Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Both channels are fully independent and can output pulses simultaneously, each with its own pulse timing, amplitude, and width settings.

Yes. The Model 765 is designed to deliver 5V into a 50 Ohm termination while maintaining its specified rise time and pulse fidelity.

Yes. The Model 765 supports output voltage swings of ±5V into high-impedance loads, with adjustable output amplitude.

Yes. Each output channel operates fully independently in multiple pulse mode, with different pulse parameters available on each channel.

Pulse generators create precisely timed short-duration electrical pulses to trigger circuits. Current generators deliver regulated, controllable current independent of load impedance. Delay generators produce precisely timed trigger signals with programmable delays to synchronize multiple instruments. Signal generators create continuous waveforms for testing amplifiers and filters.

Yes. The Model 577 is customizable through the ordering chart, letting you choose how many channels carry options such as high power outputs, optical isolation, or impedance matching. Channels are paired.

A digital delay generator (DDG) produces precise, programmable time delays between trigger inputs and output pulses with picosecond-level resolution. A standard pulse generator instead creates pulses defined mainly by width and repetition rate.

Channel count depends on how many independent timing signals your experiment requires. Single-channel models suit simple triggers, while multi-channel models (up to 24 in the Model 588B) synchronize many instruments at once.

You can, but there are tradeoffs to weigh, and a current driver is often preferable. Correct interconnection matters most: standard hookup wire or adapters round off fast edges and degrade the pulse. Nanosecond performance needs matched stripline connections.

The biggest pitfall is interconnection. Standard wire and adapters cause severe pulse degradation, rounding off edges until a fast pulse can collapse into noise. Proper nanosecond performance requires matched stripline connections, so casual wiring approaches are fundamentally incompatible with fast laser diode driving.

BNC DDGs (Models 555, 575, and 577) act as the master timing hub. They receive a single trigger and generate multiple independently delayed output pulses with picosecond-level timing resolution.

BNC DDGs deliver timing resolution as fine as 250 ps with RMS jitter typically under 50 ps for standard configurations. The Model 765 provides a 70 ps rise time with 800 MHz bandwidth.

The Model 745T-20C offers 20 channels per enclosure and can be daisy-chained with additional units from a single trigger. Contact the factory for custom card-level solutions.

Channel indicator illumination shows that a channel is enabled and/or pulsing. The front panel indicators give convenient visibility when your control GUI sits in a different location.

Yes. The Model 525 can be powered by a standard USB phone charger and run without a PC. A PC is only needed to set or change pulse characteristics.

Yes. The rise and fall time for the Model 765 is 70 ps. Amplitude is ±5V, and 2-channel and 4-channel versions are available.

Yes. The Model 765 lets you set the pulse top and pulse baseline anywhere from -2.5V to +2.5V.

A function generator produces standard periodic waveforms (sine, square, triangle, ramp) at fixed shapes. An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) lets you define any custom waveform by uploading point-by-point data files.

Sample rate should be at least 2 to 5 times the highest signal frequency. Memory depth determines how long a waveform can run before it has to repeat.

Yes. Select BNC AWG models support differential output configurations, which matter for driving differential input devices and reducing common-mode noise.

Digital data applied to the rear panel External Trig/Gate/FSK/BPSK connector serves as the modulation source.

User data is downloaded from a host computer and stored in arb memory. Zero-intersymbol-interference or spectral shaping filtering is done mathematically on the PC before download.

This rear panel connector inserts modulation signals onto a carrier. Used with modes such as AM, FM, or SSB, it can produce communication signals at the SIG OUT connector.

Use these settings: baud rate 9600, data bits 8, parity none, stop bits 1, flow control none, and emulation VT 100.

Adjustments as small as 155 uV can be made on the keypad or spinner knob. Each click of the spinner makes this minimum adjustment.

No. The clamp preserves pulse amplitude when the tail time is long compared to the desired repetition rate, clamping to baseline before exponential decay. Delay time should be set to 3 or 4 us.

Symmetry would require a fast discharge of the capacitors that produce the exponential tails. The PB-5 instead prioritizes preserving exponential decay with a clean baseline return.

Best results come from multiple sweeps at the shortest ramp time (90 seconds). Set the number of sweeps to 999 for a run time of just over 24 hours.

Yes. An RS-232 port supports this. Put the PB-5 in remote mode using the main menu, then type help to list all commands.

Microwave signal generators produce precise RF or microwave output, from kHz to tens of GHz, as a reference or stimulus in test setups. They characterize amplifiers, test receivers, simulate radar signals, and verify satellite link budgets.

The most important specs are frequency range, phase noise, output power range, and switching speed. Phase noise is especially critical for radar, communications, and quantum computing applications.

Phase noise is the noise produced by fast, short-term fluctuations in a signal. It diminishes signal quality and increases error rates in communication links.

Phase noise results from random, short-term fluctuations in the phase of a waveform, caused by time-domain instabilities (jitter).

Yes. All BNC signal generators support GPIB, USB, LAN (Ethernet), and often RS-232 interfaces. They are compatible with SCPI command sets in LabVIEW, Python, and MATLAB.

LN+ offers better long-term performance, with improved Allan variance over longer time spans. For short-time performance the two are identical. Both add a 100 MHz OCXO, but LN+ has better long-term stability.

The standard Model 865 already has extremely low 1 GHz phase noise (-87 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz offset). A Low Noise option is available for the most demanding applications (-100 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz offset).

Call 415-453-9955, email info@berkeleynucleonics.com, or fill out a Get a Quote form. Typical response time is under 2 hours.

Yes. The Model 577 is customizable through the ordering chart, letting you select channels with options such as high power outputs, optical isolation, or impedance matching.

The multi-channel Model 855 fits up to 4 channels in each 1U 19-inch rack mount enclosure, and enclosures can be stacked as needed.

The Model 845 favors space-saving packaging. It eliminates most front panel controls in favor of a software GUI that can be developed and enhanced over time.

The Model 855B is BNC's flagship multi-channel RF and microwave signal generator. It offers up to 4 phase-coherent channels in a 1U rack enclosure, covers 300 kHz to 42 GHz, and delivers industry-leading phase noise.

Moore's Law and quantum computing follow fundamentally different scaling paths. Moore's Law tracks transistor density, while quantum computing scales by qubit count and error rate, so the two trajectories cannot be compared directly.

Noise parameters (Fmin and the optimal source impedance Zopt) define the lowest achievable noise. They guide the design of matching networks that improve performance.

Engineers take transistor samples and measure noise parameters across power-consumption settings and temperatures. That complete picture is what lets them select the right matching components for a receiver.

The PVX-4141 and PVX-4141B are functionally identical high-voltage pulsers. The B suffix denotes a chassis or packaging revision, not a change in electrical design or functionality.

It depends on the model and its output topology. Some support series connection for higher voltage or parallel connection for higher current, but not all models are designed for stacking.

Yes. Berkeley Nucleonics offers service agreements for many pulsed power products, depending on the instrument and its value. Coverage can include calibration, preventive maintenance, and repair.

The PCX-7500-EX pulsed laser diode driver has a maximum output voltage of 110V, which suits driving laser diode arrays and high-compliance-voltage diodes.

The Model PCM-7140-200 pulsed current driver is designed to handle laser diodes requiring up to 15 amps at 50 volts.

The PVX Series has no native LabVIEW drivers, but it can be controlled indirectly through LabVIEW by automating the external power supply and pulse generator that drive it.

Yes. The PCX-7500 remains available as a specialized high-current driver produced in limited builds. Lead times may vary with component availability.

The PVX-4140 and PVX-4141 are functionally equivalent, sharing the same electrical specifications and switching performance. The differences are mechanical: the PVX-4141 uses an updated chassis design.

The PVX-4000 series carries CE certification. Most other PVX models do not currently carry CE, UL, or other regulatory markings.

Almost all PVX Series pulsers require an external high-voltage power supply. The one exception is the PVX-4000-2kV-Int, which has an integrated internal high-voltage source.

Yes. Most BNC pulsed laser diode drivers offer adjustable pulse width, with continuously variable options that typically range from nanoseconds to microseconds depending on the model.

The standard EVO 1500-1400 has a ground-referenced output. The FLO (floating output) version has an isolated output where neither terminal is referenced to ground.

The PVX-4110 ships with three high-voltage cables (part number 6050-0061) and one 6-foot AC power cord (part number 1950-0002).

The PVX-4130 ships with a checkout sheet documenting functional verification testing. A formal calibration certificate can be requested at the time of new-unit purchase at no additional charge.

No. A single EVO Series power supply can only deliver one output voltage at a time.

No. The PVM-4210 does not include a 24 VDC power supply. An external 24 VDC supply must be purchased separately.

A laser diode driver is an electronic instrument that precisely controls the current delivered to a laser diode, enabling stable, repeatable, and safe optical output.

Each EVO Series power supply ships with a high-voltage output cable that has a male connector on one end and an unterminated end for custom connection.

Building a custom driver demands significant expertise, and a single design error can destroy expensive laser diodes. BNC drivers provide professionally engineered, tested, and calibrated solutions.

Yes. Every new PVX high-voltage pulser ships with a standard accessory kit at no additional cost, containing the cables and connectors needed for initial setup.

Pulsed power delivers high-energy electrical pulses over very short durations, from nanoseconds to microseconds. This produces instantaneous peak power levels far above what continuous systems can reach.

BNC pulsed power systems drive resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads, including laser diodes, Pockels cells, plasma chambers, solenoids, and spark gap electrodes.

Yes. BNC pulse delay generators such as the Model 577 are frequently used to trigger or gate high-voltage pulsed power systems.

Yes. They are often integrated in the same setup, with DDGs providing precise timing control and DEI high-voltage units delivering the actual high-current or high-voltage output.

Key precautions include using properly rated cabling and connectors, training personnel on lockout/tagout procedures, maintaining safe clearance distances, and never working alone.

The PIM-MINI-20 is a specialized pulsed current monitor with limited stock availability. Lead times and minimum order quantities vary with production schedules.

For SiPM detectors with integrated electronics, use the PTN 16-10 (0 to 16V, 0 to 10A). For SiPM detectors without integrated electronics, use the PTN 65-2 (0 to 65V, 0 to 2A).

The PCO Series laser diode driver modules carry a standard minimum order quantity for standalone purchases. Flexibility may be offered when they are bundled with other BNC instruments.

Both detectors offer exceptionally low background, which gives excellent sensitivity, and both come in large sizes for room-temperature gamma spectroscopy. CeBr3 gives superior energy resolution near 4% FWHM, while NaI(Tl) near 7% FWHM wins on large volume, high efficiency, and cost.

Neutrons interact with the nuclei of suitable elements such as 6Li to produce charged particles, which in turn produce scintillation light. An alternative technique uses 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) screens read out through wavelength shifters.

The main types are alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation, x radiation, and neutron radiation, the last of which is encountered in nuclear power plants and high-altitude flight.

James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932, which clarified the essential nature of the atomic nucleus. Detection then evolved from helium-3 gas detectors proposed in 1939, to lithium-6 scintillating glass, to modern crystals such as CLYC with strong gamma-neutron separation.

Gamma ray spectroscopy has moved from large lab-bound NaI(Tl) systems toward compact handheld RIIDs with on-board isotope libraries. Germanium detectors in the 1960s improved resolution, room-temperature scintillators enabled field-deployable devices, and modern RIIDs add techniques like Quadratic Compression Conversion for faster identification.

Yes. The SAM III series (SAM 950, SAMpack, and SAMmobile 150) is compatible with FEMA's RadResponder network at no additional cost to the end user.

Advantages include widespread smartphone familiarity, a quality display with excellent linearity and resolution, a detachable PDA for Bluetooth control from a distance, and the ability to add pictures or video to reports.

Variable Alarm Mode allows a low threshold for sensitivity while preventing false triggers from background changes. Auto Variable Trigger automatically optimizes that threshold setting.

The sigma trigger allows a low threshold for sensing radioactive sources while staying unaffected by false triggering from background changes. A sigma setting of 4 is recommended.

Some isotopes have many peaks with very low abundance (branching ratio), which makes them harder to identify. Examples include Ra-226 and U-238, which require closer proximity or longer acquisition times.

The SAM III instruments reach a maximum count rate of 100,000 to 150,000 CPS, depending on the amount of background and the number of energy peaks being processed.

BNC provides standard ANSI N42 compliant libraries for SNM, Medical, Industrial, and NORM, plus a user-defined library and an expanded ANSI compliant library for CeBr and LaBr detector upgrades.

Yes. The SAM 940+ detects and identifies special nuclear material including HEU and plutonium. It analyzes gamma spectra for characteristic peaks, recognizing a strong U-235 peak at 186 keV and confirming weapons-grade material through the Tl-208 photopeak at 2615 keV, which penetrates shielding.

An Li6 solid-state neutron detector is embedded in the NaI scintillator crystal. Both crystals share power and amplification circuits, while the MCA discriminates neutron counts from gamma counts.

The Model SAM 950 uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that provide reliable operation for over 8 hours before recharging.

BNC generally recommends a 2x4x16 inch detector unless you need greater efficiency at high photon energies. For U-235 and Pu-239 there is negligible difference between the two sizes.

The MetRad1 has two different LED indicators and two different alarm tones, so the operator can immediately tell which type of alarm is present.

The nukeALERT contains an Adjustment Switch for manual control of the lowest-level sensitivity. It should not be casually adjusted, since changing it reduces the highest sensitivity.

No. The nukeALERT 951 recalibrates itself on power-up and can run for many years with nothing more than a battery change.

The Model 907 measures alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It is a health and safety instrument optimized to detect low levels of radiation.

When the nukeALERT detects a lower natural background environment, it recalibrates itself to improve sensitivity.

Yes. BNC can supply LaBr3 detectors. For most applications CLLBC is recommended as an alternative, offering comparable energy resolution with dual-mode gamma and neutron detection.

BGO has very high density (7.13 g/cm3), high effective atomic number (Z=75), excellent chemical resistance, a non-hygroscopic nature, and a refractive index of 2.15. Note that Chinese export restrictions have constrained BGO availability.

NaI(Tl) has high light yield (about 38,000 photons/MeV), a density of 3.67 g/cm3, a scintillation decay time of 250 ns, typical energy resolution of 6.5 to 7.5% FWHM at 662 keV, and emission peaked at 415 nm.

Applications include nuclear medicine imaging, radiation detection at nuclear facilities, high-energy physics, homeland security screening, oil and gas well logging, X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy, radiation therapy beam monitoring, and industrial process control.

Yes, NaI(Tl) detectors can be temperature stabilized. Light output varies roughly -0.2% to -0.3% per degree Celsius, so stabilization matters for accurate energy calibration.

CLLBC offers energy resolution as good as 4.1% FWHM at 662 keV, dual-mode detection for both gamma rays and thermal neutrons, good light yield, and compatibility with both PMT and SiPM readout.

A scintillation detector converts ionizing radiation into visible light pulses, which a PMT or SiPM then detects and measures. The scintillation material chosen determines the detector's energy resolution and sensitivity.

A scintillator is a material that exhibits scintillation, emitting light when it interacts with ionizing radiation. Common examples include NaI, LaBr, CeBr, and CsI, each with distinct properties for specific applications.

To detect gamma rays efficiently, a material needs high density and high effective Z (protons per atom). Inorganic scintillation crystals with densities of 3 to 9 g/cm3 absorb penetrating radiation well.

Because photoelectron statistics drive accurate energy determination, materials with high light output are preferred. The emission wavelength should also match the sensitivity of the light detection device.

Decay time is the interval after which scintillation light intensity returns to 1/e of its maximum value. It matters for fast counting and timing applications.

Afterglow is the fraction of scintillation light still present after X-ray excitation stops. In halide scintillation crystals it can reach 5 to 10% after 3 ms. BGO, CeBr3, and CdWO4 are low-afterglow materials.

Each scintillation material has a characteristic emission spectrum with a distinct wavelength and intensity. That spectrum matters when choosing the readout device (PMT, photodiode, or SiPM) and the window material.

Properties vary widely by material. NaI(Tl) is hygroscopic and needs hermetic sealing. CsI(Tl) is plastic and deforms under pressure rather than cracking. Materials also differ in resistance to radiation damage and mechanical stress.

SiPMs are an alternative to standard PMTs, typically 3x3 or 6x6 mm and combinable into matrices. For small crystal sizes and low-voltage operation, SiPM readout can be advantageous.

Yes. The light output of most scintillators depends on temperature. Most show decreased light output at higher temperatures, due to competition between radiative and nonradiative transitions.

Both offer exceptionally low background for excellent sensitivity, and both are available in large sizes for room-temperature gamma spectroscopy. CeBr3 gives superior energy resolution near 4% FWHM, while NaI(Tl) near 7% FWHM is preferred for large volume, high efficiency, and lower cost.

The key properties are density and atomic number (Z), light output (wavelength and intensity), decay time (the duration of the scintillation light pulse), mechanical and optical properties, and cost.

Material selection depends on radiation type, required energy resolution, operating temperature range, count rate, and cost. NaI(Tl) is the most widely used general-purpose gamma detector.

Consider the scintillation material, the target radiation, and the operating conditions (lab, vehicle, space, oil well, and so on), since these drive environmental protection and form factor. Also clarify delivery timelines, quantities, whether you need complete systems or crystals only, and how the detector integrates into a larger apparatus.

Yes, and it is an important part of product selection. BNC adds special packing materials around the crystal and PMT, reaches IP54 or IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, includes ergonomic features such as handles, and can integrate the bMCA readout directly onto the detector for a cohesive portable system.

Neutrons interact with the nuclei of suitable elements such as 6Li to produce charged particles, which then produce scintillation light. An alternative technique uses 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) screens read out through wavelength shifters.

Radiation damage is a change in scintillation characteristics from prolonged, intense radiation exposure. It shows up as decreased optical transmission and a deterioration of energy resolution.

The main pitfall is interconnection. Standard wire and adapters degrade fast pulses, rounding edges until a clean pulse collapses into noise. Nanosecond performance demands matched stripline connections, so casual wiring is fundamentally incompatible with fast laser diode driving.

Yes. bGamma is a full spectroscopic package for NaI, HPGe, and other spectroscopy applications. It is the only spectroscopy package that is both Mac and Windows compliant.

Yes. BNC offers multi-year service agreements for Heinzinger high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies, including the EVO and PTN series.

Call 415-453-9955, email info@berkeleynucleonics.com, or fill out a Get a Quote form. Typical response time is under 2 hours.

The main headquarters is in California at 2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901. Sales offices are located throughout the United States and in many European and Asian countries.