Newly built GS detector with Hamamatsu R6233 PMT

[kotarak]

Hey guys,
just finished building a new, larger GS detector using Hamamatsu R6233 and 63mm x 63mm crystal.
The results are excellent - resolution according to PRA is 6.53% at 662keV.
A detailed (almost step-by-step) description of the whole build process is posted on my blog - http://blog.kotarak.net/

Thanks to Tom from iRad Inc. for the support with this!

[iRad]

Hi Andrey -
Nicely documented build, and very nice results. The larger detector is a nice addition to your stable.

[kotarak]

A friend of mine and I designed a Scintillator-based Radioactive Rock "Finder" utilizing this type detector. In the device we named "Gamma Dog" used for hunting radioactive minerals the detector is used in counting mode but we took a bit less-orthodox approach - the instrument produces Count-Rate based variable frequency tone which is controlled by an adjustable Squelch. The squelch level can be set manually or in "Auto-Set" it will sample the radiation background and will set the Squelch Level accordingly. A small intentional hysteresis in the response allows the user to follow the rate changes just by listening to the audio output.
Here is a quick preview - https://youtu.be/WujjeSRiiFk (link updated)
More details about the device and a few videos showing the instrument in actual use (Finding minerals) are available on my blog - http://blog.kotarak.net/2021/10/gamma-d ... -rock.html

[iRad]

Andrey - This is one of the nicest and most useful projects for field detecting I've seen recently. You and Charles have done an excellent job with its design and construction. I really like the idea of variable tones combined with a squelch control. FANTASTIC!

[Svilen]

Nice tool and video, thanks for posting!

[kotarak]

Thank you guys for the kind words! Really appreciate it!
Here is the demo of the UI and user interactions https://youtu.be/WujjeSRiiFk