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Welcome to SkuTek Newsletter!
August 2025 Edition
Where Science Meets Industry
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Welcome to the August edition of Skutek Newsletter. This month, in addition to demonstrating our Nuclear Physics DAQ capabilities we're sharing real experimental results showcasing the FemtoDAQ Vireo's gamma spectroscopy capabilities, and updates to our growing software ecosystem. |
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About SkuTek Instrumentation
SkuTek delivers complete Nuclear Physics DAQ solutions consisting of digitizers, trigger logic units, data collection computers,
and data stream management software covering all the way from detector signals to high performance computing centers. We take care of the entire DAQ chain,
relieving the researchers of DAQ minutiae. Large-Scale DAQ Systems
SkuTek offers end-to-end hardware and software solutions for every stage between detector and HPC centers.
Complete DAQ chain from the detector to the HPC center
The world’s most sensitive dark matter experiment LUX-ZEPLIN has adopted SkuTek DAQ system with 1359 channels. "The Data Acquisition System of the LZ Dark Matter Detector: FADR" arXiv:2405.14732 Table-top digital instruments for research & education
FemtoDAQ Vireo (2-channel) and FemtoDAQ Kingfisher (10-channel): |
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Technology Update
Solidago - UDP event generator, for advanced testing and validation of DAQ systems
Solidago provides comprehensive FPGA-based testing of high performance DAQ Ethernet network infrastructure.
Solidago (indicated in green) testing our 100 Gbps Data Management System
Key features:
Applications:
Learn more here: Solidago - UDP Event Generator Data management and transfer solutions with open-source libraries & tools
We provide a complete path from the detector to the high performance computing centers (HPC). The event files are saved to Data Collector computers with Python and C libraries engineered for throughput in research environment. The files can then transferred to the HPC center of your choice. Our software libraries provide integration with existing DAQ networking infrastructure while providing efficient data transfer to the HPC. Data Collector computers
Software Systems:
Skutek Data Management Utilities
Data Management Utilities:
SkuTek Performance Writing Library (SPEW):
SkuTek Globus Auto File Transfer System:
SkuTek Utilities (Skutils):
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Spotlight: Real-Time Gamma Spectroscopy with MCA mode
Focus on education: FemtoDAQ Vireo delivers live histograms of gamma radiation
Experimental setup showing two NaI(Tl) detectors, the source, and the Vireo digitizer
This month, we're sharing experimental results that showcase the ease of use of our instrumentation. Using our FemtoDAQ Vireo 2-channel digitizer paired with NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors,
we demonstrated gamma-ray spectroscopy of 137Cs and 40K sources. The experiment was rapidly configured using the web interface and the setup consisted of two detectors and the Vireo digitizer.
No other electronics was required.
Results from our experiments:
Real-time 137Cs gamma spectrum generated using Vireo's built-in MCA firmware - no external electronics required.
The detector bias was adjusted in order to match the pulse heights in both channels shown as blue and pink histograms.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity: Built-in Multi Channel Analyzer (MCA) mode enabled real-time histogram visualization and detector PMT gain matching "by eye" using simple HV adjustments - no complex calibration procedures were required. After adjusting the PMT gain we successfully detected the 1460.83 keV γ-ray from naturally occurring 40K in commercial KCl "diet salt" after 5 hours of data taking. It was pretty remarkable that we achieved this feat with 1” x 1” NaI(Tl) detectors.
Real-time 40K histogram from natural potassium in “diet salt”.
The complete setup consisted of the Vireo and two detectors without any pulse shaping electronics. This experiment demonstrates that high quality nuclear spectroscopy is achievable with compact, affordable instrumentation – opening doors for smaller labs and educational institutions to conduct both the research and education. |
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Coming Next Month
Coincidence detection results: First measurements with our new firmware update
Teaching Real Physics
The gamma spectroscopy results demonstrate how modern digital acquisition can make advanced experimental techniques accessible to students at low cost with features including:
Real Research Opportunities
These DAQ systems will excel in diverse applications:
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Let's Connect
Need a custom system? From digitizers to data streaming/offloading, we've got the
tools and the team to help with your research. |
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