SAM 945 Handheld Radiation Isotope Identifier with Reachback

1Overview

The SAM 945 is an all-in-one radiation isotope identifier built for operators who need fast, defensible answers in the field. It pairs a large internal detector with the processing power of modern handheld electronics. The renaissance in smartphone and PDA hardware brought a jump in raw processing speed, and that headroom lets the SAM 945 run statistical calculations and spectral collection at remarkable speed without sacrificing accuracy.

A detachable smartphone interface runs PeakAbout, a free app that manages data and reporting for the instrument. PeakAbout ships with a comprehensive library of 115 isotopes and can expand to 393. The app also enables ALARA practice in the truest sense: operators monitor and control the SAM 945 remotely, keeping distance from the source while the detector stays on target. Berkeley Nucleonics is a world leader in the design and manufacture of radionuclide identification devices, and the SAM 945 reflects that depth.

2Key Features

• Industry's largest internal detector in an all-in-one body, with no detachable detector head to manage.
• PeakAbout free smartphone app included, handling data, reporting, and the full isotope library.
• ALARA remote monitor and control of the SAM 945 over Bluetooth, a new feature that keeps operators back from the source.
• Real-time background correction, a new feature that sharpens identification in changing radiation fields.
• Auto calibration across the full operating band of -20°C to 50°C, with built-in energy stabilization.
• Detachable interface improves operator safety and supports full analysis over wireless communication.
• Append alarms with notes, images, videos, and voice memos for clean, reviewable records.
• Wavelet spectroscopy for refined peak analysis.
• Network using ANSI N42.42 data transmission; compatible with Cambio, Peak Easy, and SAM-Viewer.
• IP65 drop and water-spray enclosure rated to a 1 m drop test.
• DC charging from a vehicle or similar source; more than 8 hours of runtime with a Bluetooth earpiece.

3Detector & Performance

The SAM 945 carries a large-volume internal detector and supports several scintillator choices, so a single platform covers general identification, special nuclear material work, and high-resolution spectroscopy. A GM tube extends coverage into high dose rates, and an optional ³He tube adds neutron detection.

Digital signal processing handles between 250,000 and 400,000 CPS on Cs-137. Maximum count rate runs to 100,000 CPS or 150,000 CPS depending on background and the number of energy peaks present.

4Specifications

Electronics and Performance

Data, Library, and Memory

Smartphone Interface

Communication and Power

Enclosure and Environmental

5Isotope Library

The SAM 945 ships with a standard library of 115 isotopes, expandable to 393 isotopes through PeakAbout. Classifications are color coded and built on standard ANSI N42 compliant libraries, with an optional user-defined library for site-specific work. Identification categories cover the full operational spread:

• SNM (Special Nuclear Material)
• NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material)
• Medical
• Industrial
• User-defined library (optional)
• Standard ANSI N42 compliant libraries

6Options & Configurations

The SAM 945 is ordered by detector configuration, with gamma-only and gamma-plus-neutron variants of each crystal option.

7Applications

• Emergency Response (fire and similar)
• Homeland Security (ports, customs)
• Clandestine Surveillance (public venues)
• HAZMAT (spills, site perimeters)
• Industrial (uranium mining, shale)
• Medical (radiopharmacy, laundry, waste)
• Radiation Safety (nuclear power, HEU)
• Passenger and freight monitoring
• Non-proliferation enforcement (inspections)
• Health Physics (HLW and LLW monitoring, recycling)
• Food, water, and public health
• Unattended and remote monitoring

8Ordering / In the Box

Every SAM 945 ships with the PeakAbout free smartphone app and a comprehensive isotope library (115 isotopes, expandable to 393). Order the system model that matches your detector and neutron needs from Section 6, then add accessories as required.