Megachannel Analyzers

The need for multiparameter multichannel analyzers which span a range of millions of channels is easily demonstrated. To meet this need three basically different techniques have been developed: event recording, multi-window preselection, and associative-memory analysis. Criteria for choosing between the various systems or combinations of them are reviewed. Within each analyzer class, design features which have proved effective in hardware and software implementations are presented. Two new systems, presently operational at our laboratory, are described. The first, a computer time-shared, magnetic tape, three-dimensional event recorder, has additional facilities for accumulating analysis and display of any three single dimensional spectra. Display selection parameters and window boundaries are all inserted by direct light pen manipulation on the data field. A second megachannel analyzer system, which uses computer programmed associative-memory techniques offers the user a more effective utilization of core memory than was attainable in the past. Finally, certain features such as speed, event entry, and memory utilization are reviewed in the context of the various systems.