ll see in How to Edit
an Analysis Sequence on page 40, a module’s parameters can easily be modified to
refine the results.

As we just learned, performing an analysis consists of running a series of analysis

modules one after the other, then generating a report. This sequence of events can be
stored as an Analysis Sequence File (ASF). Executing the ASF file automatically
performs the stored sequence of events.

Depending on which modules you use and how you modify them, you might have
several automatic analysis sequences for various types of analyses.

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 How to Execute a Module Interactively

How to Execute a Module Interactively

Before you start defining your own custom analysis sequences, you might ask, “How
do I know just which steps to use and which parameters must be modified to get a
particular job done?”

For this, we’ll look at an individual module, which you can interactively modify and
execute so you can see just what their impact will be. We’ll see how this works by
modifying the Peak Locate module.

Locating the Peaks

You can run the Peak Locate module interactively by selecting Analyze | Peak
Locate | Unidentified 2nd Diff. You’ll see the Peak Locate Unidentified 2nd Diff.
Setup dialog box.

Figure 22 The Peak Locate Module

The Significance Threshold

The Significance Threshold determines how large a peak must be (relative to the
background) to be recognized as a peak. For instance, if the Threshold is set to 5.00, as
in the figure, running the Peak Locate module will result in 26 peaks being found in the
Nbsstd.cnf spectrum.

To see the effects of a higher setting (less sensitivity), change the Significance
Threshold value to 12.00, check the Generate Report checkbox, then click on
Execute. When you look at the results in the Report Window, you will see that a
higher threshold (12.00) results in a lower sensitivity: only 17 peaks have been found,
nine less than with a Threshold setting of 5.00.

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Chapter 6 Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

Figure 23 Threshold Set to 12

Each of the modules on the Analyze menu do functions on the spectrum, and in general
must be performed in order. Under each heading, there are a selection of algorithms to
choose from. These are described in detail in the Genie 2000 Customization Tools
Manual.

The Report Window Option

This is a good time to take a look at the Report Window options. There are commands
to copy the data to the clipboard, to clear the data from the window, and to change the
size of the window for easier report viewing.

Clearing the Report Window

You’ll have to clear the Report Window if you want to display the next report’s data by
itself. If you don’t clear the Report Window, the next report will be appended to the
current report.

There are two ways to clear the window:

• Select the menu’s Options | Report Window | Clear Contents

command.

• Click the Toolbar’s clear report icon.

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 How to Execute an Analysis Sequence

Creating a Printed Report

There are two ways to create a printed record of this report:

• Select the menu’s File | Print Report Window command.

• Click the Toolbar’s print report icon.

The above options will send the report to your computer's default printer. You may also
select Export Report to PDF under the File menu, which will create a PDF file of
the report in a location of your choice.

How to Execute an Analysis Sequence

As we’ll see in How to Edit an Analysis Sequence on page 40, Genie 2000 includes an
editor both for changing a module’s parameters and for custom-assembling the
analysis modules into any type of sequence you may need.

In addition, your custom sequences can be added to the Analyze Menu, allowing you to
tailor your system’s automatic analysis to your specific application needs.

To gain an understanding of what an analysis sequence can do, we’ll examine a

sequence that’s included with Genie 2000. It automatically executes three analysis
modules in a specified order.

When you select Analyze | Execute Sequence, you’ll see a list of the sequences
installed on your system (see the following figure).

Remember that this tutorial assumes that the Model S501 Gamma Analysis option is
installed on your system, so the list in the figure below includes the option’s sequences,
as well as those for the Basic Spectroscopy software.

To use any sequence, there must be a spectrum in the Gamma window. If a spectrum is
not displayed, open C:\GENIE2K\CAMFILES\Nbsstd.cnf.

Figure 24 Execute Sequence Menu

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Chapter 6 Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

Running the Peak Analysis w/Report Sequence

The fourth sequence in the list, Peak Analysis w/Report, runs four modules, or steps,
sequentially. To run the sequence, click on Analyze | Execute Sequence | Peak
Analysis w/Report.

The Report Window will display a report of the Peak Analysis of the spectrum (at the
bottom of the following figure).

Figure 25 A Peak Analysis Report

How to Edit an Analysis Sequence

If the standard Peak Analysis sequence is not quite what you want, you can edit it. You
can even define entirely new sequences. To open the Analysis Sequence Editor, select
Edit | Analysis Sequence. You’ll see the Edit Analysis Sequence dialog box.

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 How to Edit an Analysis Sequence

Figure 26 The Edit Analysis Sequence Dialog

As an example of how to use this editor, we will modify the standard Peak Analysis
w/Report sequence to make it less sensitive, just as we did interactively.

Load the Sequence

To select the sequence to be edited, click on the Load button. You’ll see the Load
Analysis Sequence dialog box, which lets you pick the sequence to be loaded into the
editor.

Figure 27 Loading a Sequence

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Chapter 6 Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

The Seq. Descriptions list, in the previous figure, shows all of the Sequences in the
Analyze Menu. The one we want to change is “Peak Analysis w/Report”. Double click
on its name to load its steps into the Edit Analysis Sequence window’s Current Steps
list, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 28 Editing the Peak Report Sequence

In the Current Steps window, you’ll see the four steps in this sequence:

• Reporting – Standard

• Peak Locate – Unidentified 2nd Difference

• Peak Area – Sum/Non-linear LSQ Fit

• Reporting – Standard.

The report module is run twice because each instance uses a different section of the
Analysis template to create its part of the report. When the first instance runs, the report
Header is created. When the second instance runs, the Peak Analysis report is sent to
the Report Window.

The second step in the sequence is the Peak Locate module we ran interactively. Since
we already know how to use this module interactively, we will use it again as to see
how it can be modified and run in a sequence.

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 How to Edit an Analysis Sequence

Modify the Peak Locate Step

To modify the step’s parameters, double click on Peak Locate – Unidentified 2nd
Diff in the Current Steps list to open the Peak Locate Setup dialog.

Since we want to change the sensitivity, we will edit the “Significance Threshold”
parameter to show 12.00 as the new value, as we did for the interactive version. When
you’re finished, click on OK to return to the Edit Analysis Sequence dialog box.

Figure 29 Modifying Peak Locate

Store the Modified Sequence

You have two options here: Save the changes to the original ASF file or save the
changes to a new ASF file.

Saving to the Original File

To save the changed Significance Threshold value to the original file:
1. Click the Edit Analysis Sequence screen’s Store button. You will see the
Store Analysis Sequence dialog box.

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Chapter 6 Basic Spectroscopy Analysis Techniques

2. Click OK to save the changed definition.

Figure 30 Storing the Modified Sequence

3. Since you are writing back to the original file, a confirmation box will appear
to confirm overwriting the existing file. Click Yes to complete saving the file.

Saving to a New File

To save the changed Significance Threshold value to a new file:

1. Click the Edit Analysis Sequence screen’s Store button.

2. Type a new file name, such as Peak_NEW, in the File name text box.

Figure 31 Renaming the Modified Sequence

3. Type a new description in the Seq. Description box. Since this description will
be the sequence’s name in your Execute Sequence Menu, it should be both
meaningful and fairly short. For this example, the revised sequence has been
named Peak Analysis w/Less Sensitivity.

4. After you have completed your entries, click on OK to save the definition.

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 Creating Your Own Sequence

Using the procedures we have just covered, you can create any number of custom
sequences or edit existing sequences. For further information on defining a sequence,
refer to the “Edit Menu | Analysis Sequence” section of the Genie 2000 Operations
Manual and Alpha Analysis Manual.

Use the Modified Sequence

To use the new definition file, click on OK in the Edit Analysis Sequence dialog
box to close it, then click on Analyze | Execute Sequence in the Menu Bar. Your
new sequence will be at the end of the list.

Figure 32 New Execute Sequence

Creating Your Own Sequence

Creating a sequence isn’t any more complicated than modifying the parameters of the
Peak Locate – Unidentified 2nd Difference step. The only difference is that you’ll be
modifying the parameters of several modules instead of just one.

Of course, it’ll take a little study to determine which modules will be best for your
sequence. You’ll find that referring to either of the following documents will be very
useful for that study.

All of the modules are fully described in the “Analyze Menu” section of the Genie
2000 Operations Manual and Alpha Analysis Manual. The algorithms behind the
modules are described in detail in the Genie 2000 Customization Tools Manual.

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

7. LabSOCS Training Course

LabSOCS is a practical gamma spectrometry tool that enables you to perform
laboratory quality efficiency calibrations mathematically [i.e., without the need for a
calibration standard]. This section offers a basic training course in using LabSOCS
software to perform efficiency calibrations. An example has been chosen to represent a
typical measurement situation that LabSOCS users are likely to encounter, taking you
through the process of creating the efficiency calibrations, step by step. The example
includes a detailed geometry drawing, screen shots of its template and of the example’s
resulting efficiency calibration curve.

Note: You must install model S574 LabSOCS on your system to complete this
training course.

Example: Simplified Beaker

Let’s start by assuming one wishes to count 100 ml of water in a 125 ml wide mouth
Nalgene bottle. If we assume the bottle can be modeled as a right circular cylinder with
a flat bottom, then a simple [approximate] LABSOCS model can be created using the
Simplified Beaker template.

The [approximate] dimensions of a 125 ml wide mouth Nalgene bottle are as follows:

Height of bottle = 68.5 mm

Wall thicknes = 1 mm

Outside diameter = 50 mm

Inside diameter = 48 mm

Inside Radius (R) = 2.4 cm

As we shall see, the size of the sample can be entered either as a volume or a fill height
(H):

Sample Volume = 100 ml = 100 cm3 = mR2 • H

100cm3 100cm3
H= = = 5.526213cm ≈ 55.262mm
mR 2 m (2.4)2

Fill height of sample ≈ 55.262 mm

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

Note that this fill height is approximate as this number has been rounded. The
Geometry Composer performs a similar calculation when the sample size is entered as
a volume and will [as we shall see in step 8] issue a warning that there is a loss of
precision due to this rounding.

1. Start by launching GENIE 2000 and opening a datasource as shown.

Figure 33 Genie 2000 with datasource NBSSTD.CNF open

2. Select the Options | Geometry Composer menu option. The Geometry

Composer main window will appear as shown.

Note: A ‘Tip of the Day’ screen may appear over the main window.
Acknowledge this screen by clicking Close.

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

Figure 34 Geometry Composer Main Window

3. Select File | New to create a new geometry.

4. The Select Template window will appear. Select the LabSOCS button and
then “Simplified Beaker” from the LabSOCS list. The window should appear
as shown. When done click OK.

Note: The ISOCS radio button will be grayed out if S573 is not installed.

Figure 35 Selecting the Simplified Beaker from the list of templates

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

5. The Select Detector window will appear on top of the Geometry Composer's
main screen. Select “LabSOCS” from the drop down list for Body style, and
the specific detector characterization that corresponds to the detector you will
use for your measurement (i.e., the detector you intend to use to make this
measurement). In this case, select the “Dia=60mm_Coaxial” from the list of
detectors. When done click OK. The figure below shows the window only.

Figure 36 Selecting the LabSOCS Style 60 mm Planar Detector

6. The Edit Dimensions – Simplified Beaker window will now appear on top of
the Geometry Composer's main screen. The figure below shows the window
only.

Figure 37 Edit Dimensions - Simplified Beaker window as it initially appears

7. Click on the View Drawing button to view the template drawing. The drawing
shows the meaning of each dimension parameter for the box. Enter the
parameters previously determined as follows:

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

Wall thickness = dimension 1.1 = 1 mm – Polyprop

Inside diameter (bottom) = dimension 1.2 = 48 mm

Inside diameter (top) = dimension 1.3 = 48 mm

Height of beaker = dimension 1.4 = 68.5 mm

Fill Height of sample = dimension 2.1 = leave blank for now and select
Volume to enter the volume amount.

Volume of sample = dimension 2. = 100 ml – Water

Absorber 1 = dimension 3.1 = 0

Absorber 2 = dimension 4.1 = 0

Source-Detector Distance = dimension 5.1 = 0

[The bottle is sitting directly on the face of the detector can – hence no
absorbers and the distance is zero.]

When all of the data has been entered, the screen should appear as shown.

Figure 38 Edit Dimensions - Simplified Beaker window when completed

When completed, click OK. Since the sample size was entered as a volume (as
opposed to a fill height) that produced a fill height that had to be rounded
(55.262 vs 55.26213…).

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

8. Acknowledge the warning by clicking OK. A graphic of the geometry will

appear in the main window as shown. Note the view has been modified to
allow easier viewing of the detector and source. You can use combinations of
the mouse, Shift key, and Control key to rotate, zoom, and pan the display to
better view your geometry.

Figure 39 The Geometry Composer Main window with graphic of Example 1

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

9. Select the energies at which the efficiencies are to be calculated by clicking

Edit | Efficiency Curve | Parameters. The Efficiency Parameters window
will appear as shown.

Figure 40 The Efficiency Parameters window shows the energies at which the
efficiency will be calculated

10. From this screen you can either edit the energy list or load an energy list from
a file by:

a. Click the Load from File button to display the Open dialog as shown.

Figure 41 Selecting an energy list file to open

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

b. Select the file that contains the desired energy list. The energy list should
be consistent with the intended sample measurement. If you are looking
for low energy events, be sure to have more data points in the lower energy
range. Conversely, if you are measuring for NORM materials, making
sure you have data points spanning to 3 MeV is recommended.

c. The Efficiency Parameters window will again appear - this time with the
new list of energies from the selected energy list file - as shown.

Figure 42 The Efficiency Parameters window after loading the Wide Energy.txt File

When satisfied with the energy list, click OK. You will be returned to the main
Geometry Composer window.

11. Click the icon or select the Edit | Efficiency Curve | Validate
Geometry menu option to validate the geometry. The message in the figure
below should appear. Click OK to continue.

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

12. On the main window, click the icon or select the File | Save As menu
option to save the file. Save the file in the default folder with the name:
Example_1_Simplified_Beaker.geo.

13. Click the icon or select the Edit | Efficiency Curve | Generate data
point menu option. The ISOCS Efficiency Calibration Calculation window
should briefly appear while the calculation is running. It will disappear upon
completion, and will be replaced with a message “Efficiency data points have
been generated: ....”. Click OK to continue.

Note that the file path may be different depending on the where the Geometry
Composer and Genie2k are installed.

This image cannot currently be displayed.

Figure 43 TheEfficiency Calculations Window

14. Exit the Geometry Composer by selecting File | Exit to return to Genie.

15. Perform an efficiency calibration using the Energy - Efficiency - Uncertainty

triplets that were generated in step 14 as follows:

a. Select the Calibrate | Efficiency | By ISOCS/LabSOCS menu option.

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Select Input File screen will now

appear as shown. Note that the file shown in the drop down list may be
different.

Figure 44 Selecting the Input File

b. Click the Select button. An Open screen will now appear. Navigate to the
file specified.

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

c. Click the Open button. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Select Input

File screen will display the name of the file containing the LabSOCS
results computed above. Click the Next button.

Figure 45 Example_1_Simpified_Beaker Calibration File Selected

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 Example: Simplified Beaker

d. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Select Efficiency Option screen will

appear as shown. Next select the type of calibration and analysis – total
activity, activity per unit volume, or activity per unit mass – that is desired.
Use “Efficiency” per unit (total activity), then click on Next.

Figure 46 Selecting the Efficiency Option

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Chapter 7 LabSOCS Training Course

e. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Efficiency Results screen will appear

as shown. This screen displays the results of the calibration numerically.

Figure 47 Showing the Efficiency Results

f. At this point it is only necessary to finish the calibration to have it be

applied to the current spectrum. The efficiency information can also be
Stored into a calibration file for use with other spectrum, if desired.

Click the Finish button. The Calibration is now saved to the spectrum stored and
ready to be used. It is recommended to use Interpolated during the efficiency
correction step for results with ISOCS or LabSOCS efficiency calibrations.

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 Example: Simple Box

8. ISOCS Training Course

The In Situ Object Counting System (ISOCS) is a practical gamma spectrometry tool
that enables you to perform laboratory quality efficiency calibrations, while being out
in the field. This section offers a basic training course in using ISOCS software to
perform efficiency calibrations. An example has been chosen to represent typical
measurement situations that ISOCS users are likely to encounter, taking you through
the process of creating the efficiency calibrations, step by step. The example includes a
detailed geometry drawing, and screen shots of its template and of the example’s
resulting efficiency calibration curve.

Note: You must install model S573 ISOCS on your system to complete this training
course.

Example: Simple Box

Let’s start by assuming that we are measuring a B-25 box that is approximately 3/4 full
of dirt. A simple ISOCS model can be created using the Simple Box template. The
dimensions of the box are shown in the following template drawing.

Figure 48 Template Drawing for Example 1

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

1. Start by launching GENIE 2000 and opening a datasource as shown.

Figure 49 Genie 2000 with datasource NBSSTD.CNF opened

2. Select the Options | Geometry Composer menu option. The Geometry

Composer main window will appear as shown.

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 Example: Simple Box

Note: A ‘Tip of the Day’ screen may appear over the main window.
Acknowledge this screen by clicking Close.

Figure 50 Geometry Composer Main Window

3. Select File | New to create a new geometry.

4. The Select Template window will appear. Select the ISOCS button and then
“Simple Box” from the ISOCS list. The window should appear as shown.
When done click OK.

Figure 51 Selecting the Simple Box from the list of templates

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

5. The Select Detector window will appear on top of the Geometry Composer's
main screen. Select “ISOCS” from the drop down list for Body style, and the
appropriate detector for your measurement (i.e., the detector you intend to use
to make this measurement). The figure below shows the window only.

The selected entry tells the ISOCS software where the characterization data for
the specific detector being used is stored. Canberra has used MCNP, a Monte
Carlo program, to develop a comprehensive characterization for each ISOCS
customer’s specific detector. Mathematical models of the detector were
created, and analyzed. The result is a set of formulae that when evaluated
define the efficiency for any point in space 360 degrees around the detector, at
all energies from either 10 or 45 to 7000 keV, and at all distances from the
endcap out to 500 meters.

All characterized detectors that the customer has can be listed here, and
therefore are available for selection here.

Figure 52 The Select Detector Window

6. The Edit Dimensions – Simple Box window will now appear on top of the
Geometry Composer's main screen.

Figure 53 Edit Dimensions – Simple Box window as it initially appears

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 Example: Simple Box

Enter the Container Data:

Since we are looking at the box from the 6 x 4 ft (183 x 122 cm) side, the
first dimension is 6 ft. But notice that the units selected are cm (see the
selected Units choice), so the 1.2 dimension (X) is 183 cm. The next (Y)
dimension is 122 cm, and the last dimension (Z) is also 122 cm. These
parameters have now described the container. Note that since these are the
internal dimensions, the X and Z dimensions of the sample contents are
also described. The container material is low carbon steel, and since the
carbon content is very small, just select iron from the material drop down
list. Note a density of 7.86 – the value for iron in the material library – is
automatically entered for you. If you wish, you can edit this value as
needed.

Enter the Sample Data:

Our box is approximatelyapproximately 75% full of dirt. The next two
lines allow for the possible entry of two different layers of radioactivity.
But this case has only one, the dirt. It really does not matter which line is
used, top or bottom. But enter it into the bottom layer. Since the X and Z
dimensions are the same as the dirt, then the only dimension needed is the
Y value which is 90cm. Next we need the material. Select dirt1 from the
material drop down list. Replace the automatically entered density with a
value of “1.4”, the assumed density for this example. Since this volume
element is radioactive, insure that a “1” appears in the Rel. (Relative
Concentration) field.

Enter the Detector Position:

The default assumption is that the detector is on a perpendicular line from
the center of the box, and pointing at the center of the box. This is the case
here, so only the first dimension is necessary. The first entry is the
source-detector distance, so enter a typical value, perhaps 2 m (200 cm).

7. Enter the parameters previously determined as follows:

Wall thickness = dimension 1.1 = 0.3 – material = iron

Inside Length of box (x) = dimension 1.2 = 183 cm

Inside Width of box (y) = dimension 1.3 = 122 cm

Height of box (z) = dimension 1.4 = 122 cm

Source – Top Layer = dimension 2.1 = 0

Source – Bottom = dimension 3.1 = 90 – material = dirt, density = 1.4,

Rel.= 1.00

Absorber 1 = dimension 4.1 = 0

Absorber 2 = dimension 5.1 = 0

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

Source-Detector Distance = dimension 5.1 = 200

When all of the data has been entered, the screen should appear as shown.

Figure 54 Edit Dimensions - Simple Box window when completed

Click on the View Drawing button to view the template drawing. The
drawing shows the meaning of each dimension parameter for the box. Copy
the blank sample sheets from the manual and use them in the field to record the
various container and sample dimensions. The completed sheets can then
serve as part of the permanent record of measurement process.

8. When completed, click OK. A graphic of the geometry will appear in the main
window as shown. Note the view has been modified to allow easier viewing of
the detector and source. You can use combinations of the mouse, Shift key,
and Control key to rotate, zoom, and pan the display to better view your
geometry.

Figure 55 The Geometry Composer Main window with graphic of Example 1

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 Example: Simple Box

9. Click the icon or select the Edit | Efficiency Curve | Validate

Geometry menu option to validate the geometry. The message in the figure
below should appear. Click OK to continue.

10. On the main window, click the icon or select the File | Save As menu
option to save the file. Save the file in the default folder with the name:
Example_1_Simple_Box.geo as shown.

Figure 56 Saving the Simple Box file

11. Click the icon or select the Edit | Efficiency Curve | Generate data
point menu option. The ISOCS Efficiency Calibration Calculation window
should briefly appear while the calculation is running. It will disappear upon
completion, and will be replaced with a message “Efficiency data points have
been generated: ....”. Click OK to continue.

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

Note that the file path may be different depending on the where the Geometry
Composer and Genie2k are installed.

Figure 57 Efficiency Calibration Calculation Window

12. Exit the Geometry Composer by selecting File | Exit to return to Genie.

13. Perform an efficiency calibration as follows:

a. Select the Calibrate | Efficiency | By ISOCS/LabSOCS menu option.

The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Select Input File screen will now

appear as shown. Note that the file shown in the drop down list may be
different.

Figure 58 Selecting the Input File

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 Example: Simple Box

b. Click the Select button. An Open screen will now appear. Navigate to the
file specified as shown in the following figure.

Figure 59 Opening the Simple Box ECC file

c. Click the Open button. The name of the file containing the ISOCS results
computed above will be displayed in the dialog box. Click the Next
button.

Figure 60 Simplified Box Calibration File Selected

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

d. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Select Efficiency Option screen will

appear as shown. Next select the type of calibration and analysis – total
activity, activity per unit volume, or activity per unit mass – that is desired.
Use “Efficiency” per unit (total activity), then click on Next.

Figure 61 Selecting the Efficiency Option

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 Example: Simple Box

e. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Efficiency Results screen will appear

as shown. This screen displays the results of the calibration numerically.

Figure 62 Showing the Efficiency Results

f. At this point it is only necessary to Store the calibration.

However, before storing it, one might choose to view the calibration,
adjust the order of the polynomial fit, etc. It is recommended to use
Interpolated fit. This is done by clicking the Show button - the results of
which is shown in the following figure.

Figure 63 Efficiency Calibration Curves Screen

One can also generate a calibration report by clicking the Report button -
the results of which is shown.

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Chapter 8 ISOCS Training Course

Figure 64 Displaying the efficiency calibrations results report

g. Finally, we will store the calibration by clicking the Store button. This
will cause the Store window to appear as shown. Name the calibration file
as shown in the figure below and click Store.

Figure 65 Storing the Calibration File

h. The Calibrate by ISOCS/LabSOCS: Efficiency Results screen will once

again appear.

i. Click the Finish button. The Calibration is now stored and ready to be
used.

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 Example: Simple Box

9. Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

Efficiency correction by ISOCS allows the user to use an ISOCS or LabSOCS
geometry file to generate peak efficiencies for the specific spectrum results directly
from an ISOCS calculation, without the need to interpolate from a pre-exisiting curve.
This analysis step also allows the user to define a geometry parameter during run time,
allowing for greater flexibility of ISOCS or LabSOCS files. To start from the Menu
bar at the top of Genie 2000 Gamma Acquisition & Analysis screen, the user should
select Analyze | Efficiency Correction | ISOCS…

Figure 66 Selecting ISOCS Efficiency Correction

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

Upon selecting the “Efficiency Correction by ISOCS” option, the user will then be
presented with the ISOCS Efficiency Corrrection Setup dialog as shown below.

To select a geometry file to be used for the efficiency correction step, the user must
click on the Browse button, navigate to the GEO file of interest, and open it. Upon
selecting a geometry file, the analysis engine will ask the user if they would like to
copy the selected geometry to the current data source (CNF file). In order to proceed
with the Efficiency Correction by ISOCS step, the user must select “Yes” to this
question.

Before the geometry information is copied into the spectrum file, all of the auxiliary
information contained within the GEO file is checked against what is currently
available on the users system. The software will attempt to add any unique materials,
collimators, etc. to the user's local files. If there is already an item with the same name
as the object you are trying to add, then the user will be prompted to either cancel the
action, or to change the name of the item that is causing the conflict.

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 Example

In addition, the energy list that is used in the ISOCS calculation is created at runtime.
The engine adds the energies from the peak search results to the energy list included in
the GEO file. The uncertainty due to the interpolation between the calculated
efficiency points is reduced by including the energies from the peak search results.
However, any points in the energy list that lie outside of the peak area channel range
limits (set in a previous analysis set up step) will be dropped (e.g. if the energy list has
3 MeV, but the peak area range only goes up to 2.5 MeV, then the 3 MeV point will not
be used in the efficiency calculation). Also, if the combined number of efficiency
points from the GEO file energy list and the peak search records exceeds 45, the
algorithm starts dropping points until the number of energies is 45.

For more details on the algorithm, please refer to the Genie 2000 Customization Tools
manual.

It is possible in this screen to identify a parameter of the geometry file as a variable

parameter. Doing so will prompt the user at run time for a value of this variable
parameter, which will then be used when generating the efficiency points. This will
be demonstrated in the following example.

Press Execute, and now your peak efficiency results are available for further nuclide
analyses.

Example
Presented below are example scenarios which can be considered typical for ISOCS and
LabSOCS users, respectively. These examples demonstrate the features of the
Efficiency Correction by ISOCS analysis step in Genie 2000.

ISOCS
Consider a case where users are assaying 55-gallon drums. It is known that these drums
have some sort of hot spot contained in them, but the position of the hot spot can vary
from drum to drum.

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

The first step to solve this problem is to generate a geometry file in Geometry
Composer. To accommodate a hot spot in a drum, the geometry must be created using
the “Complex Cylinder” ISOCS template.

Figure 67 Selecting the Complex Cylinder Template

For this example, select the “Example” detector that comes with every ISOCS /
LabSOCS installation.

Figure 68 Selecting the Example Detector

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 Example

Enter the following dimensions for the drum and the hot spot parameter values.

Figure 69 Entering the Complex Cylinder's Dimensions

Note that parameters 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 determine the position of the hot spot within the
drum container. In this example, it is these parameters which can vary for different
drums, and will consequently be adjusted at runtime in Genie. Validate the geometry
and save the geo file as “G2K_Addendum_ISOCS.geo”.

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

Open up GAA, and load the “NBSSTD.CNF” spectrum file, which will act as our
measured drum spectrum. This spectrum comes with the Genie 2000 installation and
already has peak search records saved in the file. Click on Analyze | Efficiency
Correction | ISOCS… to set up the ISOCS calculation. The following dialog box
will appear.

Figure 70 ISOCS Efficiency Correction Setup Dialog

Here the user can select the geometry file that will be used in the ISOCS efficiency
correction.

Note: If there is already geometry information contained in the spectrum file, the
Geometry File Name and Geometry Description text boxes would be
populated.

Next, the user should click the Browse button and navigate to where the
“G2K_Addendum_ISOCS.geo” file is stored. Upon selecting this file, the user will be
asked whether or not to copy the geometry to this datasource. In order to continue the
user must select “Yes”.

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 Example

The set up dialog should then be populated with the geometry file path and description.

Figure 71 Setup Dialog with File Path and Description

In this example, the hot spot location parameters will be adjusted at runtime. In order to
do this, the user must set up which parameters are variable. Pressing the Add
Variable Parameter button brings up the runtime variable parameters set up dialog.

Figure 72 Runtime Variable Parameters Setup Dialog

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

The hotspot location parameters are 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4. These parameters can be made
variable by double-clicking the parameter dimension boxes. When they are
double-clicked a comment dialog box will pop up. Enter the following comments for
parameters 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 respectively. These comments are simple text strings that
are meant to help the user identify the parameter they are providing values for during
run time.

Once these comments have been entered, press the OK button on the runtime variable
parameter setup dialog.

The ISOCS Efficiency Correction Setup dialog will then display the variable
parameters comments that were entered in the Run-time Parameter Query List.

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 Example

Select the “Generate Report” checkbox, and press Execute. The user will then be
prompted to enter the runtime values for the variables.

Figure 73 ISOCS Efficiency Correction Setup with Comments

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

Change the hot spot vertical height to 500, the radial offset to 150, and the angular
offset to 90, and press OK. The results of the efficiency calculation will be shown in
the Genie2K reporting window.

Figure 74 Entering Runtime Values

Note that the energy list sent to the ISOCS algorithms during the Efficiency Correction
by ISOCS analysis step is a combination of the default energy list and the peaks found
during peak search and is cut off above the upper limit of the peak analysis step set up.

Save this spectrum file as “NBSSTD_w_G2K_Addendum_ISOCS.CNF”, and close

Genie 2000. Launch the Geometry Composer application and open up this CNF file.
The geometry information from the CNF file will be extracted and displayed in the
Geometry Composer main view. Examining the parameter values in the editor will
confirm that the geometry information stored in the CNF file matches was the user
entered in the Efficiency Correction By ISOCS analysis step.

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 Example

LabSOCS
A typical problem encountered in the laboratory might be where the material
composition and the density of a sample might not be known until the time of
measurement. To set up this example, we must first generate a geometry file in
Geometry Composer using the “Custom General Purpose Beaker” LabSOCS template.

Figure 75 Selecting the Custom General Purpose Beaker

For this example, select the “Example“ detector that comes with every ISOCS /
LabSOCS installation.

Figure 76 Selecting the Example Detector

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

Select the 20cc.bkr contour file from the beaker list. A beaker file (*.BKR) file is a set
of contours that define a cylindrical container. This is useful when working with a
container that has rounded or finely detailed walls, such as many standard laboratory
containers. You can create your own or use on the of the predefined containers, as is
done here.

Figure 77 Selecting the 20cc. Contour File

Enter the following dimensions in the “Edit dimensions” dialog window. This will
define a sample inside the custom beaker (fill height is from the lowest point of the
beaker) as well as the position of the beaker with respect to the detector. Note that is is
important that the density of the sample be as accurate as possible to the true sample
density.

Figure 78 Editing the Dimensions

Note that that the source parameter is No. 3. Validate the geometry and save the geo
file as “G2K_Addendum_LabSOCS.geo”.

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 Example

Open up Gamma Acquisition & Analysis and load the NBSSTD.CNF spectrum file,
which will act as our measured spectrum. This spectrum comes with the Genie 2000
installation and already has peak search records saved in the file. Click on Analyze |
Efficiency Correction | ISOCS… to set up the ISOCS calculation. The following
dialog box will appear.

Figure 79 ISOCS Efficiency Correction Setup Dialog

Here the user can select the geometry file that will be used in the ISOCS efficiency
correction.

Note: If there is already geometry information contained in the spectrum file, the
Geometry File Name and Geometry Description text boxes would be
populated.

Next, the user should click the Browse button and navigate to where the
“G2K_Addendum_LabSOCS.geo” file is stored. Upon selecting this file, the user will
be asked whether or not to copy the geometry to this datasource. In order to continue
the user must select “Yes”.

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Chapter 9 Efficiency Correction By ISOCS

The set up dialog should then be populated with the geometry file path and description.

Figure 80 Setup Dialog with File Path and Description

To see the output of the efficiency calculation, the user should click on the “Generate
Report” check box. To execute the Efficiency Correction step, press the Execute
button. The results of the efficiency calculation should be shown in the Genie2K
reporting window.

Note that the energy list sent to the ISOCS algorithms during the Efficiency Correction
by ISOCS analysis step is a combination of the default energy list and the peaks found
during peak search.

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 Prerequisites

10. Using Cascade Correction

Canberra's patented Cascade Summing Correction algorithms (US Patent 6,225,634.),
included in Genie 2000 software, lets you more accurately determine the activities of
radionuclides that exhibit cascade summing effects, such as 88Y, 60Co and 152Eu.

Please refer to the Genie 2000 Operations Manual for full details on Cascade
Summing Correction.

Prerequisites
Before you execute a Cascade Correction analysis, you must have performed these
steps:
1. Create a Geometry Description for the sample analysis configuration that will
be used, as described in the Geometry Composer User's Manual.

Perform an Efficiency Calibration for that geometry as described in the

"Efficiency" section of the Gamma Acquisition and Analysis chapter of the
Genie 2000 Operations Manual. This calibration must be free from cascade
summing effections. If using a source-based (empirical) efficiency
calibration, and your calibration source includes nuclides which give rise to
cascade summing (e.g. 88Y, 60Co, 152Eu), you should refer to Correcting for
Cascade Summing in the Genie 2000 Operations Manual.

2. Cascade Summing Correction also requires a build-up correction. If the Use

ISOCS/LABSOCS Total efficiencies check box is selected, the build-up
corrected ISOCS/LABSOCS total efficiencies will be used for cascade
summing correction, using the referenced Geometry Composer File. Select the
Use Stored Geometry Data checkbox to use the geometry information that
was stored into the CAMFILE as part of the Efficiency Correction by ISOCS
analysis step.

If Use ISOCS/LABSOCS Total efficiencies checkbox is not selected, a valid

source measurement based Peak-to-Total calibration is required. Note that for
low energy detectors, “Use ISOCS/LABSOCS Total efficiencies” options is
highly recommended unless users have sources to determine Peak-to-Total
values accurately at X-ray energies.

Performing the Analysis

Cascade summing correction is performed for the nuclides and lines matching those in
the Coincidence Library COI_LIB.CLB installed with the software. This library
includes common nuclides and gamma lines that are affected by Gamma-Gamma
cascade summing, Gamma-X-ray cascade summing, and Positron
Annihilation-Gamma cascade summing. It also lists nuclides and lines that are free
from the effect. The following are important considerations when working with this
library:

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Chapter 10 Using Cascade Correction

• Although this library is not user editable, it is quite comprehensive. The

library’s data were obtained from ENSDF online database
(http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/nndc/nudat) at the National Nuclear Data Center
and includes decay parameters such as branching ratio, internal conversion
correction factors, and absolute yield percentages for nuclides and gamma
lines that are affected by cascade summing, and atomic data, including X-ray
yield, decay branching ratio, etc.. The atomic data may supplemented by
calculations with known theoretical models and approaches. Since the ENSDF
data is revised continuously and CANBERRA’s Cascade Summing Correction
Library is revised only occasionally, some of the library’s data vary slightly
from the current ENSDF data.

• In order to make a positive correlation, the nuclide entries in the NID library
must following the naming convention XX-AAA[m] or XX-AAA[m2], where
XX is the element name, AAA is the mass number, and m or m2 is an optional
letter indicating decay from a metastable state (for example: Bi-212,
Te-131m, or Ir-194m2). For a complete list of available nuclides, refer to
Genie 2000 Coincidence Summing Library.pdf, either on your Genie 2000
CD-ROM or, if documentation was installed on your PC, in its
Genie2K\pdfs\docs folder.

• The gamma-ray energies do not have to match precisely, but rather agree
within the Tolerance defined in the “NID plus Interference Correction Setup”
window.

• It is not necessary that all the gamma-rays in the Coincidence library be listed
in the NID library, nor that the NID library be limited to those in the
Coincidence library. The proper correction will still be applied for the cases
listed.

• For legacy purposes, the cascade summing library COI.CLB_ORIG is also

installed with the software. This library was used before Genie 2000 v3.2, and
it contains a smaller set of nuclides and cascading lines. For more information
and usage, contact Canberra's technical support team.

To complete the analysis, select the Perform Cascade Correction checkbox and
select the Execute button.

If an identified nuclide matches an entry in the Coincidence library, either a correction

will be calculated (called the COI value) or “FREE” will be reported. If FREE is
reported, this indicates the nuclide does not suffer from cascade summing effects and
no correction is needed. If the identified nuclide is not in the Coincidence library, a
“MISS” will be reported and no cascade summing correction is calculated. However,
this is not an indication that the nuclide is free from cascade summing effects.

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Note: For the special case of cascade summing correction with Well Detectors: If
the referenced geometry file contains activity inside the well of a detector,
nuclides suffering from electron capture and positron emission events will not
be corrected. Instead, these will be reported as a MISS at the completion of
the analysis.

Example of Cascade Summing Correction

The example from the LabSOCS section of the Efficiency Correction By ISOCS
chapter can be extended to illustrate the new features of nuclide identification (NID)
and minimum detectable activity (MDA). NID can be accessed via the Analyze |
Nuclide Identification | NID w/Intrf. Corr… menu command. The NID set up
dialog is then presented to the user. Because the user has copied geometry data into the
current spectrum file in the efficiency correction step, a new option for NID is
available. The user may elect to perform cascade summing correction for this spectrum
using the internally stored geometry data by clicking the “Perform cascade correction”,
“Use ISOCS/LABSOCS Total Efficiencies”, and “Use Stored Geometry Data”
checkboxes.

Figure 81 NID plus Interference Correction Setup Dialog

Press the Execute button in order to start the NID engine. The Interference Corrected
Report will create a table similar to the following.

Nuclide Id Energy Yield Activity Activity Coinc

Name Confidence (keV) (%) (uCi/unit) Uncertainty Corr
K-40 0.998 1460.81* 10.67 4.68999E-003 2.74503E-004 miss
CO-57 0.999 122.06* 85.51 1.14520E-003 1.16900E-004 1.000

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Chapter 10 Using Cascade Correction

136.48* 10.60 1.33146E-003 1.70667E-004 1.000

CO-60 1.000 1173.22* 100.00 3.22165E-003 1.35086E-004 0.835
1332.49* 100.00 3.03524E-003 1.26870E-004 0.830
SE-75 0.331 96.73 3.41
121.11* 16.70 9.45740E-003 1.05769E-003 0.785
136.00* 59.20 3.83543E-004 5.28925E-005 0.787
198.60 1.45
264.65 59.80
279.53* 25.20 4.21122E-003 3.55976E-004 0.856
303.91 1.32
400.65 11.40
KR-85 0.999 513.99* 0.43 2.77825E-001 1.73108E-002 miss
SR-85 0.992 513.99* 99.27 2.60000E-003 1.62006E-004 1.000
Y-88 0.998 898.02* 93.40 9.85475E-003 4.71315E-004 0.848
1836.01* 99.38 8.74553E-003 3.56453E-004 0.830
CD-109 0.996 88.03* 3.72 1.42182E-002 1.55263E-003 free
SN-113 0.944 255.12 1.93
391.69* 64.90 2.28289E-003 1.67741E-004 free

On this report, the far right column indicates the results of the cascade summing
correction. If a value is indicated, this is the COI value, or the amount of correction
performed due to summing in or summing out. If the nuclide indicates a “Miss”, as is
shown for K-40, this indicates that the nuclide line was not in the cascade summing
library and no correction was calculated. If the nuclide indicates “Free”, this nuclide
is in the library and has been determined to not suffer from cascade summing effects.

MDA analysis can also be run by clicking Analyze | Detection Limits | Currie
MDA… which will bring up the following set up dialog.

Figure 82 Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) Setup Dialog

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 Example of Cascade Summing Correction

Click the Execute button to launch the Currie MDA engine. The MDA engine will
also correct for cascade summing (using the same geometry as defined for the NID
step), and will generate a report with coincidence correction included in the same
manner as the NID step.

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Appendix A Glossary

A. Glossary
Underlined terms are defined elsewhere in this glossary. These terms and their cross
references can also be researched online at http:/www.canbera.com.

A
ABSORBED DOSE
Absorbed dose is the amount of energy deposited in any material by ionizing
radiation. It is a measure of energy absorbed per gram of material. The SI unit of
absorbed dose is the gray. The special unit of absorbed dose is the rad.

ACCURACY
The degree of agreement between an individual measurement or average of
measurements and the accepted reference value of the quantity being measured.
See also precision.

ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
A method of chemical analysis (for small traces of material) based on the detection
of characteristic radionuclides in a sample after it has been subjected to nuclear
bombardment.

ADC
Analog to Digital Converter. A device which changes an analog signal to a digital
signal.

AIM
Acquisition Interface Module: a type of multichannel analyzer.

ALARA
Since exposure to radiation always carries some risk, the exposure should be kept
"As Low As Reasonably Achievable", as defined by 10 CFR 20.

ALGORITHM
A set of well-defined rules for solving a problem.

ALPHA PARTICLE [Symbol: α]

A particle made up of two neutrons and two protons; it is identical to a helium
nucleus and is the least penetrating of the three common types of radiation (the
other two are beta particles and gamma rays), being stopped by a sheet of paper or
a few centimeters of air. An alpha-emitting substance is generally not dangerous to
a biological system, such as the human body, unless the substance has entered the
system. See decay.

AMPLIFICATION
The process by which weak signals, such as those from a detector are magnified to
a degree suitable for measurement.

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ANALOG MULTIPLEXER
An electronic instrument that accepts several inputs and stores each one in a
separate section of MCA memory. Also called a mixer/router.

ANNIHILATION RADIATION
Radiation produced by the annihilation of a positron and an electron. For particles
at rest, two photons with an energy of 511 keV each are produced.

ANTICOINCIDENCE CIRCUIT
A circuit with two inputs. The circuit delivers an output pulse if one input receives
a pulse within a predetermined time interval, usually on the order of milliseconds,
but not if both inputs receive a pulse. A principle used in pulse height analysis. See
also coincidence circuit.

AREA
The number of counts in a given region of a spectrum that are above the continuum
level.

ASCII
An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a method
for encoding alphabetical, numeric, and punctuation characters and some
computer control characters.

ATTENUATION CORRECTION
Correction to the observed signal for the attenuation of radiation in a material
between the sample and the detector or within the sample itself.

B
BACKGROUND RADIATION
Radiation due to sources other than the sample, such as cosmic rays, radioactive
materials in the vicinity of a detector or radioactive components of the detection
system other than the sample.

BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION
The statistical process of subtracting the background level of radiation from a
sample count.

BACKSCATTERING
The process of scattering or deflecting into the sensitive volume of a measuring
instrument radiation that originally had no motion in that direction. The process is
dependent on the nature of the mounting material, the shield surrounding the
sample and the detector, the nature of the sample, the type of energy of the
radiation, and the geometry. See also scattering.

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Appendix A Glossary

BASELINE
In biology, a known base state from which changes are measured. In electronics, a
voltage state (usually zero volts) from which a pulse excursion varies.

BECQUEREL [Symbol: Bq]

The SI unit of activity, defined as one disintegration per second (dps).

BETA PARTICLE [Symbol: ß]

An elementary particle emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay with a
single electrical charge and a mass equal to 1/1837 that of a proton. A negatively
charged beta particle is identical to an electron. A positively-charged beta particle
is called a positron.

BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE [Symbol: Tb]

The time required for a biological system to eliminate half of the amount of a
substance (such as radioactive material) by natural processes. Compare effective
half-life and half-life.

BREMSSTRAHLUNG
Radiation produced by the sudden deceleration of an electrically charged particle
when passing through an intense electrical field.

C
CASCADE SUMMING
Also referred to as true coincidence summing, it occurs when two or more pulses
from the same decay are summed because they deposit energy in the detector at the
same time. It is a function of the measurement efficiencies and occurs only with
susceptible cascading nuclides (60Co, 88Y, 152Eu, 133Ba, etc.)

CENTROID
The center of a peak; usually not an exact channel number.

CHANNEL
One of an MCA's memory locations for storage of a specific level of energy or
division of time.

CHERENKOV RADIATION
Photons emitted from polarized molecules when returning to their ground state
following excitation by charged particles traveling faster than the speed of light in
a transparent medium.

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CHI-SQUARE TEST
A general procedure for determining the probability that two different
distributions are actually samples of the same population. In nuclear counting
measurements, this test is frequently used to compare the observed variations in
repeat counts of a radioactive sample to the variation predicted by statistical
theory.

COINCIDENCE CIRCUIT
A circuit with two inputs. The circuit delivers an output pulse if both inputs receive
a pulse within a predetermined time interval, usually on the order of milliseconds,
but not if just one input receives a pulse. A principle used in pulse height analysis.
See also anticoincidence circuit.

COINCIDENCE SUMMING
A process where the signal from two or more gamma rays emitted by a single
decay of a single radionuclide occur within the resolving time of the detector end
up being recorded together as a single event so that the recorded event is not
representative of the original decay. Typically causes counts to be lost from the
full energy peaks, but may also cause addition to the full energy peaks.
Coincidence summing is a function of the sample-to-detector geometry, and the
nuclide's decay scheme. It is not a function of the overall count rate.

COLLECT
An MCA function that causes storage of data in memory.

COMPTON SCATTERING
Elastic scattering of photons in materials, resulting in a loss of some of the
photon's energy.

CONFIDENCE FACTOR
It is common practice when reporting results to assign them a confidence level: the
value plus or minus one standard deviation. Radiation protection measurements
are usually reported at the 95% confidence level, meaning that the results would be
expected to be within plus or minus that range 95 out of 100 times. Also called
Confidence Level.

CONTINUUM
A smooth distribution of energy deposited in a gamma detector caused by the
partial absorption of energy from processes such as Compton scattering or
bremsstrahlung.

CONVERSION GAIN
The number of discrete voltage levels (or channels) that the ADC's full scale input
is divided into.

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Appendix A Glossary

CONVERSION TIME
The time required to change an input signal from one format to another, such as
analog to digital, or time difference to pulse amplitude; contributes to dead time.

COSMIC RAYS
Radiation, both particulate and electromagnetic, that originates outside the earth's
atmosphere.

COUNT
A single detected event or the total number of events registered by a detection
system.

CRITICAL LEVEL (Lc)

The level below which a net signal cannot reliably be detected. See also detection
level.

CROSSOVER ENERGY
In some efficiency calibration models, the energy at which one calibration curve is
changed into a second calibration curve. This is used in the Dual Efficiency
Calibration in Genie software.

CURIE [Symbol: Ci]

The (approximate) rate of decay of 1 gram of radium; by definition equal to 3.7 x
1010 becquerels (or disintegrations per second). Also, a quantity of any nuclide
having 1 curie of radioactivity.

D
DATASOURCE
A hardware device or a file which stores data acquisition parameters and spectral
data.

DAUGHTER NUCLIDE
A radionuclide produced by the decay of a parent nuclide.

DEAD TIME
The time that the instrument is busy processing an input signal and is not able to
accept another input; often expressed as a percentage. See also live time.

DECAY
The disintegration of the nucleus of an unstable atom by spontaneous fission, by
the spontaneous emission of an alpha particle or beta particle, isomeric transitions,
or by electron capture.

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DEFAULT
The value of a parameter used by a program in the absence of a user-supplied
value.

DERIVED AIR CONCENTRATION (DAC)

The concentration (Bq/m3) of a radionuclide in air that if breathed by Reference
Man for a working year (2000 hours) under light activity conditions would result
in the annual limit on intake (ALI) by inhalation.

DETECTION LEVEL
The level of net signal that can be predicted to be detectable. See also critical level.

DETECTOR
A device sensitive to radiation which produces a current or voltage pulse which
may or may not correspond to the energy deposited by an individual photon or
particle.

DIGITAL STABILIZATION
The monitoring of one or two reference peaks in a spectrum, one for gain and one
for zero, to correct for drift in the system electronics.

DISCRIMINATOR
An electronic circuit which distinguishes signal pulses according to their pulse
height or voltage so that unwanted counts can be excluded.

DISINTEGRATION
See decay.

DPM
Disintegrations per minute. One DPM equals 60 becquerels.

DOSE
The radiation delivered to the whole human body or to a specified area or organ of
the body. This term is used frequently in whole body counting applications.

DOUBLE ESCAPE PEAK

See escape peak.

E
EFFECTIVE HALF-LIFE [Symbol: Teff]
The time required for a radioactive element in a biological system, such as the
human body, to be reduced by one-half as a result of the combined action of
radioactive decay and biological elimination. Compare half-life and biological
half-life.

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Appendix A Glossary

EFFICIENCY
The fraction of decay events from a standard sample seen by a detector in the peak
corresponding to the gamma ray energy of the emission, and stored by a detection
system. Also called Peak Efficiency. Used to calibrate the system for quantitative
analyses. Also used to specify germanium detectors, where the relative efficiency
of the germanium detector is compared to a standard (3 x 3 in.) NaI(Tl) detector.
Compare total efficiency.

EFFICIENCY CALIBRATION
A function, a lookup table, or series of functions, which correlate the number of
counts seen by the detection system in specific peaks with known activity
corresponding to such emission energies in a radioactive sample.

ELASTIC SCATTERING
See scattering.

ELECTRODEPOSITION
A process for coating the surface of samples being prepared for alpha spectroscopy
and alpha/beta counting.

ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
A general term to describe an interacting electric and magnetic wave that
propagates through vacuum at the speed of light. It includes radio waves, infrared
light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X rays and gamma rays.

ELECTRON [Symbol: e¯]

An elementary particle with a unit negative electrical charge and a mass 1/1837
that of the proton. Electrons surround the positively charged nucleus and
determine the chemical properties of the atom.

ELECTRON VOLT [Symbol: eV]

The amount of kinetic energy gained by an electron as it passes through a potential
difference of 1 volt. It is equivalent to 1.602 x 10-19 joules per second. It is a unit of
energy, or work, not of voltage.

ENERGY CALIBRATION
A function which correlates each channel in the displayed spectrum with a specific
unit of energy. Allows peaks to be identified by their location in the calibrated
spectrum.

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ESCAPE PEAK
A peak in a gamma ray spectrum resulting from the pair production process, the
subsequent annihilation of the photons produced, and escape from the detector of
the annihilation photons. If both annihilation photons escape, and the rest of the
original gamma energy is fully absorbed, a double escape peak is produced at an
energy equal to the original gamma ray energy minus 1.022 MeV. If only one of
the photons escapes, a single escape peak is produced at an energy equal to the
original gamma ray energy minus 511 keV.

EXCITED STATE
The state of molecule, atom, or nucleus when it possesses more than its ground
state energy. Excess molecular or atomic energy may be reduced through emission
of photons or heat. Excess nuclear energy may be reduced through emission of
gamma rays or conversion electrons or by further decay of a radionuclide.

eV
See electron volt.

F
FACTORS
The parameters used by an algorithm for its calculations.

FULL ENERGY ABSORPTION

The absorption and detection of all of the energy of an incident photon. May take
place as a direct photoabsorption or as a result of multiple Compton scatterings of
the incident photons within the resolving time of the detection system.

FULL ENERGY PEAK

The peak in an energy spectrum of X-ray or gamma-ray photons that occurs when
the full energy of the incident photon is absorbed by the detector.

FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum)

The full width of a peak measured at one-half of its maximum amplitude with the
continuum removed. Defines the resolution of a spectroscopy system.

G
GAIN, ADC
See conversion gain.

GAIN, AMPLIFIER
The ratio of the amplifier's output signal to its input signal.

GAIN CONTROL
A control used to adjust the height of a pulse received from the detecting system.

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Appendix A Glossary

GAMMA RAY [Symbol: γ]

A photon or high-energy quantum emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom.
Gamma rays are the most penetrating of the three common types of radiation (the
other two are alpha particles and beta particles) and are best stopped by dense
materials such as lead.

GAUSSIAN FIT
Calculating the parameters of a Gaussian (or Normal) function to best match a set
of empirical data (in spectroscopy, the acquired photopeak histogram). This
calculation is typically performed using a least squares method after subtracting
the Compton continuum underlying the peak.

GAUSSIAN PULSE SHAPE

A pulse shape resembling a statistical bell-curve, with little or no distortion.

GEOMETRY
The detector to sample distance, the sizes and shapes of the detector, the sample,
and any shielding, all of which affect the radiation seen by the detector. The
geometry helps define the efficiency of the detector.

GRAY [Symbol: Gy]

The SI unit of absorbed dose, defined as one joule per kilogram of absorbing
medium.

GROUND STATE
The state of a nucleus, atom or molecule at its lowest energy level.

H
HALF-LIFE [Symbol: Tl/2]
The time in which one half of the atoms of a particular radioactive substance decay
to another nuclear form. Half-lives vary from millionths of a second to billions of
years.

HISTOGRAM
A representation of data by vertical bars, the heights of which indicate the
frequency of energy or time events.

I
INELASTIC SCATTERING
See scattering.

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ION
An atom or molecule that has become electrically charged by having lost or gained
one or more electrons. Examples of an ion are an alpha particle, which is a helium
atom minus its two electrons, and a proton, which is a hydrogen atom minus its
single electron.

INDEX
An MCA function that jumps the cursor from one region of interest to another.

INPUT/OUTPUT
The process of loading data into or copying data from an MCA or computer using
a peripheral device, such as a computer, a floppy disk, or a printer.

IN SITU COUNTING
Measurement and analysis of radioactivity performed at the sample's location.

INTEGRAL
The total sum of counts in the region of interest.

INTENSIFY
To change the contrast of a displayed region of interest to set it off from data
regions of lesser importance.

INTERACTIVE PEAK FIT

The process of refining and verifying the quality of a peak fit. The fitting
parameters, such as the centroid location and the way the continuum is defined,
can be changed. The change in the quality of the fit is displayed.

INTERFERING PEAK
A peak due to background radiation which is produced at the location of a peak in
the sample spectrum or due to a peak produced by a radionuclide in the sample at
the location of another radionuclide's peak.

IN VIVO COUNTING
In vivo counting refers to directly measuring and analyzing radionuclide activity
levels in a living body.

IN VITRO COUNTING
In vitro counting refers to samples, such as tissue or blood, being analyzed for
radionuclide activity levels in an artificial environment (outside of a living body).

I/O
See input/output.

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Appendix A Glossary

IONIZATION
The process by which an electrically neutral atom acquires a charge (either
positive or negative).

IONIZING EVENT
Any process whereby an ion or group of ions is produced. As applied to nuclear
spectroscopy, this refers to the passing of radiation through a gas, a crystal, or a
semiconductor.

ISOMERIC TRANSITION
The de-excitation of an elevated energy level of a nucleus to the ground state of the
same nucleus by the emission of a gamma ray or a conversion electron.

ISOTOPE
One of two or more atoms with the same atomic number (the same chemical
element) but with different atomic weights. An equivalent statement is that the
nuclei of isotopes have the same number of protons (thus the same chemical
element) but different numbers of neutrons (thus the different atomic weight).
Isotopes usually have very nearly the same chemical properties, but somewhat
different physical properties. See also nuclide and stable isotope.

K
keV (kiloelectron volt)
One thousand electron volts.

KEY LINE
Designated in nuclide libraries for reporting purposes only. It is intended to
indicate the highest abundance photopeak energy for nuclides with multiple
energy lines, or the line that is the least likely to have interferences.

L
LAN
Local area network: a network of two or more computers connected together.

Lc
See critical level.

LIBRARY DIRECTED PEAK SEARCH

Method of designating the location of peaks using all of the lines from the
specified nuclide library. All of the nuclide library energies are assumed to have
photopeak present and the peak analysis is typically required to verify or reject
each peak. This limits the peak search to the nuclides in the library but allows for
greater sensitivity than with typical unknown peak searches. See also second
difference peak search.

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LIMIT OF DETECTION (LD)

The minimum amount of the characteristic property being measured that can be
detected with reasonable certainty by the analytical procedure being used under
specific measuring conditions. If the conditions change, the limit of detection will
also change, even if the analytical procedure remains the same. See also lower
limit of detection.

LIVE TIME
The time that the ADC is not busy processing a signal. See also dead time and real
time.

LIVE TIME CORRECTION

In an MCA, the process of stopping the live time clock whenever the processing
circuits are busy and cannot accept further information. Commonly used to extend
the collection time by accounting for the dead time.

LOWER LIMIT OF DETECTION (LLD)

The smallest net signal that can reliably be quantified. LLD is a measure of the
performance of a system in terms of activity.

LOWER LEVEL DISCRIMINATOR (LLD)

An SCA's minimum acceptable energy level. Incoming pulse amplitudes below
this limit will not be passed. See also upper level discriminator.

M
MARINELLI BEAKER
A standard sample container that fits securely over a detector cryostat's endcap and
is used when calibrating voluminous samples (usually soil or water solutions).

MASS NUMBER
The sum of the neutrons and protons in a nucleus. It is the nearest whole number to
an atom's atomic weight. For instance, the mass number of 235U is 235.

MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATION (MPC)

The concentration limit for a given radionuclide in air or water in determining
possible inhalation, ingestion or absorption for health physics controls.

MCA
See multichannel analyzer.

MCS
See multichannel scaling.

MDA
Minimum detectable activity. See lower limit of detection.

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Appendix A Glossary

MEAN
The average of a group of numbers.

METASTABLE ISOTOPE
A long-lived energy state of a particular nuclide that is not its ground state. Some
nuclides have more than one isomeric state. An isomeric state has the same mass
number and atomic number as the ground state, but possesses different radioactive
properties.

MeV (megaelectron volt)

One million electron volts.

MIXER/ROUTER
See analog multiplexer.

MONITORING, PERSONNEL
Periodic or continuous observation of the amount of radiation or radioactive
contamination present in or on an individual.

MULTICHANNEL ANALYZER (MCA)

An instrument which collects, stores and analyzes time-correlated or
energy-correlated events. See also multichannel scaling and pulse height analysis.

MULTICHANNEL SCALING (MCS)

The acquisition of time-correlated data in an MCA. Each channel is sequentially
allocated a dwell time (a specified time period) for accumulating counts until all
the memory has been addressed. MCS is useful for studying rapidly decaying
radioactive sources.

MULTISPECTRAL SCALING
Multispectral scaling acquisition mode, also called “ping-pong” mode, alternately
collects data in two separate memory regions, quickly collecting many spectra
with extremely low latency between acquisitions.

MULTIPLET
Peaks in a spectrum which overlap each other. Compare singlet.

N
NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (NORM)
Radioactivity that is naturally present in the earth.

NEUTRON [Symbol: n]
An uncharged elementary particle with mass slightly greater than that of the
proton, and found in the nucleus of every atom heavier than hydrogen.

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NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS (NAA)

The process of activating materials by neutron absorption then measuring the
emission of characteristic photons on decay to determine the relative abundance of
elements in an object.

NID
Nuclide Identification, the process of identifying radionuclides by comparing peak
energies detected with entries in a nuclide library.

NIM
Nuclear Instrumentation Module. A nuclear instrument conforming to the
DOE/ER-00457T standard.

NOISE
Unwanted signals on or with a useful signal which can distort its information
content.

NON-DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY (NDA)

An analysis method that does not destroy the sample. For example: gamma
spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation.

NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS
The general topic of maintaining control and accountability of special nuclear
materials.

NUCLEUS
The positively charged core of an atom, which contains nearly all of the atom's
mass. All nuclei contain both protons and neutrons, except the nucleus of ordinary
hydrogen, which consists of a single proton.

NUCLIDE
A general term applicable to the isotopes of all elements, including both stable and
radioactive forms (radionuclides).

NUCLIDE LIBRARY
A file listing nuclides, their names, half-lives, types, energies/lines, and line
abundances. These files are used with library directed peak searches, nuclide
identification (NID) and as aids in performing calibrations.

O
OFFSET, ADC
A digitally performed shift in the ADC's channel zero. Shifts the entire spectrum
by the selected amount.

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Appendix A Glossary

OVERLAP
An MCA function allowing one section of memory to be displayed over another.

P
PAIR PRODUCTION
Creation of an electron- positron pair by gamma ray interaction in the field of a
nucleus. For this process to be possible, the gamma ray's energy must exceed 1.022
MeV, twice the rest mass of an electron.

PARAMETER
A variable that is given a constant value for a specific application.

PARENT NUCLIDE
A radionuclide that produces a daughter nuclide during decay.

PASSIVE NON-DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY

A method that uses radiation emitted by the sample itself, without increasing the
emission by bombarding the sample with something, such as neutrons. The sample
itself is not changed in any way in the course of passive assay.

PEAK
A statistical distribution of digitized energy data for a single energy.

PEAK CHANNEL
The channel number closest to the centroid of a peak.

PEAK FIT
The optimization of parameters to match an expected model shape to empirical
data (see also gaussian fit). This optimization is typically performed using a least
squares method.

PEAK-TO-TOTAL RATIO
The ratio of the observed counts in a full energy peak to the counts in the entire
spectrum, caused by the interaction of radiation with the detector at that emission
energy only.

PERCENT SIGMA [Symbol: σ]

An expression of the standard deviation as a percentage. It is numerically equal to
100 times the standard deviation divided by the mean.

PHA
See pulse height analysis.

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PHOTOELECTRIC ABSORPTION
The process in which a photon interacts with an absorber atom, the photon
disappears completely, and the atom ejects a photoelectron (from one of its bound
shells) in place of the photon.

PHOTOELECTRON
An electron released from an atom or molecule by means of energy supplied by
radiation, especially light.

PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE (PMT)

A device for amplifying the flashes of light produced by a scintillator.

PHOTON
In quantum theory, light is propagated in discrete packets of energy called
photons. The quantity of energy in each packet is called a quantum.

PHOTOPEAK
See Peak.

PHYSICAL HALF-LIFE
See half-life.

POLE/ZERO (P/Z)
A method of compensating the preamplifier's output signal fall-time and the
amplifier's shaping time constant. Its use improves the amplifier's high count rate
resolution and overload recovery.

PMT
See photomultiplier tube.

POSITRON [Symbol: ß+]

An elementary particle, an “anti-electron” with the mass of an electron but having
a positive charge. It is emitted by some radionuclides and is also created in pair
production by the interaction of high-energy gamma rays with matter.

POSITRON ANNIHILATION
A process where a positron combines with an electron, producing two annihilation
photons of 511 keV each.

PRECISION
The degree of agreement between several measurements of the same quantity
under specific conditions. See also accuracy.

PRIMORDIAL NUCLIDE
A nuclide as it exists in its original state.

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Appendix A Glossary

PROGENY
See daughter nuclide.

PROMPT GAMMA ANALYSIS

A form of neutron activation analysis where gammas, emitted during capture of
neutrons, are used for analysis instead of gammas of subsequent beta decay.

PROTON
An elementary particle with a single positive electrical charge and a mass
approximately 1837 times that of the electron. The atomic number (Z) of an atom
is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.

PROTON INDUCED X-RAY EMISSION (PIXE)

The emission of X rays when a sample is bombarded by protons. The X rays
emitted are characteristic of the elements present in the sample. Used for trace
analysis.

PULSE HEIGHT ANALYSIS (PHA)

The acquisition of energy-correlated data in the MCA. Each channel, defined as an
energy window, is incremented by one count for each event that falls within the
window, producing a spectrum which correlates the number of energy events as a
function of their amplitude.

PULSE PAIR RESOLUTION

The ability to discriminate between two pulses close together in time.

PULSE PILEUP
A condition, where two energy pulses arrive at nearly the same time, which could
produce false data in the spectrum.

PULSE PILEUP REJECTOR (PUR)

An electronic circuit for sensing the pulse pileup condition and rejecting these
pulses so that only single pulses are counted.

Q
QUANTUM
The unit quantity of energy according to quantum theory. It is equal to the product
of the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation and Planck's constant (6.626 x
10-34 J/s).

R
RAD
A special unit of absorbed dose. Equal to 0.01 gray.

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RADIATION
The emission or propagation of energy through matter or space by electromagnetic
disturbances which display both wave-like and particle-like behavior. Though in
this context the “particles” are known as photons, the term radiation has been
extended to include streams of fast-moving particles. Nuclear radiation includes
alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and free neutrons emitted from an
atomic nucleus during decay.

RADIOACTIVITY
The emission of radiation from the spontaneous disintegration (decay) of an
unstable nuclide.

RADIONUCLIDE
A radioactive isotope. See also nuclide.

RANDOM SUMMING
A process where the signal from two or more separate decays of the same
radionuclide or different radionuclides that occur within the resolving time of the
detector end up being recorded together as a single event so that the recorded event
is not representative of the original decays. Typically causes counts to be lost from
the full energy peaks. Random summing is a function of the overall count rate, or
the activity of the sample being measured.

RANDOM SUMMING LOSS

The loss of counts from the full energy peaks due to random summing.

RANGE, ADC
The full-scale address (number of channels) of the ADC's assigned memory
segment.

REAL TIME
Elapsed clock time; also called true time. Compare live time.

RECOILING NUCLEUS
A nucleus that gains significant kinetic energy from its decay.

REGION OF INTEREST (ROI)

A user-defined area of the spectrum which contains data of particular interest, such
as a peak.

REM (Roentgen Equivalent Man)

A unit of dose equivalency; equal to 0.01 sievert. See also Roentgen.

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Appendix A Glossary

RESOLUTION
The ability of a spectroscopy system to differentiate between two peaks that are
close together in energy. Thus, the narrower the peak, the better the resolution
capability. Measured as FWHM.

ROENTGEN
The Roentgen, the international unit of X radiation or gamma radiation, is the
amount of radiation producing, under ideal conditions in one cc ionization of
either sign equal to one electrostatic unit of charge.

ROI
See region of interest.

S
SCA
Single Channel Analyzer. A device which recognizes events (pulses) occurring
between the settings of the lower level discriminator and the upper level
discriminator. In an MCA, each event within these limits is counted; events
outside of these limits are discarded.

SCATTERING
A process that changes a particle's trajectory. Scattering is caused by particle
collisions with atoms, nuclei and other particles or by interactions with electric or
magnetic fields. If there is no change in the total kinetic energy of the system, the
process is called elastic scattering. If the total kinetic energy changes due to a
change in internal energy, the process is called inelastic scattering. See also
backscattering.

SCINTILLATOR
A type of detector which produces a flash of light as the result of an ionizing event.
See also photomultiplier tube.

SECOND DIFFERENCE PEAK SEARCH

A technique for locating photopeaks by calculating the second difference for each
channel in a spectrum, then locating areas of negative concavity. See also library
directed peak search.

SEGMENTED GAMMA SCANNER (SGS)

A gamma spectroscopy system that analyzes a sample by counting it in discrete
segments.

SELF ABSORPTION
Absorption of the photons emitted by the radioactive nuclides in the sample by the
sample material itself.

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SHADOW SHIELD
An attenuating enclosure that shields the detector from direct background
radiation without being a 4m shield. Typically used in whole body counting.

SHAPE CALIBRATION
The process of establishing a relationship between the expected peak shape and
energy. A shape calibration can be established by using two or more peak
FWHM/energy (or FWHM/channel) pairs or by using a least squares fit algorithm.

SIEVERT [Symbol: Sv]

The SI unit of dose equivalency (a quantity used in radiation protection). The
sievert is the dose equivalent when the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation
multiplied by the dimensionless factor Q (quality factor) and N (product of any
other multiplying factors) stipulated by the International Commission on
Radiological Protection is one joule per kilogram.

SINGLE CHANNEL ANALYZER

See SCA.

SINGLE ESCAPE PEAK

See escape peak.

SINGLET
A single peak in a spectrum, well separated from other peaks. Compare multiplet.

SMOOTHING
To decrease the effects of statistical uncertainties in computerized spectrum
analysis, the content of each channel is replaced by a weighted average over a
number of adjacent channels.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITY
The quantity of radioactivity per unit mass; for example, dpm/g or Bq/g.

SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL (SNM)

Material containing fissionable isotopes suitable for nuclear weapons.

SPECTRUM
A distribution of radiation intensity as a function of energy or time.

SPECTROMETER
A device used to count an emission of radiation of a specific energy or range of
energies to the exclusion of all other energies. See also multichannel analyzer.

STABLE ISOTOPE
An isotope that does not undergo radioactive decay.

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Appendix A Glossary

STANDARD DEVIATION [Symbol: σ]

A measure of the dispersion about the mean value of a series of observations
expressed in the same units as the mean value.

STRIPPING
Subtracting a specified fractional part of the data in one section of memory from
the data in another section of memory.

SYSTEM BUSY TIME

The dead time of an entire spectroscopy system.

T
TOTAL DETECTOR EFFICIENCY
All pulses from the detector are accepted, and all interactions (regardless of how
low in energy) are assumed counted.

TOTAL EFFICIENCY
The ratio of all pulses recorded in the MCA's memory (in all channels) to the
gamma quanta emitted by the sample. Compare efficiency.

TRANSURANIC (TRU)
Possessing an atomic number higher than that of uranium (92).

TRUE COINCIDENCE SUM PEAK

A spectral peak, the energy of which equals the sum of the energies of two or more
gamma rays or X rays from a single nuclear event.

TRUE TIME
See real time.

U
UNCERTAINTY
In a nuclear decay measurement, uncertainty refers to the lack of complete
knowledge of a sample's decay rate due to the random nature of the decay process
and the finite length of time used to count the sample.

UPPER LEVEL DISCRIMINATOR (ULD)

An SCA's maximum acceptable energy level. Incoming pulse amplitudes above
this limit will not be passed. See also lower level discriminator.

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W
WHOLE BODY COUNTING (WBC)
In vivo determination of radionuclide activity levels in the human body. Used to
determine compliance with the regulations of various governmental bodies
regarding radiation exposure.

WINDOW
A term describing the upper and lower limits of radiation energy accepted for
counting by a spectrometer.

X
X RAY
A penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation emitted during electron
transitions in an atom to a lower energy state; usually when outer orbital electrons
give up some energy to replace missing inner orbital electrons

Z
ZERO, ADC
An ADC control which aligns its zero energy output with a specific channel in the
MCA's memory (usually channel zero).

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