ORTEC

Detective-EX/DX Series ®

Portable Neutron and Gamma Nuclide Identifiers

Administrator’s Manual

Printed in U.S.A. ORTEC Part No. 931050 0610

Manual Revision M
 Advanced Measurement Technology, Inc.
a/k/a/ ORTEC®, a subsidiary of AMETEK®, Inc.

WARRANTY
ORTEC* warrants that the items will be delivered free from defects in material or workmanship. ORTEC makes no other
warranties, express or implied, and specifically NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

ORTEC’s exclusive liability is limited to repairing or replacing at ORTEC’s option, items found by ORTEC to be defective
in workmanship or materials within one year from the date of delivery. ORTEC’s liability on any claim of any kind, including
negligence, loss, or damages arising out of, connected with, or from the performance or breach thereof, or from the
manufacture, sale, delivery, resale, repair, or use of any item or services covered by this agreement or purchase order, shall in
no case exceed the price allocable to the item or service furnished or any part thereof that gives rise to the claim. In the event
ORTEC fails to manufacture or deliver items called for in this agreement or purchase order, ORTEC’s exclusive liability and
buyer’s exclusive remedy shall be release of the buyer from the obligation to pay the purchase price. In no event shall ORTEC
be liable for special or consequential damages.

Quality Control
Before being approved for shipment, each ORTEC instrument must pass a stringent set of quality control tests designed to
expose any flaws in materials or workmanship. Permanent records of these tests are maintained for use in warranty repair and
as a source of statistical information for design improvements.

Repair Service
If it becomes necessary to return this instrument for repair, it is essential that Customer Services be contacted in advance of
its return so that a Return Authorization Number can be assigned to the unit. Also, ORTEC must be informed, either in writing,
by telephone (865.482.4411) or by facsimile transmission (865.483.2133), of the nature of the fault of the instrument being
returned and of the model, serial, and revision (“Rev” on rear panel) numbers. Failure to do so may cause unnecessary delays
in getting the unit repaired. The ORTEC standard procedure requires that instruments returned for repair pass the same quality
control tests that are used for new-production instruments. Instruments that are returned should be packed so that they will
withstand normal transit handling and must be shipped PREPAID via Air Parcel Post or United Parcel Service to the designated
ORTEC repair center. The address label and the package should include the Return Authorization Number assigned.
Instruments being returned that are damaged in transit due to inadequate packing will be repaired at the sender’s expense, and
it will be the sender’s responsibility to make claim with the shipper. Instruments not in warranty should follow the same
procedure and ORTEC will provide a quotation.

Damage in Transit
Shipments should be examined immediately upon receipt for evidence of external or concealed damage. The carrier making
delivery should be notified immediately of any such damage, since the carrier is normally liable for damage in shipment.
Packing materials, waybills, and other such documentation should be preserved in order to establish claims. After such
notification to the carrier, please notify ORTEC of the circumstances so that assistance can be provided in making damage
claims and in providing replacement equipment, if necessary.

Copyright © 2010, Advanced Measurement Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.

*ORTEC® is a registered trademark of Advanced Measurement Technology, Inc. All other trademarks used herein are the
property of their respective owners.
ADDITIONAL WARRANTY STATEMENT
Please note that the personal digital assistant (PDA) that controls the
Detective-EX/DX is intended exclusively for the tasks detailed in the
Detective-EX/DX Series Operator’s Manual and Administrator’s Manual.
Using this PDA for any other purpose could void your warranty.

In addition, the Detective-EX/DX contains no user-serviceable parts.

Except for the battery hatch on the left side panel, which can be opened
when the battery requires replacement, breaking the seal on the case voids
your warranty. The Detective-EX/DX should be opened only by ORTEC-
authorized service personnel.

If you have any questions about the use or maintenance of this instrument,
please contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center
first.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

ADDITIONAL WARRANTY STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Safety Instructions and Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Cleaning Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

1. GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1. How the Detective-EX Stores Spectra and Search Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.1. Live-Spectrum Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.2. Stored Spectrum and Search Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.3. File Formats and Filenaming Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2. A Note About the DX and DX-100 User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.1. Survey Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1.1. Other Survey Mode Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1.1.1. Auto-Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1.1.2. MCA Mode (Connected to a PC Via the CONTROL Port) . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2. Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2.1. Fixed Y/Scale Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2.2. Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2.3. Pause/Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2.4. Identify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3. SNM Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3.1. Technical Description of SNM Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4. Identification Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4.1. Pause/Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.4.1.1. No Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.4.1.2. Real Time Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.4.2. Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.4.3. Intense (View Highest-Intensity Spectrum Lines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4.4. Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4.5. Viewing the Found and Suspect Nuclides — “Classify” ID Display Mode . . . 15
2.5. Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.1. Display Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.5.1.1. Full/Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.5.1.2. <> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.5.1.3. >< . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.5.1.4. Lin/Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.5.2. Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.5.3. Pause/Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.6. Advanced Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.6.1. Calibrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.6.1.1. Start the Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.6.1.2. Apply New Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.6.1.3. Restore Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.6.1.4. Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.6.2. Cal. Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.6.3. Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.6.4. Turn Cooler Off/On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.6.5. Spectra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.6.5.1. Ask for Sample Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.6.5.2. Default Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.6.5.3. Data Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.6.5.4. File Save Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.6.5.5. Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.6.5.6. Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.6.6. Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.6.7. Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.6.8. Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.6.8.1. Set or Change Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.6.8.2. Allow Display of Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.6.8.3. Buttons Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.6.8.4. About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.6.9. SNM Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.6.10. Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.6.11. More >> (Advanced Setup, Page 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.6.12. Dose Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.6.13. Identify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.6.13.1. Real Time Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.6.13.2. ID Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.6.14. List Nuclides (View Analysis Library) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.7. Identification Messages — “Classify” ID Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.7.1. SNM Search Mode Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.7.2. Identification Mode Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.7.2.1. Messages on the Main ID Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.7.2.2. Messages on the Found Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
2.7.2.3. Messages on the Suspect Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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2.7.3. Comments on Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

2.7.3.1. Possibly Cd109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.2. Am241, Count for > 3 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.3. Pu, including Am 241 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.4. Pu Count for > 5 minutes for Weapons/Reactor Grade . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.5. Pu - can’t determine type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.6. Weapons Grade Pu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.7. Highly enriched uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.7.3.8. Depleted uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.9. Natural uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.10. Low enriched uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.11. Elevated uranium concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.12. Possible beta emitter or unknown gamma, view spectrum . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.13. NORM background OK, keep counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.7.3.14. Count rate is high. May require longer count or more distance . . . . 37
2.8. Identification Messages — “ANSI” ID Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS

PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3.1. Connecting the Detective-EX to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3.2. Quantitative Analysis of Detective-EX Spectra in GammaVision-32 and ISOTOPIC-32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.3. Detective-EX MCB Properties in MAESTRO-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.3.1. Amplifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3.3.2. Amplifier 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3.3.3. Amplifier PRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
3.3.4. ADC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
3.3.5. High Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3.3.6. Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3.3.7. About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.3.8. Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.3.9. Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4. SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.1. Electrical and Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.2. Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.3. Docking Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.4. PAC-II Power Adaptor/Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.5. PC Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.6. Shipping the Detective-EX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

5. TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5.1. “Error Saving .SPC File” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5.2. If the Detective-EX Program Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5.3. If You Drop the Detective-EX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5.4. If the Detective-EX Will Not Turn On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
5.4.1. Starting from an Exhausted Battery (Reinitialization) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
5.5. If the Docking Station Spontaneously Shuts Down and Restarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.6. If the Display is Lost or Posts a “Display Disabled” Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.7. If the “USB Host Connected” Message Persists After Disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.8. “Batteries Hot or Overheated” Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.9. If You Forgot the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.10. Calibration Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.10.1. Calibration Takes Very Long to Complete or Does Not Finish at All . . . . . . 59
5.10.2. The Centroid, FWHM, or Calibration Adjustment Value Has Changed
Dramatically Since the Last Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.11. ActiveSync: “Couldn’t Find Any Mobile Device” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.12. Troubleshooting MAESTRO-Related Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.12.1. MAESTRO-32 Does Not Connect with the Detective-EX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.13. Other Problems with the Detective-EX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

6. CHANGING THE INTERNAL BATTERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

6.1. Units Bought Before July 1, 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

7. CALIBRATION SOURCE STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

viii
 Safety Instructions and Symbols
This manual contains up to three levels of safety instructions that must be observed in order to
avoid personal injury and/or damage to equipment or other property. These are:

DANGER Indicates a hazard that could result in death or serious bodily harm if the safety
instruction is not observed.

WARNING Indicates a hazard that could result in bodily harm if the safety instruction is not
observed.

CAUTION Indicates a hazard that could result in property damage if the safety instruction is
not observed.

In addition, the following symbols may appear on the product:

DANGER–High Voltage

ATTENTION–Refer to Manual

Please read all safety instructions carefully and make sure you understand them fully before
attempting to use this product.

Cleaning Instructions
To clean the instrument exterior:
! Disconnect the instrument from the power source.
! Remove loose dust on the outside of the instrument with a lint-free cloth.
! Remove remaining dirt with a lint-free cloth dampened in a general-purpose detergent and
water solution. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

CAUTION To prevent moisture inside of the instrument during external cleaning, use
only enough liquid to dampen the cloth or applicator.

! Allow the instrument to dry completely before reconnecting it to the power source.

ix
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

x
 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Detective-EX/DX® Administrator’s Manual is a supplement to the Detective-EX/DX
Operator’s Manual (Part No. 931040), and contains technical information that is generally not
needed on a daily basis.

The ORTEC Detective-EX is a portable nuclide identifier using both a high-purity germanium
(HPGe) detector and a moderated neutron detector for detection and identification of
radionuclides. The Detective-DX is identical to the -EX but has no neutron detector. In both
manuals, the term Detective-EX refers to all members of this instrument family, exceptions
noted.

The user interface is a high-resolution color display coupled with a touch panel. This
combination gives an easy-to-use instrument both for reading the display and control. The result
is a lightweight and rugged instrument that delivers unmatched identification and detection for
the needs of nuclear security. The unit is shipped calibrated and ready to use.

The Detective-EX uses an advanced method1 for identifying and classifying radionuclides
according to the requirements of ANSI N42.34 and other standards, as follows:

! Industrial, such as 57Co, 60Co, 133Ba, 137Cs, 192Ir, 241Am, and 75Se
! Medical, such as 18F, 67Ga, 99mTc, 111In, 123I, 131I, 133Xe, and 201Tl
! NORM,2 such as 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, and 238U
! Nuclear, such as 233U, 235U, 237Np, 239Pu, and 252Cf
! Special Nuclear Material (SNM), such as 235U and 239Pu

Other lists of nuclides can be supplied on special order. This method is able to determine the
nuclides present very quickly based on the gamma-ray peaks in the spectrum and on other
aspects of the total spectrum. It does not operate in the traditional mode of spectrum collection,
then analysis. In the mode of radionuclide identification in inspections, the counting geometry
and shielding are not known, so the quantity of a nuclide cannot be determined.

The Detective-EX/DX’s SNM Search Mode3 lets you quickly sense the possible presence of
special nuclear materials 235U and 239Pu, even if other radioactive materials are present. It is
designed for rapid area searches as well as fast scanning of containers or vehicles. It perfectly
complements the Detective-EX’s radionuclide Identification Mode by allowing you to
expeditiously locate possible SNM and then test more rigorously using Identification Mode.

1
UCRL-MI-151849, March 2003, RadScout Hand-Held Radioactive Material Identifier, M. Rowland, et. al.
2
NORM — Naturally occurring radioactive material. NORM-Th is naturally occurring thorium and decay
products.
3
Patent pending.

1
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

SNM Search Mode also takes advantage of the fact that the comparatively innocuous 133Ba can
be used as a plutonium surrogate. Advanced users can choose to enable a “search for 133Ba”
feature within SNM Search Mode both for training purposes and for developing a site’s concept
of operations.

Before using SNM Search Mode in the field, you must develop your concept of operations for
most effective use. The Detective-EX allows you to adjust the length of the SNM data sampling
(“dwell”) time. ORTEC specialists are available to help you optimize the instrument settings;
contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

The operating system is Microsoft® Windows® Mobile™, with the Detective-EX as the only
program running. The operation of the software is controlled by soft buttons in much the same
way as any other Windows program. A soft keyboard is automatically displayed when any
alphanumeric input is needed.

The Detective-EX can store a nearly unlimited number of Identification Mode spectra and
Search Mode count-rate “strip charts” in ORTEC file formats, ANSI N42.42 formats, or both.
See Section 1.1 for more information on file types and filenaming conventions. The files can be
stored on the internal flash ROM disk or on user-supplied, removable SecureDigital (SD)
memory cards.4 Files stored on the internal or removable memory can be downloaded via the
DATA port to any PC running under Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4, XP®
Professional SP2 or higher, or Vista® Ultimate. See the “File Transfer to PC” chapter in the
accompanying Operator’s Manual. Alternatively, if using memory cards, you can copy the
spectrum files directly to your PC with a memory card reader and Windows Explorer.

The Detective-EX comes with either a docking station or the more compact PAC-II power
adaptor/ charger (collectively referred to as charger bases). Both types of charger base contain
the charger for the internal battery. The docking station’s fans both cool the charger unit and
dissipate heat from the Detective-EX when the unit is docked. The docking station can also hold
a weak (~37 kBq) 137Cs source used to verify the energy calibration.

Checking the Detective-EX’s calibration is easy, whether you have a docking station with its
built-in 137Cs source; a PAC-II charger, which does not include a calibration source; or are
working in the field under battery power. The Detective-EX allows you to choose the calibration
source that best suits your needs — even the 40K naturally present in concrete or low-sodium salt
substitute.

On PCs running under Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, you can use MAESTRO®-32 MCA
Emulator Software (A65-B32) v6.05 or later, communicating via CONNECTIONS-32 v6.09.06 or

4
Some earlier models also support CompactFlash™ (CF) memory cards.

2
 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

later,5 to view the search and identification spectrum files from the Detective-EX. In addition,
you can use MAESTRO-32 to control the data collection in the MCA and store the resulting
spectra to disk as ORTEC spectrum files. For more information on these operations, see
Chapter 3.

IMPORTANT
The Detective-EX is designed to function with the Regional Settings in
Windows Mobile set to the English (United States) region and all of its
default settings, as discussed in Section 5.13. Using other than the
factory default settings can cause operational problems.

1.1. How the Detective-EX Stores Spectra and Search Files

The Detective-EX can store spectra on (1) the PDA’s built-in flash ROM disk, (2) its My
Documents folder, and (3) user-supplied memory cards. Note that the built-in flash ROM disk
and removable storage cards are non-volatile, that is, they will be retained even if the
Detective-EX internal batteries are exhausted. However, in older units, there is some possibility
that the contents of the My Documents folder could be volatile, meaning any files stored
there might be lost if the batteries are exhausted.

1.1.1. Live-Spectrum Memory

The current Identification Mode spectrum or Search Mode “strip chart” is stored in the MCB
memory. If you do not save this spectrum or search, it will be lost when you begin the next data
acquisition.

1.1.2. Stored Spectrum and Search Files

Identification Mode spectra and Search Mode “strip charts” are stored in the internal memory or
on removable memory cards. You can store as many spectra as the storage medium allows.

To save the current gamma-ray spectrum or search strip chart in stored-spectrum memory, press
the Save button.

The Spectra dialog (Section 2.6.5.3) allows you to select the spectrum file formats and storage
location; and view the contents of the stored-spectrum memory (Fig. 29 on page 26).

5
To determine the CONNECTIONS-32 version being used by MAESTRO-32, open File/About MAESTRO....

3
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

1.1.3. File Formats and Filenaming Conventions

Identification Mode Spectra — These can be saved on the ID Mode and (spectrum) Display
screens. You can choose to store them in either the ORTEC .SPC file format; in ANSI N42.42
format, which is compatible with the ANSI N42.42-2006 standard; or both.

The .SPC file contains three parameters in addition to the contents specified in the ORTEC
Software File Structure Manual for DOS and Windows Systems (Part No. 753800; hereinafter
called the File Structure Manual):

! Total neutron counts for each acquisition (zero for Detective-DX/DX-100®).

! The neutron count rate at the time the spectrum file is saved (zero for
Detective-DX/DX-100).
! A “normal” or “100” entry that indicates whether the spectrum was collected using a
standard Detective-EX/DX or a Detective-EX/DX-100.

The ANSI .N42 file is formatted for an InstrumentType of RadionuclideIdentifier. It includes

the spectrum, calibration, sample description, and identification results; neutron count rate (if the
unit is so equipped); and GPS location log (if so equipped).

The filename format of the identification spectrum is:

YYYY_MM_DD_hh_mm_sss

Search Mode “Strip Charts” — Search Mode data are “strip charts” of count rate vs. elapsed
time. These can be stored in the ORTEC .CHN format; or in ANSI N42.42 format, formatted for
an InstrumentType of PersonalRadiationDetector.

The .CHN format is simpler than the .SPC format, and is described in the File Structure Manual.

The .N42 file includes the sample description and a count rate log for the gamma strip chart; the
count rate log for the neutron strip chart (if the unit is so equipped); and GPS location log (if so
equipped).

The format filename of the search files is:

YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SSStype

When saving in the ORTEC .CHN format, two files are saved for each search, one for the gamma
count and one for the neutron count; type is either G for the gamma-ray chart or N for the
neutron chart.

4
 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

When saving in ANSI .N42 format, only one file is generated; type is B indicating that it
contains both the gamma-ray chart and (for units so equipped) the neutron chart.

1.2. A Note About the DX and DX-100 User Interface

The illustrations and text in this manual reflect the user interface for the Detective-EX and
EX-100 models, which have neutron detectors. Note that because the DX/DX-100 do not have
neutron detectors, the user interface does not display neutron count-rate meters, dose alarm
controls, search controls, property pages, etc.

5
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

6
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE
IDENTIFICATIONS
2.1. Survey Mode
The Survey Mode dialog (Fig. 1) displays the gamma count,
neutron count and gamma dose rates; the Detective-EX
overall Status; the battery status, and the current power
source (e.g., internal battery, external power source, dock-
ing station or PAC-II power adaptor/charger; see Fig. 2).

The three rate indicators show the count rate or dose as

both a value and a bar graph. The color of the bar changes
with increasing rate. The lowest rate is green, then yellow,
then red. At very low rates, the bar is a triangle to indicate
a small reading. The count rate for red is 20,000 counts per
second (cps) for the Gamma Count Rate bar, 500 cps for
the Neutron Count Rate bar and 10000 µSv/h for the
Gamma Dose Rate.
Fig. 1. Survey Mode Ready;
When the gamma dose rate goes above the limit, the Detective-EX Internal Battery
WARNING!!! High Gamma Dose Rate! message is displayed Charging.
in the Instrument Status Area and an alarm sounds. You can
optionally choose to set lower gamma dose rate and neutron
count rate alarms using the Dose Alarm setup feature under the Advanced Settings screen
(Section 2.6.12).

Date/Time, Location, Battery Status, Storage Space — The top line in the upper right corner
alternates between the date/time and the latitude/longitude. The lower line switches between
from the battery status (charging vs. time to full discharge) and the number of spectra that can be
stored in the currently selected storage location.

Instrument Status Area — The center of the Survey Mode screen posts messages about the
Detective-EX’s hardware status. The Status is either READY (Fig. 1) or Detector is warm. In
addition, warnings such as the high gamma dose rate message are posted in this part of the
screen.

Power Source Indicator — The four power source icons are

shown in Fig. 2. Clockwise from upper left: (1) operating
on internal battery, (2) unit properly connected to the power
adaptor/charger, 3) operating on external power, and 4) battery
charging. Fig. 2. Power Source Icons.

7
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

! Tap Search to go to the Search Mode.

! Tap SNM to use the SNM Search Mode.
! Tap Identify to go to the Identification Mode.
! Tap Display to display the current spectrum. The spectrum display can be disabled on the
Settings dialog in Advanced Setup. If it is disabled, the button is hidden.
! Tap Advanced to display the Advanced Setup dialog.

2.1.1. Other Survey Mode Displays

The Survey Mode screen takes on different features when the Detective-EX is automatically
checking its calibration, and when connected to a host PC for use as an MCA.

2.1.1.1. Auto-Calibration
The Detective-EX can be configured to automatically check its own calibration. When the
auto-calibration routine is running, the screen appears as shown in Fig. 3. The Time remaining
readout in the center of the screen shows the estimated time remaining to complete the auto-
calibration sequence. For more detailed information, see Section 2.6.2.

2.1.1.2. MCA Mode (Connected to a PC Via the CONTROL Port)

The Detective-EX’s rear-panel CONTROL port allows you to use the unit’s MCA board as a
high-performance HPGe detector system, controlled by MAESTRO-32 or other ORTEC
CONNECTIONS-32 software applications. The touchscreen display is disabled and the Status
indicator reads USB host enabled, as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 3. Auto Calibrating. Fig. 4. Unit in MCA Mode.

8
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.2. Search Mode

The Search Mode screen is a “strip-chart” emulation that
displays total count rate (gamma and neutron) vs time (see
Fig. 5). The gamma-ray data are presented in blue and the
neutron data are shown in red. Because the spectrum display
area is limited, a modified version of scientific notation is
used when labeling the Y axes for numbers greater than or
equal to 10,000: The number of trailing zeros in the number
is replaced by “E” followed by the number of zeros. Some
examples: 10,000 becomes 1E4; 12,000 becomes 12E3.

To start a new search session, tap Search in the Survey

Mode or any other dialog with the Search button. If you
wish to save the spectral data from the preceding identifi-
cation or search session, you must do so before starting
this new search. A search continues until you stop it, but
Fig. 5. The Search Mode “Strip
only the most recent 221 count rate values are displayed Chart” Emulation with Auto-
and can be saved. Scaled Y-Axis.

To set the dwell time per channel, see Section 2.6.7.

Tap Back to return to the Survey Mode.

2.2.1. Fixed Y/Scale Y

The Y-axes can be autoscaled so the current maximum
Y value for both counts is near the top of the graph, as in
Fig. 5. To choose this mode, tap Scaled Y. The button
label will change to Fixed Y.

Alternatively, the vertical scaling can be fixed such that

the gamma-ray data are scaled from 0 to 10000 cps and the
neutron data are scaled from 0 to 500 cps (see Fig. 6). To
use this mode, tap Fixed Y. The button label will change
to Scaled Y.

2.2.2. Save
To save the displayed search results, tap Save. If the Ask
for Sample Description option is enabled on the Spectra Fig. 6. The Search Mode Strip
setup screen (Section 2.6.5.1), a soft keyboard will open so Chart with Fixed Y-Axis Scaling.

9
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

you can enter a description for this data acquisition; tap Set to complete the save. If saving in
ORTEC .CHN format, two count-rate “strip chart” files are saved for each search, one for the
gamma count (labeled with a G suffix) and one for the neutron count (with an N suffix). For
ANSI .N42 files, one file with both gamma and neutron count rate (with a B suffix) is created.
The filenames are automatically generated (Section 1.1.2) and saved according to the settings on
the Spectra screen (Section 2.6.5).

2.2.3. Pause/Continue
To pause a search acquisition, tap Pause. The Pause button
will change to Continue, as shown in Fig. 7. Tap Continue
to resume the search. The display will be continuous, that is,
it will not show a gap for the paused time.
Fig. 7. The Search Mode, Paused.
2.2.4. Identify
To go directly to the Identification Mode, tap Identify. If you have not already saved the current
Search data, they will be lost when you change modes.

2.3. SNM Search Mode

SNM Search Mode is based on HPGe’s exceptional
ability to separate the signal from noise in a gamma
spectrum. Since HPGe cleanly separates radionuclide
gamma “signature” energies, just a few counts at the
SNM specific energies suggests the likely presence of
a SNM radionuclide. Gamma energies from non-SNM
radionuclides are rejected as “noise.” Random “noise”
interference is minimal, particularly as the SNM Search
Mode accumulates counts in a series of very short data
acquisitions. In this mode, the Detective-EX display
shows SNM data only, excluding other radionuclides.

In a sense, SNM Search Mode is the opposite of Identifi-

cation Mode. SNM Search Mode is optimized to not miss
SNM as you quickly scan an area (that is, SNM Search
Fig. 8. The SNM Search Mode
Mode is tailored to avoid false negative readings). It pre-
Bar Graph Display.
sents a bar-graph display related to the probability that
SNM is present (Fig. 8). The bar graph is proportional
to the square of the quality (or confidence) factor, Q (defined in the following section), and
automatically adjusts its maximum and minimum based on the current value of Q2. A stable

10
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

high-probability reading means certainty, while an unstable reading during a fast scan is
analogous to a survey meter reading. Higher is more significant than lower.

First you scan the area looking for the site with the highest stable readings. Upon locating a
potential hotspot, you can then run Identification Mode to verify the presence of a suspect
radionuclide with very little risk of an incorrect identification (i.e., a false positive). This takes
longer than the SNM search operation but yields a final determination as to whether or not SNM
is present in detectable quantities.

Data acquisition dwell time and alarm threshold parameters are set on the SNM Search dialog
under Advanced Settings; see Section 2.6.9.

For a walkthrough of a successful SNM search, see the SNM Search Mode discussion in
Chapter 3 of the Operator’s Manual.

2.3.1. Technical Description of SNM Search Mode

The Detective-EX is a real-time identifier. Once an identification has begun, it checks
continuously to determine if the criteria for pronouncing an identification are met for every
nuclide in its list. This process is used in SNM Search Mode, however, the identification process
rapidly repeats according to a user-selected “dwell time.”

The Detective-EX nuclide identification scheme uses a “peak quality factor” to quantify the
quality of a gamma-ray peak in the spectral data. This quality factor, Q, is defined as:

where:
G = the gross counts in a region of the spectrum centered at the gamma-ray peak energy
with a width based on the FWHM.
B = the number of background counts in the same region
σN = the uncertainty associated with the value G!B. The numerator of this equation
represents the signal or net counts in the peak. The denominator is the statistical error
expected in the signal.

In the standard radionuclide Identification Mode, one of the tests applied to the peaks in the
spectrum is “does the value of σN exceed a threshold value which is internal to the software and
can be different for different nuclides?” This is a “necessary but not sufficient” criterion for
identification.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

In SNM Search Mode, there is no threshold value as such. The value of σN for 235U and 239Pu
(and 133Ba) is computed and re-computed in real time, and plotted on the display as the square of
the computed value.

If no SNM (or 133Ba) is present, the display bar graph “bounces” around statistically. The degree
to which it bounces depend on the background count rate and the dwell-time setting. When a
source is encountered, the reading stabilizes and the closer the instrument is to the source, the
higher is the value of the index displayed, just as for a traditional rate meter but this time
specific to 235U or 239Pu (or 133Ba).

Once the high and stable reading has been verified, Identification Mode can then be used, while
keeping the Detective-EX in a fixed position. A confirmatory identification means that all of the
required conditions have been met, and not just the Q value used to locate suspicious material in
SNM Search Mode.

2.4. Identification Mode

The Identification Mode (Fig. 9) identifies the radio-
nuclides present; and displays them either by classifi-
cation (e.g., Industrial, NORM, Other, etc.) or by radio-
nuclide name, according to the current ID Display Mode
selected on the Identify setup screen (Section 2.6.13).

In “Classify” mode, the list of detected radionuclides

are available on the ID, Found Nuclides, and Suspect
Nuclides report pages. When counting to a Preset time
(Section 2.6.13.1), only the high-confidence “Found”
IDs are displayed (i.e., no suspects).

Tapping Intense displays a continuously updating list of

the 10 highest-confidence peaks currently being detected.
For units so equipped, a GPS report page is also available.
Fig. 9. Identification Mode Screen
(showing the “Classify” display
An identification can be started by tapping the Identify mode).
button on any screen that displays the button.

NOTE The existing spectrum is erased before the new data are collected. If you wish to
save the data from the most recent identification or search session, you must do
so before starting the new identification session.

12
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

During data acquisition, a simulated green LED flashes at the top left of the screen. On units
with GPS capability, the top right of the screen alternates between the elapsed acquisition time
for the current spectrum and the GPS coordinates. In addition, the neutron count rate and the
gamma dose rate continually update.

If counting to a Real Time Preset, the elapsed time readout

counts from zero to the preset (Fig. 10). See also Section 2.4.1.2 Fig. 10.
on using the Pause/Continue button to extend acquisition.

Tap Save to end this identification acquisition and save the data to a .SPC file (see
Section 2.4.2). To end without creating a .SPC, tap Back. This immediately returns you to the
Survey Mode. The current spectrum data is retained in memory until the next identification or
search. You can display the spectrum (and decide whether or not to save it) from the Survey
Mode screen.

If there is enough activity to make an identification, the

Detective-EX displays one or more messages indicating
the identifications. Display format depends on the ID
Display Mode chosen on the Identify setup screen
(Section 2.6.13.2). Classifications include Industrial,
Medical, Nuclear, Nuclear Plutonium, Nuclear
Uranium, Nuclear Neptunium, NORM, NORM-TH,
and Other. Also displayed are the suspected nuclides,
i.e., nuclides that have been identified, but for which
the confidence level is too low to list them as “found.”
Figure 9 shows the identifications in the Classify mode.
The Detective-EX has found three Industrial nuclides,
one Other nuclide, and one suspected NORM. For
comparison, Fig. 11 shows the same identifications as
displayed in the ANSI mode.
Fig. 11. Identification Mode
Screen, ANSI Mode.
2.4.1. Pause/Continue
This button works two ways, depending on whether you are counting to a real-time preset or not.

2.4.1.1. No Preset
To pause an identification acquisition, tap the Pause button. In pause mode, the Pause button
changes to Continue and the simulated LED is hidden (see Fig. 7). While paused, you can
display and/or save the spectrum.

13
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

To resume the identification process, tap Continue. When acquisition resumes, the LED
indicator reappears.

NOTE Tapping Pause or Continue does not clear the spectrum. Pausing simply suspends data
collection. When you continue, subsequent data are added to the existing spectrum
until you stop acquisition by tapping Back to return to the Survey Mode screen. The
spectrum is retained in memory until you start the next identification or search
acquisition. If you have not already viewed and/or saved the spectrum, you can do so
from the Survey Mode screen.

2.4.1.2. Real Time Preset

In preset mode, the Pause/Continue button works slightly differently than when counting
without a preset.

During the preset counting interval, Pause/Continue works the same as when counting without
a preset.

After the preset time has elapsed and counting has ended, the Pause button changes to
Continue. At this point, you may either Save the spectrum, go Back to the Survey Mode screen,
or extend acquisition for another period equal to the preset. (You may extend the count time
even if you have already saved the spectrum.) d

Example: If we set a preset of 15 seconds and tap Identify, the Elapsed Time readout at the top
right of the screen counts up from 0 of 15 to 15 of 15, data acquisition stops, and the Pause button
changes to Continue. If we then tap Continue, the readout updates to 15 of 30 and counts up to
30 of 30, at which point data acquisition again stops.

See also Section 2.6.13.1.

NOTE Tapping Pause or Continue does not clear the spectrum. Pausing simply suspends data
collection. When you continue, subsequent data are added to the existing spectrum
until the next preset is reached or you tap Back to return to the Survey Mode screen.
The spectrum is retained in memory until you start the next identification or search
acquisition. If you have not already viewed and/or saved the spectrum, you can do so
from the Survey Mode screen.

2.4.2. Save
Tap Save to save the current identification spectrum and results in the selected data storage
location and file format (see Sections 2.6.5.3 and 2.6.5.4, respectively). The results are saved in
the spectrum file and can be viewed both on the Detective-EX (Section 2.6.5.5) and in

14
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

MAESTRO-32. An identifying text description can also be entered if the Ask for Sample
Description feature is enabled on the Spectra dialog (Section 2.6.5.1).

2.4.3. Intense (View Highest-Intensity Spectrum Lines)

Tap Intense to view the list of most intense gamma-
ray lines in the spectrum. The most intense lines list is a
continuously updating list of the 10 best peaks currently
detected (Fig. 12). The nuclides and energies are based
on the internal nuclide library. The rank is based on the
confidence value for the peak. When a detected energy
matches an entry in the library, its tentative identity is
posted on this screen, by nuclide name (in column 1) and
peak energy (column 2). Column 3 displays the confidence
factor (also called the Q value). The higher the confidence
value, the more likely that the peak is a real gamma ray peak
and not background noise. It should be understood, however,
that a peak could be seen in the top lines list but the corres-
ponding nuclide not reported as found or suspect. This is
because there are many other tests applied before an identity
Fig. 12. View Top Lines.
or tentative identity is chosen. In general, any value over 25
is a good peak.

To return to the Identification Mode, tap Back.

Tap Save to save the current spectrum and identification results in the selected data storage
location.

Tap Display to show the current spectrum, as discussed in Section 2.5.

2.4.4. Search
To go directly to the Search Mode, tap Search. If you do not Save the current spectrum and
identification results data before going to Search Mode, these data will be lost.

2.4.5. Viewing the Found and Suspect Nuclides — “Classify” ID Display Mode
In the Classify ID Display Mode, to see the list of specific nuclides found, tap any Found
or Suspect message (see the examples in Fig. 9). Suspects are nuclides for which the
characteristic spectral lines are present, but not enough counts have been accumulated for
definitive identification.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

Found nuclides (high-confidence IDs) and suspect IDs are displayed as shown in Figs. 13
and Fig. 14, respectively. Section 2.7.2 lists the Identification Mode messages for the
Classify mode. Section 2.8 shows the list of radionuclide IDs in the current library.

Tap Save to save the current spectrum and identification results to disk. To select the data
storage location and format(s), see Section 2.6.5.

Tap Display to show the current spectrum, as discussed in Section 2.5.

Tap Back to return to the Identification Mode.

Fig. 13. View Found Nuclides. Fig. 14. View Suspect Nuclides.

2.5. Display Mode

The Display Mode (Fig. 15) plots the gamma-ray energy spectrum (histogram) currently in
memory. This feature gives the expert spectroscopist more information about the nuclides
present. The expert can then make more informed decisions about the material under
investigation.

To enter Display Mode, tap the Display button.

Tap Back to return to the previous dialog.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

Because the spectrum display area is limited, a modified

version of scientific notation is used when labeling the
Y axes for numbers greater than or equal to 10,000: The
number of trailing zeros in the number is replaced by “E”
followed by the number of zeros. Some examples: 10,000
becomes 1E4; 12,000 becomes 12E3.

The spectrum display has a vertical marker line. Just

below the spectrum is shown the position of the marker
in the spectrum (in keV) and the counts in the marker
channel. To move the marker line to a different location,
tap the desired position. The marker will jump to that
location and the values will update correspondingly. You
can also press on the display area and drag the marker
left or right to the new location.
Fig. 15. Spectrum Display Mode.

NOTES The Detective-EX allows you to lock the

Display Mode so that users cannot view the spectra being collected. See
Section 2.6.8.2 for more information.

You can also view identification spectra stored on the Detective-EX’s flash ROM
disk, My Documents folder, or removable storage card, as described in Section 2.6.5.5.

2.5.1. Display Controls

The spectrum display control buttons are just below the display. You can use them to show the
spectrum in different ways for better interpretation of the spectrum.

2.5.1.1. Full/Zoom
In the expanded view, the Full button restores the display to 8000 channels. In the full view, the
Full button changes to Zoom and zooms the display to the last horizontal expansion before Full.
In this way, you can easily look at the peaks in the spectrum in detail (Zoom in) and move
quickly from energy to energy in Full mode.

2.5.1.2. <>
The <> button (Zoom in) expands the display by halving the number of channels, so the peaks
appear wider. The center channel of the new display will be the marker position.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.5.1.3. ><
The > < button (Zoom out) contracts the display by doubling the number of channels, so the
peaks appear narrower. The center channel of the new display will be the marker position or
channel 0 is the leftmost corner of the display or channel 8192 is the rightmost corner of the
display.

2.5.1.4. Lin/Log
The Lin button changes the vertical display to linear mode and automatic vertical limits. The
Lin button changes to Log in the linear mode. Tap Log to change the vertical scale to log mode.

2.5.2. Save
Tap Save to save this spectrum and identification results to the selected data storage location
(see Section 2.6.5.3).

2.5.3. Pause/Continue
If the Detective-EX is acquiring data, you can pause the data collection and resume it later,
according to the instructions in Section .

2.6. Advanced Setup

This section tells how to use the Advanced Setup dialogs, which cover tasks that are not
typically required every work session and that require some knowledge of gamma-ray
spectrometry and/or radiation monitoring. A password can be set to enter the Advanced Setup
dialog, if you wish to restrict access to these commands and status screens (see Section 2.6.8.1).
The Detective-EX saves all settings and uses them until the next time they are changed.

If a password has been set, the screen shown in Fig. 16 will be displayed. Tap in the password
text box to show the soft keyboard. Enter the password and tap OK. If you entered the correct
password, the first Advanced Setup dialog will be displayed (Fig. 17).

If the password was incorrect, the Password invalid message will be displayed. Try to enter the
password again, or tap Back to return to the Survey Mode dialog. If no password was set,
the Detective-EX will go directly to the first Advanced Setup dialog (Fig. 17).

Tap Back to return to the Survey Mode.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

Fig. 16. Password Entry. Fig. 17. Advanced Setup, First

Page.

2.6.1. Calibrate
The Detective-EX offers both manual and automatic calibration features. Calibrate is the
manual calibration feature, which you can use at any time to check or change the calibration.
The calibration source to be used must be pre-set within the Cal. Settings function, as discussed
in Section 2.6.2. The Detective-EX has two default source entries, 137Cs or 40K. You can
optionally define up to four sources.

2.6.1.1. Start the Calibration

Position the indicated calibration source in front of the detector window, then tap the Start
Calibration Now button shown in Fig. 18. The button name will change to Abort Calibration
and the time remaining to complete calibration will be displayed (Fig. 19).

You can abort the calibration process at any time; no changes will be made to the calibration
coefficients (i.e., the existing calibration will still be in effect).

At the end of the calibration period, a message will indicate that the calibration (1) is OK, (2) is
usable but can be improved, or (3) has failed. If the calibration succeeded, the display will
show the energy of the calibration source peak. Ideally, the Centroid value should be:

! 137
Cs 661.62 keV
! 40
K 1460.75 keV

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

Fig. 18. Start Manual Calibration Fig. 19. Waiting for Calibration to
Using Source Peak Energy. Complete.

or the user-defined peak energy entered on the Cal. Settings setup screen under Advanced
Settings.

In addition, the screen will display the full width at half-maximum (FWHM), an indicator of
peak shape; and the calibration adjustment (Cal. Adjust). The calibration adjustment is the
difference between the spectrum position of the calibration source’s peak in the new calibration
and the position of the same peak in the current calibration, expressed in energy, as a percentage
of the actual peak energy.

2.6.1.2. Apply New Calibration

In some cases, the Detective-EX will display a message saying the Calibration can be improved,
as shown in Fig. 20. The choice is yours whether to use this new calibration or not. Usually, the
proposed change in calibration is of the order of the one shown in Fig. 20, and sometimes
it is even zero. If it is larger than 0.3%, the cause should be investigated.

To use the new calibration, tap Apply New Calibration.

If the calibration fails, an Unable to Check Calibration! message will be displayed. For
more detailed calibration troubleshooting, see Section 5.9.

When the calibration is satisfactory, tap Back to return to the Advanced Setup dialog.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.6.1.3. Restore Default

If you have adjusted the calibration, either at this time
or sometime in the past, you can restore the calibration
coefficients to the factory settings by tapping Restore
Default. The factory values are always available.

2.6.1.4. Back
If you do not want to apply the new calibration, tap Back
to return to the Advanced Setup dialog.

2.6.2. Cal. Settings

This screen (Fig. 21) allows you to turn the auto-calibra-
tion check on and off, decide how often to auto-calibrate,
and either choose a factory-defined calibration source Fig. 20. Apply Manual
(137Cs or 40K) or define up to four sources with the Setup... Calibration.
feature. The calibration source selection made here also
determines the source used for the manual Calibrate
feature discussed in Section 2.6.1.

NOTE The Auto Calibration operation will only

take place if (1) the feature is enabled,
(2) the Detective-EX is in Survey Mode,
(3) the detector is Ready, (4) the instrument is
properly connected to the docking station or
PAC-II charger, and (5) the appropriate source
is in position. If you disconnect the unit from
the charger base or exit Survey Mode while
calibration is in progress, the calibration will
end and any new calibration data will be
discarded.

To enable auto-calibration, mark the Enable box by

tapping it. Unmark the box to disable auto-calibration. Fig. 21. Turn Auto-Calibration On or
Off.
To choose a source, tap the source list at top left and
make your selection.

To define up to four sources, tap the Setup... button to open the screen shown in Fig. 22. Tap in
the Source Name field and use the soft keyboard to enter the name, tap in Energy Peak fields

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

and enter the peak energy in keV, then tap Back to return to the calibration settings
screen. The newly created entry will now be available on the source list.

To set the auto-calibration interval, tap the Schedule lists and select the desired time of day as
well as one of the following intervals (Fig. 23):

! Daily.
! Weekly; choose the Day of the week.
! Monthly; tap in the Day of the month field and use the soft keyboard to enter the day.

Fig. 22. User-Defined Calibration Fig. 23. Scheduled to Auto-

Sources and Peak Energies. Calibrate with 137Cs at Midnight
Each Day.

Tap Back to return to the Setup dialog.

During auto-calibration, the screen displays the time remaining to completion of the calibration,
as shown in Fig. 3. This number is the real time for the calibration spectrum acquisition, based
on the peak count rate.

Tap Back to interrupt the auto-calibration and return to the Survey Mode. The Detective-EX will
continue trying to calibrate until the calibration peak passes the quality test.

If you disconnect it from the charger during auto-calibration, the routine will attempt to run to
completion and must be aborted. When the unit is reconnected to the power adaptor, auto-
calibration will start at the next scheduled interval.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.6.3. Audio
This feature (Fig. 24) lets you adjust the number of counts per click for the clicker signals and
the volume. As soon as you make your selection. The neutron sensitivity is lower than the
gamma sensitivity because the neutron count rate is lower.

Tap Back when finished.

2.6.4. Turn Cooler Off/On

When the cooler is ON, the button reads Turn Cooler OFF. To turn the cooler off, tap this
button, then confirm (see Fig. 25). The button title will change to Turn Cooler ON. Tap it to
restart the cooler. Depending on ambient conditions, cooling the detector to operating
temperature takes approximately 12 hours, after which the bias voltage automatically turns on.

Fig. 24. Adjust the Audio Fig. 25. Confirm Cooler Off.
Sensitivity.

NOTE The Detective-EX internal battery does not have enough power to cool down
the detector from room temperature, therefore, external power is required. In addition,
an exhausted internal battery should be charged for 2 hours before the Detective-EX is
cooled using external power. If you are using a standard 12 V auto-mobile battery
as the external power source, the detector cooling can significantly discharge the
battery. Cooler startup without external power cause operational anomalies; these are
discussed in troubleshooting Sections 5.5 and 5.6.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

NOTE We recommend that the internal battery be recharged before it is exhausted. There is a
chance that operating until the battery goes dead could result in the loss of data stored
on the internal flash ROM disk (data on SD or CF card will not be affected), and the
instrument could require the reinitialization procedure discussed in Section 5.4.1.

You can turn the cooler off for 10–20 minutes without significantly warming the detector. As
soon as the cooler is restarted, the Detective-EX typically shows a Ready status within a few
seconds.

The cooler can be restarted at any time, without harming the detector crystal, regardless of
whether the detector is warm, partially cooled, or cooled to the operating temperature range.

2.6.5. Spectra
Figure 26 shows the Spectra dialog. You can select
the spectrum description options and storage location,
choose spectrum file formats, view the list of stored
spectrum files, display a stored spectrum and its identi-
fication results, or delete a spectrum file.

2.6.5.1. Ask for Sample Description

Each spectrum has an identifier stored with it. You can
set a description for each spectrum or they can all have
the same description. If you want to enter a new descrip-
tion for each spectrum, tap the checkbox. If there is a
checkmark in the box, each time you save a spectrum,
you can enter the description in the dialog.

2.6.5.2. Default Description Fig. 26. Spectrum Description and

Location Settings.
The default description will be stored with every spectrum
unless you change it. You can change it here, or you can
change it when the spectrum is stored if you have marked the Ask for Sample Description
checkbox.

Tap in the dialog to display the soft keyboard and tap Set to save your entry.

When the Ask dialog is shown, the default description is in the dialog. You can add to it or
change it completely. This is a good way to enter the main portion of the description ahead of
time, then add a unique identifier, such as a sequence number, to each spectrum as it is acquired.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.6.5.3. Data Location

This field (Fig. 27) allows you to choose the storage device or location for the spectrum storage.
The location you choose becomes the default location on the spectrum display dialog.

Tap the down arrow to open a list of available locations. If SD or CF cards are not installed, they
will not be on the list. Tap the location you want.

Note that spectrum files stored on the built-in flash ROM disk and user-supplied memory cards
are non-volatile, that is, they will be retained even if the Detective-EX internal batteries are
exhausted. However, in some earlier Detective-EXs, the contents of the My Documents folder
could be volatile, meaning any files stored there might be lost if the batteries are exhausted.

2.6.5.4. File Save Format

The Detective-EX application generates two basic types of files:

! Identification Mode gamma-ray spectra.

! Search Mode”strip chart” histograms of gamma (and optional neutron) count rate vs. time.

The File Save Format feature (Fig. 28) lets you choose to generate these files as ORTEC file
formats, ANSI N42.42 format files (compatible with ANSI N42.42-2006), or both. For more
detailed information on file formats and filenaming conventions, see Section 1.1.3.

Fig. 27. Select the Data Location. Fig. 28. Select the Data Format(s).

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.6.5.5. Display
Tap Display to display a stored spectrum. This will open
the Choose File dialog (Fig. 29), displaying the Data Loca-
tion and the list of spectra in that location. The display
controls are discussed in Section 2.5. Use the scrollbar to
browse up and down through the list of spectra.

To view the spectrum, tap the name and then tap Choose.

To view the stored-spectrum reports (ID, Found Nuclides,

Suspect Nuclides, Top Lines, and [if so equipped] GPS )
for the currently displayed spectrum, tap the ID button and
select the report type from the list. For more information
on viewing these reports, see the section entitled “Display-
ing Stored Spectra” in the Operator’s Manual.
Fig. 29. Spectrum Directory.
Tap Back when finished viewing spectra.

2.6.5.6. Delete
To delete a stored spectrum, tap Delete. This opens the Choose File dialog (Fig. 29), displaying
the Data Location and the list of spectra in that location.

Use the scrollbar to browse up and down through the list of spectra.

To delete a spectrum, tap the name and then tap Choose.

You will be asked to either confirm or cancel the deletion.
There is no “undo” for this deletion.

Tap Back when finished deleting spectra.

2.6.6. Status
The Status dialog (Fig. 30) allows you to monitor the
hardware diagnostic and data acquisition parameters.

The top three fields show the Live Time, Real Time,
and Dead Time for the most recent Identification Mode
acquisition. The Real Time is the time elapsed since
the data acquisition was started. The Live Time is the
amount of time that the Detector is available to accept
Fig. 30. Status Dialog.

26
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

another pulse (i.e., is not busy), and is equal to the real time minus the Dead Time (the time the
Detector is not available).

The remaining nine indicators are live (i.e., they continually update to reflect current hardware
conditions). For the first few seconds after you open this screen, the nine live indi-
cators normally read Waiting, after which they acquire their actual current values or status
messages (e.g., OK, Error, Waiting, Off).

On startup and until the detector has cooled and the HV has automatically turned on, Detector
Temp, Cold Tip Temp, and Bias Voltage read Error. Once cooldown is complete and the HV
automatically turns on, these indicators change to OK. When the cooler is switched off, the Cold
Tip Temp and Cooler Drive indicators read OFF.

The OK indicator means the parameter is within the allowed limits. The Error indicator means the
parameter is outside the limits and must be corrected before the Detective-EX can be used. If the
Waiting indicator persists beyond a few seconds or if you receive an Error reading for any
of these parameters after the nominal cooldown time has elapsed, contact your ORTEC
representative or our Global Service Center.

When all parameters are within allowed limits, the Survey Mode screen shows the Ready status
message.

2.6.7. Search
This dialog (Fig. 31) allows you to set the data Collection
Time for Search Mode. Search Mode tracks the total counts
vs a specified period of time and presents the results in a
“strip chart” emulation. The total counts in each time period
are represented on the vertical scale, and the time period
always occupies one pixel width on the display (that is,
changing the dwell time does not change the width of the
lines on the strip chart). As soon as you choose a new
dwell setting, the change will go into effect.

2.6.8. Settings
The Settings (Fig. 32) dialog allows you to change the
Administrator Mode password, lock access to Display
Mode so users cannot view the spectrum, and turn on the
beep when a button is tapped. Fig. 31. Search Time per
Horizontal Unit Selection.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.6.8.1. Set or Change Password

The Detective-EX allows you to set a password to
prevent unintended changes to the Advanced Setup para-
meters. The password is case sensitive, alphanumerical,
can include spaces, and can be of any length. There is
no factory default.

To set the password, tap in the Password field to open

the soft keyboard, as shown in Fig. 32. Enter the password
and tap Set. The soft keyboard will close. To put the pass-
word into effect, tap Back twice to return to the Survey
Mode screen.

To remove the password, tap the end of the password, delete

all the characters by tapping the backspace soft key ( µ ),
then tap Set. Tapping the spacebar to overtype the charac-
Fig. 32. Settings Dialog.
ters does not work (there is no overtype capability, plus the
“space” is treated as any other character).

NOTE There is no master password so be sure to record your password, including uppercase
and lowercase letters. If you lose this password, contact your ORTEC representative or
our Global Service Center for assistance.

2.6.8.2. Allow Display of Spectrum

This allows an administrator to hide the Display Mode
spectrum from the operator by locking the spectrum
display. When the display is locked, none of the Display
buttons will be shown on the dialogs. To lock the display,
tap the checkbox to mark it. To restore access to the
spectrum display, tap the checkbox again to unmark it.

! To prevent spectra from being viewed on the

Detective-EX screen, lock the Display Mode and
set a password in the Advanced Setup dialog
(Section 2.6.8.1).

! If the spectra must not be viewed at any time by

anyone, we additionally recommend that the field
operator not save them. Fig. 33. Enter a Password and
Tap the Set Button.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

NOTE If spectra are saved (whether or not the Display Mode is locked), a properly configured
PC and MAESTRO-32 can be used to view the saved spectra. In such cases,
the Detective-EX, and any memory cards containing spectra, must be secured from
unauthorized access.

2.6.8.3. Buttons Beep

If you wish to hear a beep when a soft button is tapped on any dialog, tap the checkbox to mark
it. This beep is used to confirm that you have tapped the button.

2.6.8.4. About
This dialog (Fig. 34) shows the instrument type, firmware and application software version
numbers, and serial number. Tap Back to return to the Settings dialog.

2.6.9. SNM Search

Use this dialog (Fig. 35) to set the search acquisition Dwell Time for the SNM Search Mode;
and the detection threshold for Pu-239, U-235, and Neutron radiation. Advanced users can also
choose to enable and configure a detection threshold for the plutonium surrogate Ba-133 for
training and site setup purposes (see the discussion in Section 2.3). If the Ba-133 search is
enabled, four bar graphs will appear on the SNM Search Mode screen instead of just three (see
Fig. 8 on page 10). The Dwell Time setting is the same for all SNM radioisotopes.

Fig. 34. The About Dialog. Fig. 35. Configure the SNM
Search.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

To set the Q Alarm Threshold for each gamma emitter, tap the radioisotope name, tap in the
threshold field to open the soft keyboard, enter the desired value, and tap Set. Figure 35 shows
the setup dialog for Pu-239.

Figure 36 shows the setup dialog for Neutron count rate, in counts per second. Tap the
radioisotope name, tap in the threshold field to open the soft keyboard, enter the desired
value, and tap Set.

To enable the Ba-133 search (Fig. 37), mark the Include in Search checkbox and enter the
desired alarm threshold value, then tap Set. When this feature is disabled, the Ba-133 bar graph
is not displayed on the SNM Search Mode screen.

Tap Back to return to the Survey Mode screen.

Fig. 36. Enter the Neutron Count Fig. 37. Enable the Ba-133 Search
Rate Threshold. and Alarm Threshold.

2.6.10. Exit
The Exit button is used to close the Detective-EX software application and go to the PDA
operating system. This is not normally used, but could be needed for special applications. A
confirmation dialog is displayed before the program exits. To return to the Detective-EX
program without exiting, tap Cancel.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

To restart the Detective-EX application, tap Start, then locate and tap on the DetectiveEX
program shortcut. (The DetectiveEx executable file is located in the My Device\Program Files\
DetectiveEX folder.)

2.6.11. More >> (Advanced Setup, Page 2)

Tapping the More >> button displays the second Advanced Setup page, shown in Fig. 38. To
return to the first Advanced Setup page, tap << More.

2.6.12. Dose Alarms

In all modes, the Detective-EX alarms audibly and visually at a gamma dose rate of
10,000 µSv/hr (1 rem/hr) and/or the neutron count rate >500 cps. The Dose Alarms dialog
(Fig. 39) allows you to optionally set lower thresholds for one or both types of radiation. You
can also choose to display the gamma dose rate in millirem per hour (mrem/h) or microsieverts
per hour (µSv/h).

Fig. 38. Advanced Setup, Second Fig. 39. Set the Dose Rate Units
Page. and Alarm Thresholds.

To set either Threshold, tap in the field to display the soft keyboard. Enter the desired value
then tap Set.

To change units, tap either the µSv/h or mrem/h radio button to mark it.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.6.13. Identify
This dialog (Fig. 40) lets you set a counting preset;
and choose to display radionuclides by category (e.g.,
Industrial, Medical, NORM) or by radioisotope name.

2.6.13.1. Real Time Preset

To set a preset acquisition time for Identification Mode,
tap in the field to open the soft keyboard, enter a count
time from 1 second to 9999 seconds, and tap Set.

When counting to a preset, only the high-confidence

“Found” IDs are displayed (i.e., no suspects).

In preset mode, the Pause/Continue button works

slightly differently than when counting without a preset.
Fig. 40. Identification Mode
During the preset counting interval, Pause/Continue Setup.
works the same as when counting without a preset.

After the preset time has elapsed and counting has ended, the Pause button changes to
Continue. At this point, you may either Save the spectrum, go Back to the Survey Mode screen,
or extend acquisition for another period equal to the preset. (You may extend the count time
even if you have already saved the spectrum.) For more information and an example, see
Section 2.4.1.2.

NOTE Tapping Pause or Continue does not clear the spectrum. Pausing simply suspends data
collection. When you continue, subsequent data are added to the existing spectrum
until the next preset is reached or you tap Back to return to the Survey Mode screen.

2.6.13.2. ID Display Mode

Choose whether to display identifications by radioisotope name (ANSI); or by category
(Classify), which include Industrial, Medical, Nuclear, Nuclear Plutonium, Nuclear
Uranium, Nuclear Neptunium, NORM, NORM-TH, and Other.

For operating details in both modes, see Section 2.4.

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 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.6.14. List Nuclides (View Analysis Library)

This screen (Fig. 41) displays the current library of
radionuclide IDs and library version information. The
complete list of IDs is in Section 2.8. You can also
create a text file containing the library list by tapping
Save to File. This creates the file Nuclides.txt in the
Detective-EX’s \My Documents folder.

Fig. 41. View the Radionuclide

Library.

2.7. Identification Messages — “Classify” ID Display Mode

Following are the category-type identifications displayed in the “Classify” ID Display Mode
(Section 2.6.13). Double-tapping on these IDs opens the Found and Suspect screens, which list
the specific radionuclides or gamma rays detected. The radionuclide IDs for the v3.03 nuclide
library are listed in Section 2.8.

2.7.1. SNM Search Mode Messages

! Continue
! Suspect SNM. Position Detective to maximize reading and press Identify.

2.7.2. Identification Mode Messages

2.7.2.1. Messages on the Main ID Mode Screen
! Found Nuclear (#) where # is the number found (does not include number of suspects)
! Found Medical (#)
! Found Industrial (#)
! Found NORM (#)
! Found Bremsstrahlung (#)
! Found Other (#)

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

! Found Nuclear Uranium

! Found Nuclear Plutonium
! Found Nuclear Neptunium
! Found NORM-Th
! Neutron source present
! Suspect Nuclear (#) where # is the number of suspects (does not include number found)
! Suspect Medical (#)
! Suspect Industrial (#)
! Suspect NORM (#)
! Suspect Bremsstrahlung (#)
! Suspect Other (#)
! Suspect Nuclear Uranium
! Suspect Nuclear Plutonium
! Suspect Nuclear Neptunium
! Suspect NORM-Th

If the count rate is within certain limits, but the criteria for positive identification have not yet
been met, you might also see:

! Possible nuclear material

! Medical - positron emitter
! CR consistent with background
! elevated radiation field, keep counting
! possible beta emitter or unknown gamma, view spectrum
! NORM background OK, keep counting

If the count rate is >30,000 counts per second, you will see:

! Count rate is high. May require

longer count or more distance.

2.7.2.2. Messages on the Found Screen

Following are the possible messages when you tap a Found entry on the main ID Mode screen.

If uranium has been found you will see one of the following (these are mutually exclusive):

! Highly enriched uranium

! Depleted uranium
! Low enriched uranium
! Natural uranium

34
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

In addition to one of these, you might also see:

! Elevated uranium concentration

If plutonium is found you will see one or more of the following:

! Pu
! Pu, including Am 241
! Pu - Can’t determine type

and one of the following:

! Pu Count for > 5 minutes for Weapons/Reactor Grade

! Reactor Grade Pu
! Weapons Grade Pu

If neutrons are detected through gamma rays, you will see:

! n on H neutrons on hydrogen have been identified

If the count rate is >30,000 counts per second, you will see:

! Count rate is high. May require

longer count or more distance.

The following special messages might also be displayed:

! possibly Cd109
! Am241, Count for > 3 minutes

In addition, any individual nuclide found will be listed by name (e.g., Am241, K40, Cf252-249).

2.7.2.3. Messages on the Suspect Dialog

The Suspect dialog can contain any of the messages on the Found dialog.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.7.3. Comments on Messages

The following explains the criteria for displaying some of the messages.

2.7.3.1. Possibly Cd109

This message is displayed if the 88-keV peak is present in the spectrum. There are gamma- and
X-rays from many different sources at or near this energy. There are no useful confirming lines
to eliminate 109Cd as a possibility.

2.7.3.2. Am241, Count for > 3 minutes

This message is displayed if the 59-keV peak is located, but the 662 keV and plutonium peaks
are not present. It could mean that a 241Am source (such as a smoke alarm) is present, or it could
be a shielded plutonium source. The longer count time will allow the higher energy gamma rays
to accumulate in the spectrum if they are present.

2.7.3.3. Pu, including Am 241

This message is displayed if the major lines of plutonium and the high energy lines of 241Am are
detected. If the intensities of the secondary lines is sufficient to determine the 239Pu content, that
will be given in a subsequent message.

2.7.3.4. Pu Count for > 5 minutes for Weapons/Reactor Grade

This message is displayed if the major lines of plutonium are detected, but the intensity of some
secondary lines is not sufficient to determine the 239Pu content. It is less restrictive (fewer
criteria) than Pu - can’t determine type.

2.7.3.5. Pu - can’t determine type

This message is displayed if the major lines of plutonium are detected, but none of the intensities
of the secondary lines is sufficient to determine the 239Pu content. It could also mean that a
masking nuclide was detected.

2.7.3.6. Weapons Grade Pu

This message is displayed if the major lines of plutonium are detected, and the ratio of the
intensities of the secondary lines indicates that the 239Pu is more than about 90%. If the ratio of
the intensities is less than 90% and statistically good, the Reactor Grade Pu message is shown.

2.7.3.7. Highly enriched uranium

This message is displayed if the major lines of uranium are detected, and the ratios of the
intensities of the lines indicates the 235U content to be above about 70%.

36
 2. OPERATION DIALOGS AND RADIONUCLIDE IDENTIFICATIONS

2.7.3.8. Depleted uranium

This message is displayed if the major lines of uranium are detected, and the ratios of the
intensities of the lines indicates the 235U content to be less than about 0.6%.

2.7.3.9. Natural uranium

This message is displayed if the major lines of uranium are detected, and the ratios of the
intensities of the lines indicates the 235U content to be about 0.7%.

2.7.3.10. Low enriched uranium

This message is displayed if the major lines of uranium are detected, and the ratios of the
intensities of the lines indicates the 235U content to be between about 0.8% and 70%.

2.7.3.11. Elevated uranium concentration

This message is displayed if the peak count rates for major lines of uranium are significantly
higher than background. It can be displayed for any uranium enrichment if the count rate is high
enough.

2.7.3.12. Possible beta emitter or unknown gamma, view spectrum

This message is displayed if the count rate is greater than about 300 counts per second for the
entire energy range and none of the gamma-ray energies in the table were located. The spectrum
should be displayed and manually checked for any abnormal conditions. The energy calibration
should be checked.

2.7.3.13. NORM background OK, keep counting

This message is displayed if the count rate of some common background peaks is consistent with
background, including uranium. You should continue counting for at least 5 minutes to allow
time for other nuclides to be found or for the uranium content to be more accurately determined.
This message can also appear if you count for long times (tens of minutes or more).

2.7.3.14. Count rate is high. May require longer count or more distance
This message is displayed when the Detective-EX spectrometer is extremely “busy” processing
pulses from a high-activity source (count rate >30,000 counts per second). In such situations,
positive identifications can take much longer than expected. If possible, increase the detector-to-
source distance until this message is no longer displayed.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

2.8. Identification Messages — “ANSI” ID Display Mode

Following is the list of radionuclide IDs for the Detective-EX/DX Library v3.03. You can view
this list within the Detective-EX application by tapping the List Nuclides command on the
second Advanced Setup screen (Section 2.6.14).

Am241 At211 Au198

Ba133 Ba133-Shielded Bi207
Br76 Cf252-249 Co56
Co57 Co60 Cr51
Cs137 Cu64 Eu152
Eu155 Eu156 Fe59
Ga64 Ga67 Gd153
Gd159 Ho166 Ho166m
I123 I125 I131
In111 Ir192 Ir194
K40 La140(FP) Lu172
Lu177 Lu177-Shielded Mn54
Mo + Tc99M Mo99 n on Fe
n on H n on Li Na22
Np237 Pa233 Pd103
Po210 Pu-Including Am 241 Pu-Reactor grade
Pu-Undetermined type Pu-Weapons grade Ra226
Re188 Se75 Sm153
Sn113 SrRb82 Sr-Y90
Ta182 Tc99M Th228
Th232 Tl200 Tl201
Tl202 Tl204 Tl208
U233 Uranium-Depleted Uranium-Elevated concentration
Uranium-Highly enriched Uranium-Low enriched Uranium-Natural
W188 Xe131M Xe133
Xe135 Y88

38
 3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND
ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS PROGRAMS
The Detective-EX is intended for completely independent operation, with no PC required.
However, when you connect the Detective-EX CONTROL port to a PC running an ORTEC
CONNECTIONS-32 MCA emulation program, you can use the Detective-EX as a high-
performance HPGe spectrometer/digital MCA. Note that only limited hardware adjustments are
allowed. The Detective-EX will not allow you to modify hardware settings, in the MCA
emulation program, in ways that might hamper the unit’s performance as an identifier. For
example, you cannot change amplifier gain, conversion gain, and other similar settings.

Installing the accompanying MAESTRO-32 MCA Emulator, v6.05 or later, will make it possible
for you to use the Detective-EX with both current and earlier releases of other CONNECTIONS-32
programs such as our GammaVision®-32 Gamma-Ray Analysis and MCA Emulator or
ISOTOPIC-32 Program for Radioactive Waste Characterization. Using CONNECTIONS-32 driver
v6.09.06 or later will allow you to view the stored spectrum reports described in Section 3.3.6.
The MAESTRO-32 Software User’s Manual (Part No. 777800) contains complete instructions
on software installation, network protocol setup, and configuration of the MCBs attached to your
PC. When installing MAESTRO-32, choose the USB-Based Instruments selection to install the
correct driver for the Detective-EX.

3.1. Connecting the Detective-EX to a PC

There are two USB connectors on the rear of the Detective-EX, DATA and CONTROL.

The DATA port connects the internal computer (running Windows Mobile) to another Windows
PC so you can copy spectra from the Detective to the PC. In this mode, you do not have access
to the MCA hardware functions, only the files stored on the instrument. For Windows XP and
2000 users, the DATA mode requires Microsoft ActiveSync, which must be downloaded and
installed before use. Windows Vista has a built-in mobile-to-PC communications capability; no
additional software is required. See the “File Transfer to PC” chapter in the Operator’s Manual
for instructions. When connected via the DATA port, the Detective-EX is listed on your PC as a
mobile device.

The CONTROL port connects the Detective-EX’s MCA to the PC and disables the other
features of the instrument. This allows you to use the unit as a high-performance HPGe MCA
controlled by MAESTRO-32 and other ORTEC CONNECTIONS-32 spectroscopy applications.
Within approximately 10 seconds after connecting via the CONTROL port, the Detective-EX
screen changes to the display shown in Fig. 42.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

The first time this Detective-EX is connected to a particular

PC, Windows will run the Found New Hardware wizard.
If it asks for the location of the Detective-EX driver, select
the “automatically locate the driver” option, answer any
remaining prompts, and close the wizard.6

The final step is to run the MCB Configuration program

accompanying MAESTRO-32 to build Master Instrument
List of all ORTEC MCBs accessible to the PC.

To return the Detective-EX to standalone operation, simply

unplug the USB connection. The display will return to the
normal Detective-EX Survey Mode dialog. If, after unplug-
ging the USB cable, the instrument does not return to the
Detective-EX interface, reconnect the cable, wait 12!15
seconds, and disconnect. Repeat as needed until the display Fig. 42. PC Connected to
unlocks. CONTROL USB Port.

NOTE MAESTRO-32 and other ORTEC CONNECTIONS-32

programs have a Lock/Unlock Detector command to prevent unauthorized users from
changing detector settings, starting and stopping data acquisition, and clearing the
detector memory. This locking command functions separately from the Detective-EX
administrative password. If the Detective-EX is password-locked within
MAESTRO-32, you can still use it in the field without knowing the password;
however, you cannot reconnect it to a PC and erase its memory.

3.2. Quantitative Analysis of Detective-EX Spectra in

GammaVision-32 and ISOTOPIC-32
The Detective-EX can be used to collect data for quantitative analysis, either as a standalone
field instrument or a benchtop MCB connected to a PC. In both usage modes, the data are stored
as .SPC-format spectrum files. The .SPC files can then be quantitatively analyzed on a PC using
GammaVision-32 or ISOTOPIC-32.

Note, however, that the Detective-EX is not designed to store efficiency information in the .SPC
files it creates. Therefore, for quantitative determinations, special attention is needed to prepare
the calibration (.CLB) file so that GammaVision-32 or ISOTOPIC-32 will add the efficiency
information during processing.

6
If, for some reason, the driver cannot be auto-located, it is installed in c:\Program Files\Common Files\ORTEC
Shared\UMCBI.

40
 3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS PROGRAMS

To prepare this calibration file, load a Detective-EX calibration spectrum into GammaVision-32
or ISOTOPIC-32. Use the software application’s Calibration Wizard to obtain the additional
efficiency calibration, keeping the existing energy calibration. After the efficiency calibration is
computed, save the complete set of calibrations as a .CLB file.

To add the efficiency information to an existing .SPC file (typically from a standalone
Detective-EX):

! Transfer the .SPC file from the Detective-EX to the PC (see the “File Transfer to PC” chapter
in the Operator’s Manual).

! Recall the .SPC file in GammaVision-32 or ISOTOPIC-32.

! Load the .CLB file containing the proper efficiency information. This can be done either with
the application’s Recall Calibration command; or by specifying the .CLB file as the
calibration override in the GammaVision-32 analysis options (.SDF) file or the ISOTOPIC-32
configuration.

! Save the .SPC file with or without further analysis.

NOTE If the .CLB file is specified in the GammaVision .SDF file or ISOTOPIC configuration,
the .An1 file generated during analysis will contain the proper calibration information
but the original .SPC file (without the efficiency information) will not change.

To load the efficiency information before acquiring a new spectrum (with the Detective-EX
attached to a PC):

! Load the .CLB file either with the Recall Calibration command; or by specifying the .CLB
file as the calibration override in the GammaVision .SDF file or ISOTOPIC configuration.

! Acquire a new spectrum and save it in .SPC format.

3.3. Detective-EX MCB Properties in MAESTRO-32

This section discusses the hardware setup dialogs you will see within MAESTRO-32 when you
use the MCB Properties... command on the Acquire menu. The MCB Properties dialog
contains all of the instrument controls including acquisition presets, high voltage, hardware
status indicators, and amplifier settings. As noted in the introduction, except for the presets, the
Detective-EX acquisition parameters are factory-set and cannot be adjusted. To view the
hardware parameters, and Identification Mode messages for spectra downloaded from the
Detective-EX, move from tab to tab. Click on Close when finished.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

Note that as you enter characters in the data-entry fields, the characters will be underlined until
you move to another field or until 5 seconds have lapsed since a character was last entered.
During the time the entry is underlined, no other program or PC on the network can modify this
value.

NOTE The changes you make on most property tabs take place immediately. There is no
cancel or undo for the dialog.

3.3.1. Amplifier
Figure 43 shows the Amplifier tab. This
tab displays the settings for the Coarse
and Fine Gain, which are factory preset
and cannot be changed. The fine gain
changes when the unit is recalibrated.

Fig. 43. Detective-EX Amplifier Tab.

3.3.2. Amplifier 2
Figure 44 shows the Amplifier 2 tab,
which displays the fixed Rise Time
and Flattop Width settings. You can
also use the InSight Virtual Oscillo-
scope™ mode to view the digital signal
processor’s actual sampled waveform
on a reference graticule; however, the
shaping settings cannot be adjusted.

Fig. 44. Detective-EX Amplifier 2 Tab.

42
 3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS PROGRAMS

3.3.3. Amplifier PRO

This tab (Fig. 45) displays the control
for the Low Frequency Rejector (LFR)7
feature, a digital filter that corrects the
pulse output signal for cooler-induced
microphonics). It cannot be disabled.

Fig. 45. Detective-EX Amplifier PRO Tab.

3.3.4. ADC
This tab (Fig. 46) allows you to monitor
the current Real Time, Live Time, and
Count Rate. In addition, you can view
the fixed Conversion Gain and the
Lower and Upper Level Discrim-
inator settings.

Fig. 46. Detective-EX ADC Tab.

7
Patent pending.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

3.3.5. High Voltage

Figure 47 shows the High Voltage
tab, which allows you to monitor
the Actual bias. You cannot adjust
the bias voltage or turn it on and off;
these functions are factory set.

The Shutdown is fixed as SMART8

and cannot be changed.

Fig. 47. Detective-EX High Voltage Tab.

3.3.6. Reports
This tab (Fig. 48) displays the reports
available for the current live spectrum
or spectrum file, including the ID,
Found Nuclides, Suspect Nuclides,
Top Lines, and (for instruments so
equipped) GPS reports. You must be
running MAESTRO-32 or other
ORTEC programs that use CON-
NECTIONS-32 v6.09.06 or later.

When using the Detective-EX as an

MCA controlled by the host PC, be
sure to click the Refresh button for
each report to ensure you are seeing
Fig. 48. Detective-EX Reports Tab.
the most current data.

For more information on the contents of these reports, see the section entitled “Displaying
Stored Spectra” in the Operator’s Manual.

8
A reference to our SMART-1® detector technology. For more information on SMART-1, see the ORTEC catalog
or visit www.ortec-online.com.

44
 3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS PROGRAMS

3.3.7. About
This tab (Fig. 49) displays hardware
and firmware information about the
Detective-EX as well as the data
Acquisition Start Time (Sample
description is not used). In addition,
the Access field shows whether the
Detector is currently locked with a
password by MAESTRO-32. Read/
Write indicates that the Detector is
unlocked and Read Only means it is
locked. See the note concerning
passwords on page 40, at the end of
Section 3.1.
Fig. 49. Detective-EX About Tab.
Use the Firmware Revision field to
determine both the type of Detective-EX (regular or -100 model, with or without neutron
detector) and firmware version. This parameter is formatted DETX-nnn, where X is C for the
regular Detective-EX, D for the Detective-EX-100, F for the regular Detective-DX, and G for the
Detective-DX-100; and nnn is the firmware version. In the accompanying illustration, DETF-304
indicates a regular Detective-DX running firmware V3.04. You can also use the About tab to
view this information for .SPC-format spectra downloaded from the Detective-EX.

3.3.8. Status
Figure 50 shows the Status tab. Ten
parameters are continuously monitored
in real time. Satisfactory status is re-
ported as OK or as a numerical va2lue. A
failure is reported as ERR or a descrip-
tive message. Use the listboxes to select
any six parameters to be displayed
simultaneously on the Status tab. You
can change the selected parameters at
any time.

The monitored parameters are:

! Detector State of Health — reported Fig. 50. Detective-EX Status Tab.

as OK or ERR.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

! Gamma Dose Rate — reported in µSv/h, and indicating whether this reading was made
with the detector (Ge for low dose rates) or the Geiger-Müller tube (GM for high dose rates).
See Gamma Dose-Rate Determination, page 50, for further discussion of the two dose-rate
meters.

! Detector Temperature — reported as OK or ERR.

! Battery Voltage — reported in volts.

! Battery Time Remaining — in minutes.

! Cooler Body Temperature — OK or ERR.

! Cooler Drive Voltage — OK or ERR.

! Cold-Tip Temperature — OK or ERR.

! HV Bias — in volts.

! ID Table Version — the identification table version and release date.

To resolve status problems, refer to the troubleshooting list in Chapter 5. For further assistance,
contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

3.3.9. Presets
Figure 51 shows the Presets tab. The
presets can only be set when the
Detective-EX is not acquiring data
(during acquisition the preset field
backgrounds are gray indicating that
they are inactive). You can use any
or all of the presets at one time. To
disable a preset, enter a value of zero.
If you disable all of the presets, data
acquisition will continue until man-
ually stopped.

NOTE The presets on this tab do not

affect the Detective-EX when Fig. 51. Detective-EX Presets Tab.
the instrument is operating in
standalone configuration

46
 3. USING THE DETECTIVE-EX WITH A PC AND ORTEC SPECTRUM ANALYSIS PROGRAMS

(disconnected from the PC). When operating as a standalone identifier all presets are
cleared. When the Identify button is pressed, the Detective-EX will always continue to
take data until the Stop button is pressed.

When more than one preset is enabled (set to a non-zero value), the first condition met during
the acquisition causes the Detector to stop. This can be useful when you are analyzing samples
of widely varying activity and do not know the general activity before counting. For example,
the Live Time preset can be set so that sufficient counts can be obtained for proper calculation
of the activity in the sample with the least activity. But if the sample contains a large amount of
this or another nuclide, the dead time could be high, resulting in a long counting time for the
sample. If you set the ROI Peak preset in addition to the Live Time preset, the low-level
samples will be counted to the desired fixed live time while the very active samples will be
counted for the ROI peak count. In this circumstance, the ROI Peak preset can be viewed as a
“safety valve.”

The values of all presets for the currently selected Detector are shown on the Status Sidebar.
These values do not change as new values are entered on the Presets tab; the changes take place
only when you Close the Properties dialog.

Enter the Real Time and Live Time presets in units of seconds and fractions of a second. These
values are stored internally with a resolution of 20 milliseconds (ms) since the Detector clock
increments by 20 ms. Real time means elapsed time or clock time. Live time refers to the amount
of time that the Detector is available to accept another pulse (i.e., is not busy), and is equal to the
real time minus the dead time (the time the Detector is not available).

Enter the ROI Peak count preset value in counts. With this preset condition, the Detector stops
counting when any ROI channel reaches this value unless there are no ROIs marked in the
Detector, in which case that Detector continues counting until the count is manually stopped.

Enter the ROI Integral preset value in counts. With this preset condition, the Detector stops
counting when the sum of all counts in all channels for this Detector marked with an ROI
reaches this value. This has no function if no ROIs are marked in the Detector.

Marking the Overflow checkbox terminates acquisition when data in any channel exceeds 231!1
(over 2×109) counts.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

48
 4. SPECIFICATIONS9
System Conversion Gain The Detective-EX/DX operates at a conversion gain of 8192
channels.

Shaping-Time Constants
! Rise time: 3.4 µs, fixed.
! Flattop: 0.8 µs width, fixed.

Dead-Time Correction Extended live-time correction according to Gedcke-Hale method.10

Accuracy: area of reference peak changes <±3% from 0 to 50000 cps.

Linearity
! Integral Nonlinearity: <±0.025% over top 99.5% of spectrum, measured with a mixed source
(55Fe at 5.9 keV to 88Y at 1836 keV).
! Differential Nonlinearity: <±1% (measured with a BNC pulser and ramp generator).

Overload Recovery At maximum gain, recovers to within 2% of rated output from ×1000
overload in 2.5 non-overloaded pulse widths (measured using our InSight™ Virtual
Oscilloscope).

Pulse Pileup Rejector Automatically set threshold. Pulse-pair resolution typically 500 ns.

Stored-Spectrum Memory An unlimited number of spectra can be stored on removable

SecureDigital memory cards.11 The number of spectra stored on an individual card depends on
the capacity of the card. Each spectrum is about 36 Kbytes.

Wireless Communication Optional integrated IEEE 802.11b wireless hardware; third-party

software can be used to implement this option. See the ORTEC technical note Wireless Remote
Operation With SOTI’s Pocket Controller Software (Part. No. 932735A).

Low Frequency Rejector (LFR) Filter12 The digital signal processor incorporates ORTEC’s
exclusive LFR filter, designed to reduce microphonic and low-frequency periodic noise (if
present) from germanium detector output signals, thereby producing significant improvement in
spectral resolution. The LFR is specifically beneficial in systems cooled by mechanical coolers,

9
Subject to change without notice.
10
Ron Jenkins, R. W. Gould, and Dale Gedcke, Quantitative X-Ray Spectrometry (New York: Marcel Dekker,
Inc.), 1981, pp. 266–267.
11
The CF Option model also supports CompactFlash memory cards.
12
Patent pending.

49
Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

which are known to often contribute microphonic noise to the spectrum (thereby degrading
spectral resolution). The LFR is also capable of reducing any periodic noise signal resulting
from surrounding electronics and equipment or ground loops.

Cooler Hymatic SAX101-002, high-reliability, low-power Stirling cooler. Dual-piston design,

1 W nominal lift at 100K. The cooler is designed for continuous operation and cooler life is
expected to exceed 50000 hours. Initial cool-down time depends on ambient temperature, but is
typically <12 hours at 25°C.

Gamma-Ray Detector Internal, coaxial HPGe detector. P-type high-purity germanium.

Detective-EX: 50 mm diameter × 30 mm deep (nominal). Detective-EX-100: 65 mm diameter ×
50 mm deep (nominal).

Neutron Detector Internal, 4 each, 3He tubes, 1.3 cm × 10 cm active length, 20 atm, stainless
steel body, RS-P4-0404-214, inside 2.5 cm × 18 cm × 14 cm moderator.

Internal Compensated Geiger-Müller Tube LND 71322 Geiger Müller tube. GM tube
specifications are available on request.

Gamma Dose-Rate Determination

Visual overrange indication and continuous audible alarm at dose rates >10000 µSv/h.

The Detective-EX uses two detectors to determine the gamma dose rate over a wide range from
<0.05 µSv/h to >10000 µSv/h, a dose-rate range of around six decades. For low dose rates,
below ~20 µSv/h, the dose rate is determined from the Ge detector spectrum. For dose rates
above this value, the internal compensated GM tube is used. The Detective-EX switches
between the two automatically.

For radiation fields from extended sources (e.g., from a container full of NORM) or far-field
point sources (>1 ft [0.3 m] from the instrument), the precise location of the detector in use is
not important. When point sources are close to the instrument, the detector readings might not be
in agreement because they are in different places within the instrument, and the dose rate is
varying rapidly with position. It will be different at these two detector locations.

NOTE The dose rate function in the Detective-EX should not be considered as adequate for
accurate dosimetry purposes. Its primary purpose is to protect the user of the Detective-
EX from high radiation fields.

If you must test the dose-rate measurement capability with a point source, especially at close
range, it is important to know the reference points of the instrument detectors, since test
procedures such as ANSI or IAEA prescribe use of point sources at specified distances from the

50
 4. SPECIFICATIONS

reference point of the instrument. For the Ge detector, the reference point is the geometric center
of the Ge detector endcap disk (see Fig. 52). For the GM and neutron detectors, the reference
point is shown in Fig. 52 and is marked on the case of the instrument.

Fig. 52. Reference Points for the HPGe and Neutron Detectors and the Geiger-Müller Tube (all
measurements in inches).

Presets Multiple presets can be set within MAESTRO-32 for any or all of the following:
! Real Time Stops data collection when the real time reaches this value (in increments
of 1 s).

! Live Time Stops data collection when the live time reaches this value (in increments
of 1 s).

! ROI Integral Integral count stops data collection when the sum of all ROI channels
reaches this value.

! ROI Peak Peak count stops data acquisition when any ROI channel reaches this value
(maximum value of 232!1 counts [4 ×109]).

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

! Data Overflow Terminates acquisition when data in any channel exceeds 231!1 (2 ×109)
counts.

4.1. Electrical and Mechanical

Dimensions
! Maximum Overall Dimensions (including handle, Ge detector endcap, neutron detector
and shock absorbers).
Detective-EX: 37.3 cm L × 18.3 cm W × 34.3 cm H (14.7 in. × 7.2 in. × 13.1 in.)
Detective-DX: 37.3 cm L × 16 cm W × 34.3 cm H (14.7 in. × 6.3 in. × 13.5 in.)

Detective-EX 100: 39.4 cm L × 18.3 cm W × 34.9 cm H (15.5 in. × 7.2 in. × 13.1 in.)
Detective-DX 100: 39.4 cm L × 16.3 cm W × 34.9 cm H (15.5 in. × 6.55 in. × 13.75 in.)

! Weight
Detective-EX: 11.75 kg (25.9 lb). Detective-EX 100: 12 kg (26.3 lb).
DX versions are 0.9 kg (1.9 lb) lighter.

Maximum Shock Tolerance 20 g. An accelerometer inside the instrument tracks the maximum
shock to which the Detective-EX has been subjected, and a shock in excess of 20 g will void the
warranty.

Ambient Operating Environment 0 to +40°C, at a relative humidity <90% at 35°C,

non-condensing.

Internal Battery Rechargeable, nominal 14.4-V lithium-ion battery pack, ORTEC Part
No. 798780. Charging circuitry and battery management circuitry internal to the docking station
or PAC-II. Battery lifetime 3–5 years. Access door in right side panel of case. The compartment
is semi-sealed and protects against penetration of dirt and moisture. See Chapter 6 for
instructions on replacing the battery.

Battery Life >3 hours at 25°C when HPGe detector is cold. Battery life can be extended
indefinitely by the use of optional, external battery belt. The unit is expected to be kept running
once cold.

Note that the internal battery charge is not sufficient to start the Detective-EX cooler or cool a
warm detector; external power is required. In addition, an exhausted internal battery should be
charged for 2 hours before the Detective-EX is cooled using external power. Cooler startup
without external power and/or with an exhausted internal battery can cause operational
anomalies. If the internal battery is completely exhausted (but can still hold a charge), see

52
 4. SPECIFICATIONS

troubleshooting Section 5.4.1. For other startup issues, see Sections 5.5 and 5.6. Also note that
using an automobile battery to cool the detector could significantly discharge the auto battery.

CE Conforms to CE standards for radiated and conducted emissions, susceptibility, and

low-voltage power directives.

4.2. Connectors
DATA Rear-panel USB connector, with dust cover, for PC communications.

CONTROL Rear-panel USB connector, with dust cover, for MCA communications.

INPUT POWER Rear-panel external power input, with dust cover, 12–17 V dc, 60 W, or from
battery or auto-sensing ac-powered battery charger.

Headphones ( ) Rear-panel female connector, with dust cover, accepts standard male
headphone jack. Headphone volume controllable from the Detective-EX buttonpad. Note that
the audible high-dose-rate alarm sounds whether or not headphones are connected to the
Detective-EX. This alarm is not routed through the headphones and its volume is independent of
the headphone volume setting.

4.3. Docking Station

Calibration Source (if present) Solid, sealed, ~0.25-µCi (9250-Bq) 137Cs calibration source
housed in the source holder on the front of the docking station. This source is exempt under U.S.
and European regulations and is only supplied pre-installed by ORTEC (not separately). We do
not recommend that it be removed, nor will ORTEC accept any responsibility whatsoever for its
removal.

POWER IN Keyed, front-panel connector attaches to the mains-powered dc power supply.

Detective-EX Power Supply Cable Integral rear-panel cable terminating in MS3112E12-10-S

or Bendix PT02E-12-10S connector, center contact positive, attaches to the Detective-EX
INPUT POWER connector to supply external power and charge the Detective-EX internal
battery.

4.4. PAC-II Power Adaptor/Charger

POWER IN Keyed, rear-panel connector attaches to a +12–15 V dc power supply, 9 A
maximum.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

AC Input Rear-panel connector, 115–230 V ac, 50–60 Hz, 250 VA maximum.

OUTPUT Integral front-panel cable terminating in MS3112E12-10-S or Bendix

PT02E-12-10S connector, center contact positive, attaches to the Detective-EX INPUT POWER
connector to supply external power and charge the Detective-EX internal battery.

Charger Status LEDs Front-panel red and green LEDs. When the Detective-EX’s internal
battery is charging, the red indicator is continuously lit. The red indicator flashes if you
disconnect the Detector before its battery is fully charged, or if the Detective-EX is connected
but the internal battery is faulty. When the battery is fully charged, the green indicator turns on
and the red indicator turns off.

4.5. PC Prerequisites
In addition to completely independent, standalone operation, the Detective-EX can also be
operated as a benchtop MCA, in conjunction with ORTEC CONNECTIONS-32 software such as
MAESTRO-32, by connecting it to any PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP
Professional SP2 or higher, or Vista Ultimate, and equipped with a USB port.

4.6. Shipping the Detective-EX

To avoid damaging the cooler and, where applicable, to comply with transportation regulations,
be certain to turn the cooler off before shipping the Detective-EX. To do this, tap Advanced in
the Survey Mode dialog, then Turn Cooler Off. The unit can be shipped as soon as the cooler is
turned off. There is no need to wait until the detector warms up.

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 5. TROUBLESHOOTING
5.1. “Error Saving .SPC File”
This message is generated if the spectrum storage location is set to a removable card drive and
no card is in the specified drive. Insert the card and tap Save again. If you do not have a card for
the specified drive, you must stop the current identification session, enter Advanced Setup, go to
the Spectra dialog, and select a valid location.

5.2. If the Detective-EX Program Stops

The Detective-EX incorporates a PDA
running the Windows Mobile operating
system. Occasionally, the operating sys-
tem will stop responding to external com-
mands. On newer Detective-EX units,
locate the on/off button under the dust
cover beside the SD card drive or on the
bezel at the top of the touchscreen, then
press and hold it until the PDA turns off.
Press the button again to restart the PDA.

On CF Option units, the reset switch is

inside the cover on the right side of the
touchscreen, recessed to protect it from Fig. 54. The Reset Button on the CF Option
being accidentally pressed (Fig. 54). Use Detective-EX.
a long, stiff piece of wire (such as a paper
clip) to press the switch.

5.3. If You Drop the Detective-EX

The Detective-EX has been designed to be a rugged instrument, and should survive reasonable
levels of mechanical abuse. It has been drop-tested to destruction in development and is known
to have a high degree of survivability to “normal” shock and vibration.

If the instrument is dropped:

! Turn off the MCA electronics (not the cooler) off by disconnecting from any external power
source, disconnecting any USB connection, and pressing the On/Off button. Wait 5 seconds,
then turn the unit back on. This should reset any mechanical relays that might have been
deactivated by the drop.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

! Inspect the exterior for evidence of mechanical damage or distortion.

! Listen to the cooler: If you hear any unusual noises (rattling or pinging) emanating from the
cooler, contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

! Monitor the unit for the next few hours to ensure that it remains Ready (indicating that the
cooler and bias voltage are functioning properly), calibrates successfully, and correctly
identifies the specified calibration source. If, on recalibration, a large adjustment is proposed
(>0.3% or more), this could indicate a problem.

If the unit fails in one or more of these respects or if one or more hardware diagnostic settings
indicate a failure (see Section 5.2.4 of the Operator’s Manual), contact your ORTEC
representative or our Global Service Center for further assistance. Remember that there are no
user-serviceable parts inside the Detective-EX and opening the case will void the warranty.

5.4. If the Detective-EX Will Not Turn On

! Connect the Detective-EX to an external power source and attempt to turn the unit on as
described in the Operator’s Manual. The Detective-EX must be connected to an external
power source in order to initiate detector cool-down; the internal batteries cannot cool a
warm detector.

! If the internal batteries have become exhausted but can still hold a charge, use the
reinitialization procedure in Section 5.4.1.

! If the battery does not hold a charge, ensure that it is properly installed. If properly installed,
the battery must be replaced according to the instructions in Section 6. If restarting from an
exhausted battery, reinitialization might be necessary; see Section 5.4.1.

5.4.1. Starting from an Exhausted Battery (Reinitialization)

If the internal battery is completely exhausted the Detective-EX internal memory, including any
stored spectrum files in the My Documents folder, could be lost, in which case the system must
be reinitialized. To do this:

! Recharge the battery.

Connect the Detective-EX to the docking station or PAC-II, or to an alternative power
source. If the battery is completely discharged, it will typically reach full charge in 3–4
hours. Once the system has been restarted, you can begin re-cooling the detector according to
the instructions in the Operator’s Manual.

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 5. TROUBLESHOOTING

! Reinitialize.
1. If the Detective-EX is off, press the front-panel On button. After initial processing, the
display will read Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC (seeing this Powered Pocket
PC display is the major indicator that the internal memory has been lost and that the
instrument must be reinitialized.)

2. Tap the screen once.

3. Follow the onscreen instructions to align the screen. Use a stylus for this as it calibrates
the screen, which should be as accurate as possible.

4. Tap the Next button and continue following the onscreen recovery instructions.

5. After successfully performing the cut-and-paste sequence, tap the Next button.

6. Set the time zone, then tap Next.

7. Tap the screen.

! Set up the clock.

1. On the Settings screen, tap the Clock icon.

2. Change the Home time and date to the current time and date, then tap the OK at the
upper right hand side.

3. Tap Yes to save the new Clock settings.

! Install the Detective-EX application software.

1. Using the Windows File Explorer, navigate to the \Flash ROM Disk folder.

2. Tap the DetectiveEX text.

3. Tap the Install text; this will reinstall the Detective-EX software.

4. Finally, reset the system. Using File Explorer, navigate back to the My Device folder,
choose Program Files and the DetectiveEX folder, then tap on the DetectiveEX file to start
the software. The initial screen will be displayed; see the Operator’s Manual for more
information.

! Restart the cooler as described in the Operator’s Manual.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

5.5. If the Docking Station Spontaneously Shuts Down

and Restarts
If you attempt to cool the Detective-EX when its internal battery is completely discharged, the
high current draw could cause the docking station to shut down and restart approximately once
every minute or two. The Detective-EX will not be damaged by this “cycling,” but the unit could
take an excessive amount of time to cool and charge. To avoid this, allow the battery to charge
for 2 hours before turning on the cooler.

5.6. If the Display is Lost or Posts a “Display Disabled”

Message
The MCA board in the Detective-EX could shut down in such a way that the upper-right corner
of the screen shows a “Display Disabled” error message and pressing the front-panel ON button
(under the protective dust cover) has no effect. This can occur if the instrument’s internal battery
is exhausted and the cooler turns off while the display is still on; or if you try to start the cooler
using only the internal battery, that is, without connecting the Detective-EX to either its charger
base or an external power supply. To recover the display:

! Recharge the internal battery.

! Disconnect the Detective-EX from the charger base or external power source and from any
USB connections.

! Turn the unit off by pressing the ON button under the protective dust cover. Wait 15–20
seconds; this will return the MCA board to a normal off state.

! Press the ON button to power on the Detective-EX display. It might take a few seconds for
the display to appear, so wait at least 1 minute before trying the procedure again.

For further assistance, contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

5.7. If the “USB Host Connected” Message Persists After

Disconnection
If the display shows the “USB Host Connected” even though there is no USB cable attached to
the rear-panel CONTROL port, reattach the USB cable, wait 12!15 seconds, and disconnect the
cable. Repeat as needed until the message clears. If the message does not clear, locate the
microprocessor’s on/off button and reboot it. The mechanical cooler will remain on during this
procedure.

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 5. TROUBLESHOOTING

5.8. “Batteries Hot or Overheated” Message

If the battery in the PDA that controls the Detective-EX becomes overheated — for instance, if
the Detective-EX is left in a vehicle on a very hot day — a “batteries hot or overheated” message
might be displayed and the unit could perform unpredictably. Cool the instrument until the
message disappears. The maximum operating temperature is 40EC (104EF).

5.9. If You Forgot the Password

There is no master password. Contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center
for assistance.

5.10. Calibration Issues

5.10.1. Calibration Takes Very Long to Complete or Does Not Finish at All
! Make sure your calibration source corresponds to the source or peak energy selected on the
calibration settings screen (Section 2.6.2).

! Use a higher-activity calibration source or position the source on the detector endcap.

! If the calibration routine does not complete (continues running beyond one minute), tap
STOP to abort it, correct the situation, and restart the calibration.

5.10.2. The Centroid, FWHM, or Calibration Adjustment Value Has Changed

Dramatically Since the Last Calibration
This is a highly unlikely occurrence. The Detective-EX is an advanced digital design and highly
stable when operating correctly.

! If the energy calibration appears highly variable, contact our Global Service Center or your
ORTEC representative. Routine changes of the order of 0.05% are to be expected. This
might simply be due to counting statistics in the spectrum. A change much larger than this,
say 0.5%, bears investigation. Apparent changes in the reported FWHM calibration are most
likely to be statistical variations. If the (gain) calibration adjustment value is stable, the unit
is functioning properly.

5.11. ActiveSync: “Couldn’t Find Any Mobile Device”

If you attempt to connect the Detective-EX to a PC via Microsoft ActiveSync and receive this
message, check your Windows Firewall settings to ensure an exception exists for ActiveSync. If

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

necessary, create an ActiveSync exception. If the PC is running under Windows XP, Service
Pack 2 or higher must be installed. Also, be sure the PC is up-to-date on all critical operating
system updates. If using an older version of ActiveSync, check the Microsoft website to see if a
more recent version is available; if all of the above conditions have already been met, installing a
newer version of ActiveSync will very likely resolve the firewall conflict.

5.12. Troubleshooting MAESTRO-Related Problems

5.12.1. MAESTRO-32 Does Not Connect with the Detective-EX
If properly installed and functioning MAESTRO-32 software (or other CONNECTIONS-32
programs) cannot find and communicate with the Detective-EX when it is connected via the
CONTROL port:

! Make sure the Detective-EX is turned on and connected to the PC via the CONTROL port.

! Check to see if the Detective-EX display is locked.

! Make sure the USB cable is properly connected to the PC.

! Make sure USB hubs are correctly connected and functioning.

! Check the Master Instrument List on the PC to ensure that the Detective-EX is on the list. If
it is not listed, manually run the MCB Configuration program by clicking on Start,
Programs, MAESTRO 32, MCB Configuration. See the MAESTRO-32 User’s Manual
for detailed instructions on this operation.

5.13. Other Problems with the Detective-EX

Should the Detective-EX exhibit other unusual behavior, confirm that the Regional Settings in
the Windows Mobile operating system are set correctly, and restore them if necessary. The
Detective-EX is designed to function with Windows Mobile set to the English (United States)
region and its default values for decimal symbol, digit grouping symbol, and time and date
formats, as described below. Using other than the factory default settings can cause operational
problems.

To check these settings:

! On the Advanced Setup screen (see Fig. 17, page 19), tap Exit, then confirm that you wish to
end the Detective-EX program.

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 5. TROUBLESHOOTING

! On the Windows desktop, tap the Start square in the upper left corner of the screen, then tap
Settings.

! In the Settings dialog, tap the System tab, then select Regional Settings.

! On the Region tab, select English (United States) from the listbox.

! On the Number tab, choose the period ( . ) for the Decimal symbol and the comma ( , ) for
the Digit grouping symbol.

! On the Time tab, select h:mm:ss tt as the Time style and the full colon ( : ) as the Time
separator.

! On the Date tab, use M/d/yy as the Short date, the forward slash ( / ) as the Date separator,
and the Long date format dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy.

! Tap the upper right OK circle, then the upper right X circle to return to the Windows
desktop.

! Restart the Detective-EX as described in Section 5.2.

For further assistance, contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

62
 6. CHANGING THE INTERNAL BATTERY
The typical service life of the Detective-EX internal battery is 3–5 years. When the internal
battery no longer retains a charge, it must be replaced with ORTEC Part No. 798780. This is a
straightforward operation that takes just a few minutes, so the detector does not significantly
warm up during the procedure. When connected to external power such as the docking station,
the new battery will typically reach full charge within 2–4 hours. If your Detective-EX was
purchased after July 1, 2005, use the following instructions. For older units, see Section 6.1.

For more information, contact your ORTEC representative or our Global Service Center.

To change the battery on newer units:

1. Turn off the cooler and the Detective-EX electronics by reversing the instructions in
Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Operator’s Manual.

2. Figure 55 shows the battery hatch on the side panel. Remove the five (5) screws from the
hatch with a Torx® T10 screwdriver (there is no sixth screw under the black rubber “foot”).
Gently pry up one end of the hatch, then slip it from behind the rubber foot and expose the
battery (see Fig. 62).

NOTE If the hatch is not easily freed, it might have a sixth screw hidden under the rubber
foot. Do not force the hatch open! Go to the instructions in Section 6.1.

Fig. 55. Battery Hatch for Newer

Units Has Five Screws Instead of
Six.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

3. Open the tie that holds the battery in place. Note

the orientation of the battery and connector as
you disconnect and remove the old battery. The con-
necting wire for the new battery (Fig. 56) should feed
from the front of the battery compartment, across the
top edge of the battery pack (the edge closest to the
top of the instrument), then toward the back of the
compartment. Close the tie around the new battery.

4. Reverse Steps 2 and 3 to replace the hatch.

5. Connect the Detective-EX to external power.

Remember that the cooler cannot be restarted from
the internal battery. Fig. 56. Internal Battery Pack and
Connector.
6. Restart the Detective-EX, turn on the cooler, and wait
for the instrument status to change to Ready.

6.1. Units Bought Before July 1, 2005

If your Detective-EX was released before July 1, 2005, the battery hatch has six screws, one of
which is under the left front rubber “foot.” Accessing the battery requires removal of the neutron
detector and rubber foot, and takes 15–20 minutes.

1. Turn off the cooler and the Detective-EX electronics by reversing the instructions in
Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Operator’s Manual.

2. Using a Torx T10 screwdriver, remove the 11 screws from the neutron detector housing and
take off the hatch (Fig. 57). Next, remove the two screws that fasten the detector housing to
the Detective-EX side panel.

3. Gently pull the neutron detector from the housing, being sure not to stress the two wires
that pass into the body of the Detective-EX. Figure 58 shows a closeup of the neutron
detector housing, wires, and neutron detector.

4. To separate the gold connector, grasp each half of it by the knurled areas only (not the
wires!) and pull gently; see Fig. 59.

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 6. CHANGING THE INTERNAL BATTERY

Fig. 57. Remove the Housing Cover and the Two Side-Panel Screws.

Fig. 58. The Neutron Detector Removed from its

Housing.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

5. To separate the white connector: Grasp the male half of the connector (originating in the
neutron detector housing) with two fingers of one hand. Grasp the base of the female half
with the thumb and middle finger of your other hand. Use your index fingernail (not a
screwdriver) to gently lift and hold the “tee-shaped” tang a few millimeters above its detent.
While holding up the tang, gently separate the connector halves. See Fig. 60.

6. Place the Detective-EX on its side and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws
that hold the black rubber “foot” piece to the bottom of the Detective-EX body, as shown in
Fig. 61. Set the instrument upright.

7. With a Torx T15 screwdriver, remove the 6 screws that hold the neutron detector housing to
the front of the Detective-EX. Pull the housing and rubber foot forward 1–2 inches, taking
care not to stress the wires (Fig. 61). Typically, there is no need to pull the wires through
the neutron detector housing.

Fig. 59. Grasp the Fig. 60. Lift the “Tee-Shaped” Tang then
Knurling to Separate the Two Halves of the White
Disconnect the Connector. (Do not pull on the wires!)
Gold Connector.

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 6. CHANGING THE INTERNAL BATTERY

Fig. 61. Pull the Rubber “Foot” and Neutron Detector Housing
1–2” Away from the Detective-EX. (The dashed black arrow shows
the path of the wires.)

8. Figure 62 shows the battery hatch on the side panel; remove it using a Torx T10
screwdriver.

Fig. 62. Battery Hatch and Battery.

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

9. Open the tie that holds the battery in place. Note the orientation of the battery and connector
as you disconnect and remove the old battery. The connecting wire for the new
battery (refer to Fig. 56) should feed from the front of the battery compartment, across the
top edge of the battery pack (the edge closest to the top of the instrument), then toward the
back of the compartment. Close the tie around the new battery.

10. Reverse Steps 2–8 to replace the hatch and reconnect/reassemble the neutron detector
housing assembly. When reinstalling the neutron detector housing cover (see Step 2),
use a torque driver to apply 4 in-lb (.452 Nm) to the 11 screws. The cover will break if too
much torque is applied.

11. Connect the Detective-EX to external power. Remember that the cooler cannot be restarted
from the internal battery.

12. Restart the Detective-EX, turn on the cooler, and wait for the instrument status to change to
Ready.

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 7. CALIBRATION SOURCE STATEMENT
The quantity of radioactive material contained in this product is extremely small and presents no
known radiation hazard. However, it is always good practice to minimize exposure by following
the basic radiation principles of time, distance, and shielding. The solid sealed source in this
instrument requires no special handling.

Exempt quantity licensed products containing radioactive material should be used only as
intended by the manufacturer and in accordance with the instructions provided. All radioactive
materials should be securely stored when not in use.

This product may be disposed of in regular waste without regard to the radioactive content
providing the customer is not a specific licensee and all radiation symbols have been removed or
defaced. If the customer receiving the exempt quantity is a specific licensee, then the customer is
subject to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20 in areas where 10 CFR 30.18 is silent (e.g., waste
disposal).

This product conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR 173.424 for
radioactive material, excepted package-instruments or articles, UN2911.

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70
 INDEX
Administrator Mode (advanced setup) Identification Mode
advanced setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 identification (.SPC and .N42) files . . . . . 4, 14
hiding the spectrum display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 nuclide identification messages . . . . . . . . . . 33
password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 MAESTRO-32
Battery MCB Properties setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
cannot cool detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Monitor detector state of health . . . . . . . . . . 45
exhausted, startup from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Monitor hardware status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
power source indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Neutron count rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Calibration check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Nuclide identification messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
enable auto-calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Nuclide library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Power
sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 exhausted battery, startup from . . . . . . . . . . . 56
troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 power source indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
user-defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Quantitative analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Connecting to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Reference point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
using MAESTRO-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Reports
Cooler found nuclides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
detector warmup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 suspect nuclides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 top lines (most intense) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
shutdown for brief periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 viewing in MAESTRO-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 viewing stored spectra and reports . . . . . . . . 26
Detective-EX Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
ADC setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 "strip chart" (.CHN and .N42) files . . . . . . . 4, 9
amplifier settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 dwell time per channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
docking station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
exhausted battery, startup from . . . . . . . . . . 56 SNM Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
high-voltage setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
power adaptor/charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Spectrum
reinitialization (complete restart) . . . . . . . . . 56 Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
software and firmware versions . . . . . . . . . . 29 enter a description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
stored-spectrum memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 file storage location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
use as conventional MCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 filename formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 25
Display Disabled message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 hiding the spectrum display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 identification (.SPC and .N42) files . . . . . 4, 14
hiding the spectrum display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 quantitative analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Dose-rate detector viewing stored spectra and reports . . . . . . . . 26
reference points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 zoom, marker, scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Gamma dose rate Spectrum memory
setup and defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 stored spectra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
WARNING!!! High Gamma Dose Rate! . . . . 7 stored-spectrum reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Hardware status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Detective-EX/DX® Series HPGe-Based Portable Nuclide Identifiers — Administrator’s Manual

USB Host Enabled message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Wireless communication (IEEE 802.11) . . . . . . 49

72