Message from the President

The lessons learned from an economic downturn are threefold, and part of a natural cycle beyond the control of any individual company or industry segment. The tough decisions about R&D, cost reduction and sales activities denominate to some basic principles that keep businesses sound. As our industry moves into another year of severe budget cuts, research and federal spending in the nuclear and x-ray sciences has lessened. We are cognizant of the decline of R&D activities for our industrial customers also. However, at PGT we are energized by the streamlined processes within the company. New development techniques, third-party tools and a handful of excellent partners are enabling us to provide faster development cycles and lower costing new products. Examples of our new developments range from HPGe detector manufacturing processes to new electronics for digital pulse processing. Our development cycle for a new neutron detection module, using integrated electronics and a 3He detector, was measured in days, not months. Networked sensors from PGT are being deployed in major European nuclear power plant monitoring programs. We have recently re-examined our areas of core competence and focused our R&D in that area. By exploring the best options for additional R&D efforts, our growing line reflects products well suited for constrained budgets. It will be the firms that innovate and expand their product offerings during this quiet period that can address the new generation of needs that are sure to come from our users in research, academia and defense industries.

Juhani Taskinen

Detector and Detector Systems from PGT

The industry knows we specialize in high resolution detectors for X-Ray and Nuclear Spectroscopy. What is often overlooked is our flexible nature, allowing us to address a broad range of custom detector and detector system requirements also. Our off-the-shelf detector products feature analytical software, temperature controllers, electronics and a range of detector materials. However, to address the growing variety of needs in the market, we have expanded our custom products group. We can offer custom dipsticks, end caps, dewers and cryostats. For low background applications, we can offer several shielding and geometric alternatives. We can even work with your proprietary components to develop a turn-key solution. At PGT, we relish the challenge to make every customer a lifelong customer. To do this, we are committed to your most demanding requirements.

Liquid Nitrogen or Mechanical Cooling

When considering a research grade detector, the vetting of a well suited cooling method is paramount. Having been in the detector field for almost ½ a century, the technical staff at Princeton Gamma Tech Instruments is committed to a careful evaluation of your application needs. Jumping to conclusions about cooling methods based on industry buzz or quick assessments can lead to systematic shortcomings down the road. First take a look at the application and consider factors like cost, maintenance and support needs, portability and frequency of use. Give us a call, we are happy to discuss your needs and review the pros and cons of each cooling option you have. The earlier you contact us in the vetting process, the more we can contribute.

Features Representative – Gammasonics Australia

Princeton Gamma Tech Instruments is excited to announce a distribution and service relationship with Gammasonics www.gammasonics.com . Our growing team of regional manufacturer’s representatives currently address most of the European and Asian markets. With the expansion into Australia, we can now offer local support, repairs and sales to detector customers in that region. Gammasonics, founded in 1977, offers expertise in nuclear spectroscopy through its in-house technical staff, advanced product lines, collaboration with the University of Wollogong, and a group of world-class US and European companies it represents.

Crystal Recovery from Existing Detectors

Many private, state and national laboratories are interested in very low activity gamma spectroscopy. Certain modular cryostat designs are inherently high in background because the molecular sieve (vacuum getter) is located within a few centimeters of the crystal. If you have a detector with a Germanium crystal installed in the wrong cryostat style with too high background, PGT can transplant the crystal, from any manufacturer, into a new, low-background cryostat. This attention to value and service requirements has been a flagship commitment from PGT for decades.

Need to dispose of a detector ? Our qualified technicians can handle your disposal needs as well. We are compliant with state and federal agency regulations and can manage the removal of HPGe or SiLi detectors, dewers and cooling apparatus, or electronic components. Give us a call, we can address your disposal needs also.

Links:

• Informal Introduction to HPGe – Video
• Whats New – Webpage with Press Releases
• Literature Request – Manuals and Apps Notes
• Nuclear Spectroscopy for the Classroom