Welcome to SkuTek DAQ news!
January 2026 edition
News editors: Ujval Madhu, Edmond Tan, Research Engineers
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We wish you a prosperous New Year 2026!
In this issue, we present our research-grade digitizers which deliver high performance spectroscopy, sub‑ns timing, and easy scaling to 1000+ channels. We also describe a Compton coincidence experiment performed with our table top unit.
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Product spotlight
FemtoDAQ Vireo 2-channel digitizer
Modern FPGA based digitization for bench-top experimentation
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The FemtoDAQ Vireo is an affordable 2-channel table-top digitizer. It works without external NIM electronics.
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FemtoDAQ Vireo 2-channel digitizer.
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Key features:
- 2 Channels, 14 bits @ 100 MHz ADC per channel
- FPGA based real-time pulse processing implements timing filters, discriminators, coincidence logic and scalers.
- Can process signals from scintillators, SiPMs, and virtually any other detector.
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- Live histograms, 2D correlation plots, and waveforms directly in the browser.
- Integrated SiPM bias supply from 11 to 56 volts.
- Customizable file output formats.
- Open-source Python and C libraries.
- External trigger and clock synchronization.
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Applications:
• Gamma-ray spectroscopy
• Coincidence measurements
• Time-of-flight experiments
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• Scintillator characterization
• Educational labs
• Radiation monitoring
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Chickadee 32-channel digitizer
Scalable high-performance digitization
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The Chickadee DAQ System can be scaled from 32 channels to thousands providing high speed 1G readout from each board. 10G is available as an option.
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Scalable architecture with 32 channels per module, 14‑bit resolution at 100 MHz sampling. Timestamp and triggers can be synchronized across multiple units. Sub-nanosecond time resolution can be achieved with fast signals thanks to low noise and excellent pulse shape response.The system supports a wide range of detectors, HPGe, liquid noble gas arrays, Si detectors.
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SkuTek Chickadee 32-Channel Digitizer. Real time data acquisition demonstration at APS DNP conference, Fall 2025.
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FPGA-powered signal processing:
Real-time pulse height, shape analysis, timestamp extraction, and configurable trigger logic with multiplicity counting.
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High-speed triggered and triggerless:
1 Gbps streaming per module (default) and optional 10 Gbps streaming, with both triggered and triggerless operation.
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Open software ecosystem:
Open-source Python/C libraries, GRETA ‑ compatible event format, Debian Linux for control and monitoring over network.
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Clock and channel synchronization:
Facility clock integration, and VME backplane trigger distribution. Timestamps can be synchronized with other facility electronics.
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VME module format:
VME card format simplifies system building and delivers power but does not rely on the VME data plane. Each module can operate in parallel with Ethernet readout and control.
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Example table-top experiment
Demonstrating Compton scattering through coincidence detection
Developed for student labs and classrooms
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We demonstrate Compton scattering with coincidence measurement using the Vireo's coincidence firmware.
Experiment 1: 180° Compton back scattering
We used two NaI(Tl) detectors positioned at 180°, with signals processed by Vireo. We applied a coincidence window of 100ns between both the channels replacing traditional NIM electronics. The histogram and the 2D correlation plot were collected using a 137Cs source.
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The complete experimental setup configured for Compton back scattering at 180°.
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The 137Cs 1D histograms from both channels were dominated by the Compton edge and the Compton backscatter peaks due to 662 keV gamma ray scattering, visible in both channels due to the symmetric detector setup. The "singles" peaks at 32 keV and 662 keV were due to random coincidences.
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2D correlation plot of pulse heights with coincidence and 180° geometry. The red spots indicate the true coincidence between the backscatter photon from the one detector and the Compton edge in the other detector.The plot is symmetric due to the symmetry of the detector setup.
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Experiment 2: 90° scattering angle
In the next step, we positioned the detector B at the right angle with respect to the detector A and the source. We used a lead shield to prevent the direct gammas from entering the detector B. In this geometry, we observed Compton scattering of the gamma ray from detector A to detector B at 90°. The 2D correlation plot reflected the new scattering angle.
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2D correlation plot (90° geometry). The Compton edge and backscatter components merge into a single anti-diagonal band.
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These results demonstrate Vireo's ability to collect coincidence events without using external NIM electronics. Details are available upon request.
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The relevance for education
Our results demonstrate how SkuTek's digital DAQ can be used to teach students modern digital techniques such as:
- Live histogram and 2D correlation display for immediate feedback.
- Built-in pulse processing without external analog electronics.
- Python/C scripting will allow students to easily modify examples and develop their own creative experiments and solutions.
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Connecting with the Nuclear Physics community
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We attended he Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Physics SBIR/STTR exchange meeting:
Two of our principal investigators presented online, covering our current research directions and findings. Presentations from the SBIR/STTR meeting can be found here:
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We participated in the workshop on New Generations of Detector and Data Acquisition Systems for Nuclear Physics at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University:
More Information is available here »
Participants at the NEXTGENNDD workshop (Photo courtesy: FRIB).
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American Physical Society division of Nuclear Physics Fall 2025:
We set up a table and presented our DAQ developments.
More Information is available here »
SkuTek presentation at the APS DNP Conference, Jackson Hebel (Sr. Research Engineer) and Wojciech Skulski (CTO).
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Inspiring tomorrow's scientists: Nuclear Science Day for Scouts
On October 11, 2025, over 250 young scouts and leaders joined Berkeley Lab's Nuclear Science Division along with Advanced Light Source, and the Berkeley Lab K-12 STEM Education & Outreach for the 13th Annual Nuclear Science Day for Scouts. The event focused on International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. We’re proud to have played a role in this event, by supporting a "Hands-On-Radioactivity" station demonstrating cosmic-ray detection using our Vireo digitizer shown earlier in this newsletter.
Read the full article »
A full auditorium of scouts and leaders ready to head off for their day at LBNL. (Credit: Heather Crawford)
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A preview of the next Newsletter
A description and results from our a classic cosmic ray capture-and-decay, using a plastic scintillator detector and the Vireo digitizer without any external logic.
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We appreciate your feedback
Please let us know whether you liked our Newsletter. Was it too terse, or perhaps too wordy? Do you want to learn more? Please send us an e-mail and let us know about your needs in the field of data acquisition electronics. We are always listening to the community needs!
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