Topaz-X: A Compact Digital MCA for ED XRF

Introduction Topaz-X is a compact, stand-alone digital Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA), which is able to perform Pulse Height Analysis (PHA) of the signal produced by high resolution, Peltier-cooled semiconductor detectors, such as Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD) and Si-PIN diodes. Such detectors are commonly used in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED XRF) analysis or any X-ray spectrometry method. The device data communication and power is via a standard USB port (mini USB-B) to a typical PC or notebook. The MCA is provided with a basic software package that allows to control the device, and to acquire and visualize the energy spectrum. The software incorporates an advanced and easy-to-use “discovery” function that can be used to detect automatically all the BrightSpec MCAs in the neighborhood of the PC that are available for connection. Alternatively, the MCA can be provided with our full-featured and advance X-ray spectrometry software package - bAxil. Using bAxil the user can perf