- Radiation Analysis/Radiochemistry
MPC-9604

Overview
The MPC-9604 is a multi-detector, low background alpha/beta counting system designed for applications that require high sample throughput and high sensitivity. It is typically part of a Multi-Detector System (MDS) that consists of at least one MPC-9604 unit, a control PC, and software. This system is most frequently used in radiochemistry laboratories, such as those measuring strontium (Sr) in drinking water, which often have many sample that require count times of several hours. The unit contains four completely independent gas-flow proportional detectors, a guard detector, lead shielding, and all support electronics.
The MPC-9604 is designed to maintain very high sample throughput by combining several critical features into one system. It has the lowest background performance in the industry for a multi-detector system. Each detector has its own individual sample drawer, making sample loading and control completely independent and ensuring no interrupted counts on adjacent detectors when a sample drawer is opened. The MPC-9604 supports true count to MDA so counting time is automatically optimized for each sample. Gas-Pro™ monitors the unit for any P-10 gas fault and halts counting until it is corrected. Maintenance features include detectors and detector windows that are completely accessible from the front of the instrument, without having to lift a single lead brick. Detector windows can be changed in less than 10 minutes, without interrupting any other detector in the system. Every single electronic module is accessible from the front of the system, with no rear access required. Since each MPC-9604 is self-supporting, the only connections required are the PC interface, the P-10 gas supply, and AC power.
The design of the MPC-9604 and control software allow for easy expansion. Users can start with a four or eight detector system (one or two MPC-9604 units) and add additional detectors at any time.

Part Number: 105-9604
features:
- Manual Multi-Detector Sample Counter
- 2 in. (5.1 cm) Standard Planchet Diameter
- Four 2.25 in. (5.7 cm) Pancake Gas Proportional Detectors
- Cosmic Guard Detector
- Counting Gas Loss Detection
- Full Front Access for Ease of Maintenance
- Individually Removable Detectors
- Field Replaceable Detector Windows
- No Brick Lifting for Detector and Window Access
- Gas Conservation
- Can Combine Up to 16 Instruments for a Total of 64 Detectors
Specifications
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Type
Sample Detector | 4 ea. 2.25 in. (5.7 cm) diameter, pancake style gas flow proportional |
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Window | Aluminized, 80 µg/cm2 |
Guard Detector | 1 large area gas flow proportional |
Counting Gas | P-10, 60 cc/min at 10 psi |
Gas-PRO™ | Fail-safe P-10 monitoring system senses breaches in gas flow |
Shielding | 4 in. (10.2 cm) thick lead |
Sample Size | 2 in. (5.1 cm) planchets, 1/8, 1/4, 5/16 in. (3.2, 6.3, 7.9 mm) deep |
Count Modes | Alpha only, Alpha/Beta simultaneously |
Interface | Remote PC |
Data Export | RS-232 |
Power | 117 Vac, < 1.7 A, 50/60 Hz 230 Vac, < 0.9A, 50/60 Hz |
Environment | 10 – 40 °C (50 – 104 °F) 20% – 90% humidity, non-condensing |
Size (W x D x H) | 32 x 16 x 16 in. (81.3 x 41 x 41 cm) |
Weight | 1200 lb (545.5 kg) |
Performance
Typical Background
Alpha | 0.01 – 0.05 cpm (warranted ≤ 0.1 cpm) |
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Beta | 0.4 – 0.6 cpm (warranted ≤ 1.0 cpm) |
Typical Comparative Efficiency1
210Po | 42% |
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241Am | 42% |
230Th | 42% |
90Sr/90Y | 55% |
137Cs | 40% |
99Tc | 43% |
Crosstalk
Alpha-Beta | < 0.1% |
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Beta-Alpha | < 0.1% |
1. These efficiencies are provided for comparative purposes with other vendors providing their typical efficiencies using point sources at very close source (∼1 mm) to detector distances instead of area sources in realistic counting geometries. Protean specification sheets also contain efficiencies using thin distributed area sources with the source placed at the bottom of various planchet/holder sizes. The customer’s actual efficiencies will also vary depending on sample thickness, self-absorption, etc
