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In this course, we will make extensive use of SpecTech Universal Computer Spectrometers (models UCS-20 and UCS-30) and the associated USX software. These spectrometers are a combination high voltage supply (low current only) and pulse height analyzer that accept input via BNC signal cable from a detector (broadly defined) and provide output via USB to a computer. To look at and analyze the output, we use the associated software application USX. USX is installed on all lab computers and can be downloaded for home use from the SpecTech website.

1 Universal Computer Spectrometer

1.1 UCS-20

Figure 1: UCS-20 front (top) and back (bottom).

The UCS-20 spectrometer (shown in Fig. 1) is an older model. The device has single positive high voltage output and separate inputs for direct, pre-amp, amplified, and multichannel scaling (MCS) signals. The value of the high voltage (0-2500 V) is set in software.

The inputs we will predominantly use in this course are as follows:

  • PREAMP IN: The input signal is negative and small. The input is processed by an amplifier inside the UCS with a gain set by software (“Coarse Gain” and “Fine Gain”) before being digitized and binned. 
  • DIRECT IN: The input signal is positive and between 0-8 V. No additional amplification occurs and the signal goes directly to digitization and binning.

The full UCS-20 operating and software manual is available here (for Windows) and here (for Mac).

1.2 UCS-30

Figure 2: UCS-30 front (top) and back (bottom).

The UCS-30 spectrometer (shown in Fig. 2) has one or two high voltage outputs (positive and/or negative) and a single BNC signal input. High voltage value is set in software (under “High Voltage/Amp/ADC) and the mode (direct, preamp in, amp in, or multichannel scaling (MCS)) is set from a drop-down menu.

The input modes we will predominantly use in this course are as follows:

  • Preamp In: The input signal is negative and small. The input is processed by an amplifier inside the UCS with a gain set by software (Coarse gain and Fine gain) before being digitized and binned. 
  • Direct Input: The input signal is positive and between 0-8 V. No additional amplification occurs and the signal goes directly to digitization and binning.

The full UCS-30 operating and software manual is available below, use the button on the top right to download it.

USX software

The software which runs the UCS-30 modules and which opens/manipulates the *.spu files is called USX and is available for free for download at the Spectrum Techniques website. Select the appropriate Windows 32-bit, Windows 64-bit, or Mac OS file listed for the UCS30 product. Note that only Pre Catalina (10.15) versions of Mac OS are supported now; this seems unlikely to change.

This download is useful if you want to view your *.spu files at home after you've left the lab, or want to manipulate ROIs.