Bild: ORTEC
Chemical and explosives identification with a ²⁵²Cf neutron source
Portable system for non-destructive identification of unknown chemicals and explosives in munitions, tanks, shielded containers and drums, even inside thick steel containers. A ²⁵²Cf source excites the nuclei in the object and the gamma spectrum is measured by a mechanically cooled trans-SPEC-N HPGe spectrometer; the software identifies the substance automatically. The neutron source is not included.
Download product sheet (PDF)All values with references – for tender documents
Specifications checked against the manufacturer’s documents on 2026-10-17
The number after each value refers to the source listed below. Values are as published by the manufacturer; the exact configuration is always confirmed in our quotation.
| Neutron source | ²⁵²Cf, 5 µg (2.5 mCi, 92.5 MBq), Frontier Technology Corporation Model 100; mean neutron energy 2.1 MeV; not included1 |
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| Relative efficiency | >50% typical (ANSI/IEEE 325-1996)1 |
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| Energy resolution at 122 keV | <1600 eV FWHM (warranted at optimum settings and depending on detector type)1 |
| Energy resolution at 1.33 MeV | ≤2.5 keV FWHM at 1,332 keV (warranted at optimum settings and depending on detector type)1 |
| Cooling | Stirling cooler, approx. 30 W; initial cool-down <10 hours at 25 °C1 |
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| Analysis | Automatic chemical analysis every 10 seconds: peak fitting, energy recalibration and decision-tree logic1 |
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| Battery life | Spectrometer: >3 hours internal at 25 °C with cold detector; up to 12 hours with external battery1 |
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| Power supply | Spectrometer: 10–17 V DC at 30 W; internal battery, external battery, vehicle battery (12 V DC) or line power with automatic switchover1 |
| Dimensions | Spectrometer: 39.4 × 16.3 × 34.9 cm (L × W × H)1 |
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| Weight | Spectrometer 11.1 kg; laptop 3.7 kg1 |
| Measurement technique | PINS: neutrons from a ²⁵²Cf source excite the nuclei and the characteristic gamma rays are measured with an HPGe spectrometer1 |
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| Spectrometer | ORTEC trans-SPEC-N, mechanically cooled HPGe (Stirling cooler, no liquid nitrogen) with built-in digital MCA, up to 16k channels1 |
| Automatically identified substances | Chemical warfare agents: BR-2, CG, CK, GB, HD, HN, VX, WL; riot agents: CA, CNB, CNS; practice fills: bleach, POP, sand, water-antifreeze; smoke chemicals: FM, FS, HC, WP1 |
| Use | Munitions (artillery, mortar, rockets, bombs, land mines), containers (gas cylinders, storage tanks, bags, brief cases, parcels) and chemicals (chemical war heads, explosives, gases, smoke)1 |
| Control computer | Panasonic Toughbook CF-31, Windows 7, 320 GB; 25 m connecting cables1 |
The data comes from the manufacturer’s published documents. Manufacturers may change specifications; the current configuration and performance are confirmed in the quotation.
The number after each value refers to the source listed below. Values are as published by the manufacturer; the exact configuration is always confirmed in our quotation.
Chemical identification with a neutron generator – no ²⁵²Cf or liquid nitrogen
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We help you choose the right configuration, detector and accessories for your measurement task.
ORTEC (AMETEK)