University of Nebraska-Lincoln Physics & Astronomy
Explore
  • Home
  • About ➤
    • Project Statement
    • Staff
    • Participating Schools
    • Cosmic Ray FAQ
    • Workshops
  • For Schools ➤
    • Upload Data
    • Schools Data
    • Checklist
    • Software Guide ➤
      • Getting Started
      • Setup and Configure
      • Troubleshooting
      • Explanation of Scans
    • Weather Database
    • Changing COM Port
    • Training and Video Module ➤
      • Polishing a Scintillaor
      • Making a Detector
    • GPS Guide
    • Oscilloscope Guide
  • For Staff ➤
    • Detector Scans
    • PMT Testing
    • Power Supplies
    • Other Guides
  • Links
  • Contact Us ➤
    • E-mail Us ➤
      • cropsolutions@unl.edu
    • Setup Adobe Connect Meeting ➤
      • Choose Date and Time
      • Connect to the Meeting
    • Call us @ (402) 472-6471
© 2015 Physics & Astronomy
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Last update: 07/03/2015
Contact webmaster

Detector Scans

The following things are advanced procedures for testing detectors. When you first make a detector or attach a new PMT, you should test the detector's threshold and efficiency.

Threshold Scan

A threshold scan tells you a minimum voltage reading from a signal in which the DAQ card detects the signal. Each PMT has its own "noise level" from its cabling and electrical current. A signal must have a voltage above the noise level in order to be counted, or seen by the equipment.

Threshold scan tutorial: Threshold Testing.pdf
Checkout the Explanation of Scans section under Software Guide:Explanation of Scans
More information on thresholds: SettingThresholds.doc

Efficiency Scan

An efficiency scan measures exactly that... the efficiency of the detector. A good efficiency is above 80%, but higher is always better. Unfortunately it is impossible to get an efficiency of 100%.

Efficiency scan tutorial: Efficiency testing.pdf
Checkout the Explanation of Scans section under Software Guide:Explanation of Scans
More information on efficiency: EfficiencyExplained.doc