mca Documentation

Mark Rivers

University of Chicago

mca supports Multi-Channel Analyzers (hence the name), and also related devices such as multi-channel scalers (MCS), waveform digitizers, and programmable ADCs, amplifiers and power supplies.

mca consists of:

EPICS MCA client software.

A basic interface to the mca record is provided with medm. These screens allow one to control acquisition, view spectra on a linear or logarithmic scale. There are no markers or cursors, or tools for energy calibration or peak fitting.

mca.adl

medm mca record screen.

mca.png

There is a setup window for controlling preset count times, update rates, etc.

mca_setup.adl

medm mca setup screen.

mca_setup.png

An IDL MCA display program is available, shown in the screen show below. This program is available in both a source code version that requires and IDL license to run, and also in a pre-compiled form that can be run under the IDL Virtual Machine for free. It provides tools for energy calibration and peak fitting.

IDL mcaDisplay

IDL MCA display.

idl_mca.png

Another IDL tool is provided for controlling multi-elemement detectors (MED). This screen allows one to display one spectrum at a time in the IDL MCA display tool above, and to turn off and on acquisition simultaneously on all detectors.

The IDL MCA display and multi-element display tools have also been ported to Python. With the advent of the IDL Virtual Machine that allows IDL programs to be run for free I am no longer actively working on the Python versions, but it is available.


Suggestions and Comments to:
Mark Rivers : (rivers@cars.uchicago.edu)