The Hidex ULLA combines existing technology, latest innovations and modern usability
The Hidex ULLA addresses the increasing demand for a truly low-level liquid scintillation counter which has been absent since the discontinuation of the Quantulus 1220. Applications in hydrogeology when mapping global clean water resources, detection of biogenic carbon content in materials, or measuring trace concentrations of alpha and beta isotopes in soil, food, and drinking water require absolute accuracy and precision. Hidex have developed the next state-of-the-art counter to meet these requirements.
Ultra low background and triple coincidence detector
The ULLA achieves low background with a heavy passive lead shield and geometrically optimal active guard, which surrounds a modern triple-PMT detector facilitating exceptionally high counting efficiency, luminescence free counting, and absolute activity counting by TDCR, a metrology technique.
Vials are deionised prior to loading to remove static electricity. Cooling modules maintain the sample stability and in optimum temperature for the highest counting efficiency possible. The detector chamber can be flushed with nitrogen to remove Rn-222 gas, often found in underground mines, homes, and buildings near mountainous environments.
Exceptionally high counting efficiency
The ULLA utilizes three PMTs aligned at 120° from each other. Optimum detection geometry yields better detection geometry than conventional double coincidence detectors.
Example: Efficiency for H-3 in 20ml vials
| Hidex triple detectors | Conventional double detectors | |
| Unquenched | >70% | 65% |
| H-3 in water | >35% | 25% |
| H-3 in water, high quench | 10% | 5% |
Hidex ULLA existing users
Click the tabs below to learn more about customers and their applications for the Hidex ULLA.
IAEA’s Isotope Hydrology Laboratory
The IAEA confirms the Hidex ULLA’s suitability for contemporary ultra-low-level tritium analysis
In a recent study by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the ULLA was rigorously tested at its Isotope Hydrology Laboratory (IHL) to assess its efficacy in measuring low 3H concentrations in environmental water samples.
The Hidex ULLA’s performance exceed expectations, with the IAEA noting, "The ULLA demonstrated high precision and accuracy in measuring ultra-low-level tritium concentrations in environmental water samples [and] exhibited excellent stability and linearity over extended measurement periods (1 month),” which is crucial for long-term environmental monitoring and research.
The study confirmed that its detection limits are ideal for contemporary 3H levels in environmental water samples, addressing key analytical challenges, and positioning it as a robust, reliable instrument for ongoing and future detection requirements.
You can find out more about the IAEA's study by clicking the button below.
André E. Lalonde AMS Laboratory, University of Ottawa, Canada
Measuring environmental tritium
The André E. Lalonde Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Laboratory at the University of Ottawa is the first site in North America to use the Hidex ULLA, where it measures low levels of environmental tritium. The lab is Canada's national center for environmental radioisotope analysis and research in environmental sciences, health sciences, and nuclear energy. The facility measures trace concentrations of radioisotopes and other rare elements in the environment from both natural sources and human activities.
Tritium & Noble Gas Laboratory Manager Anthony Lapp said, “The Hidex ULLA gives us higher efficiencies, better results, lower uncertainties. All that lead shielding is needed to lower the background and produce lower uncertainties in the results. It has a lot of innovations and conveniences. The antistatic feature to deionise the sample vials is helpful to negate false counts or higher background, and the active guard around the triple PMTs helps give greater counting efficiencies. It’s been very exciting to have the Hidex ULLA installed and working."
You can find out more about what Anthony had to say about the Hidex ULLA and his research by clicking the button below.
Documents
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Hidex-ULLA-US-Version-1.0
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