The Easy-Count instrument is a field deployable smear counter for measurement of surface contamination. It is designed to be used with the Colibri survey meter. Its Silicon PIPS detector with 17 cm² detection area makes it an ideal tool for direct measurement of alpha and beta emitters. PIPS technology brings numerous benefits to a field deployable smear counter.

These are:

• An improved MDA (much lower gamma background compared to other technologies).
• Very good alpha/beta discrimination.
• A durable entrance window (not sensitive to pressure). It is also cleanable!

The Easy-Count unit is an addition to the CANBERRA SMART Probe (CSP) family. It includes all key components of hardware circuitry (high voltage power supply, amplifier, discriminator, etc.). Also, the intelligence associated with controlling those components is located in the counter – including control and storage of key parameters, settings, calibrations, device ID, alarm settings (10 values for each unit to display with default setting), etc. Thus the counter is a fully integrated subsystem taking and transmitting the measurement to the instrument, which is used for display.

With high voltage and digitization of the data occurring in the counter, measurement quality is not dependent on external device quality (cable, host instrument). Moreover, a CSP probe uses a serial protocol to communicate with the host which can be an instrument or a PC.

Calibration and QA measurements can be performed directly with the counter, without even using any instrument, by connecting the Easy-Count unit to a computer with the CANBERRA Smart Probe Software (CSPS™), allowing your instruments to remain deployed in the field.

Once calibrated, Easy-Count instrument is ready to be used as a plug and play “probe” to start a QA measurement in CPM, DPM, DPM/100 cm², c/s, Bqeg, Bqeg/cm². A Colibri meter easily bracket mounts to the Easy-Count system and connects via a coiled cable.

The Easy-Count unit accepts many different sizes of smears and planchets. Smears and planchets are loaded into the counter on a tray that ensures a reproducible geometry. This tray is easily accessible via a front panel rotating door.

A push-button located on the Easy-Count unit housing helps select the counting mode. When pressed, the probe switches to the next mode in a list of three and the LED is activated accordingly: alpha only – LED off, beta only – LED on and alpha+beta – LED blinking.

The Easy-Count system can be easily upgraded (firmware) via CSPS software, a USB cable and a PC.