BICKEL Gamma Ray Scintillometer

[zidex666]

I am in the process of restoring a client's BICKEL "Algor" Gamma Ray Scintillometer and have reversed engineered the schematic. I am presently awaiting new replacement parts. Will also improve on the circuit topology; specifically the digital counter and the metering pulse shaping circuits. The photomultiplier tube and the NaI(t) crystal in the probe unit are in pristine condition and very sensitive. I would like to contact anyone that has one of the BICKEL units to discover any extant documentation on its operation and a more detailed history.

Though it has some clever design features, it is however a basic gamma ray scintillometer with very limited spectral discrimination capabilities. Its main detection facilities include a 3 in. NaI(t) crystal coupled to RCA6342A Photomultiplier tube. However the probe unit has NO anti-magnetic shield typically made of monel or mu-metal that must surround the photomultiplier tube. Without such a shield the large photomultiplier tabe is susceptible to weak magnetic fields in its vicinity including the earth's magnetic field. It's omission would render any readings from the unit unreliable. The crystal is a standard unit manufactured by Teledyne Brown Engineering. Oddly, despite some of the claims made by others the unit is a crudely made home brew unit. It has a somewhat more complex circuit topology than units made by others such as PRI, Ludlum, Bicron, McFar, Eberline, Detectron, Sopris, etc. It is similar to units manufactured since the late 1940- to 1950's. In terms of sensitivity, it is equivalent to the legendary PRI-111C or a PRI-118 which are available unrestored from time to time on EBAY..

We have been restoring, upgrading, and refurbing vintage Radiation detection equipment for over 30 years.