Electronic Instrument Services
Department of Chemistry


...

High-Speed Digitizer for Neutron Radiography

The Nuclear Chemistry (deSouza) group is developing a novel approach for neutron radiography using Micro Channel Plate detectors (MCP). The electron cloud from the MCP detector passes through a wire plane, inducing a charge on the wires and allowing localization of the cloud. Two planes, one in X and one Y, allow 2D imaging. The key to achieving good spatial resolution is the digitization of the induced signals. Making use of neutron facilities requires high-speed digitizers capable of handling high rates. Two dual-channel PCIe commercial boards from AlazarTech capable of digitizing up to 2GSa/s are used. EIS has developed the C++ software and Qt user interface to control and handle data acquisition on a Linux based workstation. In addition to the signal digitization, time-of-flight measurement was also required. This is implemented with an independent PCIe FPGA board and custom interface board.

Image from an MCP detector using a low energy neutron beam

EIS contributors: Dave Bancroft (FPGA, software), Andy Alexander (custom board), Rose Burchfield (construction)


...

Low-Noise Amplifier for Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry

Low-noise amplifier for the M Jarrold group for Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry (CDMS).

EIS contributors: Andy Alexander (design), John Poehlman (part selection), Rose Burchfield (construction)


...

Sampling Chambers for Environmental Studies

The Raff group studies thermal and photochemical reactions that occur on environmental surfaces. The group has a strong interest in thermal and photochemical reactions of NOy (= NO, NO2, N2O5, HONO, HNO3, etc) and other oxidants with organic compounds on environmental surfaces. A campaign of measurements in Northern Michigan made use of 5 test chambers designed and built at the Department of Chemistry. The whole system was controlled with a computer system designed in EIS. Strong constraints was put on the system as it was operated exposed to the elements.

EIS contributors: John Poehlman (design, software), Andy Alexander (design), Rose Burchfield (construction)


...
...

Potentiostat for Electrochemistry

This general purpose potentiostat was designed and built for the Peters group. The emphasis was on low noise, stability, durability and simplicity rather than high speed and fancy features. To minimize the noise, the digital signals are optically isolated, the analog signals are differential, and the power supply is in a separate box. It is controlled using Labview programs written and maintained by members of the group.

EIS contributors: Andy Alexander (design), Rose Burchfield (construction)