PerkinElmer XRD 1642 AP25 Digital Detector System

PerkinElmer IMAGING XRD 1642 AP25 DIGITAL DETECTOR SYSTEM

The PerkinElmer IMAGING XRD 1642 AP25 (engineered in partnership with / transitioned to Varex Imaging) is a high-energy amorphous silicon (a-Si) flat panel digital X-ray detector system. Built specifically for demanding industrial non-destructive testing (NDT), radiotherapy verification, and high-energy computed tomography (CT), the XRD 1642 AP platform features a 41 × 41 cm (16-inch) active imaging area with a radiation-hardened housing designed to withstand extreme beam environments.

Operating across a photon energy spectrum ranging from 20 keV up to 15 MV, the AP25 configuration integrates a high-efficiency scintillator screen coupled to low-noise custom ASICs and 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion. Delivering exceptional dynamic range (>87 dB), rapid frame acquisition, and direct Gigabit Ethernet synchronization, this detector is suitable for heavy-wall marine component inspection, casting integrity analysis, pipeline weld verification, and high-throughput real-time industrial radiography.

Model Details

• Manufacturer: PerkinElmer
• Product Line: XRD Series Flat Panel Detectors
• Base Model: XRD 1642 AP
• Specific System Variant / MPN: XRD 1642 AP25
• Matched External Power Unit: XRD-EPS (215W Power Supply Unit)
• Direct Cross-References & Equivalent Variants:
• Varex XRD 1642 AP Series (XRD 1642 AP3, AP25, APN)
• PerkinElmer OEM Part Number Series: 118911-xx / XRD 1642-xx
• Direct form-and-fit legacy replacement for older PerkinElmer RID 1640 / XRD 1640 installations.

Features

1. Radiation-Hardened Sensor Architecture: Built on single-substrate amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFT photodiode technology engineered to resist radiation degradation under high-energy linear accelerator and isotope sources up to 15 MV.
2. High Dynamic Range & 16-Bit Digitization: Captures subtle density gradients with up to 65,536 grayscale steps and >87 dB dynamic range, driven by 8 × 128-channel ultra-low-noise custom ASICs with 6 user-selectable gain modes.
3. Large Active Field of View: 410 mm × 410 mm (16-inch) scanning area with a 1024 × 1024 pixel array at a 400 µm pitch for balanced spatial resolution and photon capture efficiency.
4. High-Speed Real-Time Acquisition: Delivers variable frame rates ranging from standard full-matrix acquisition up to 100 fps in binned/sub-matrix readouts, suited for in-line NDT and 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
5. Industrial Enclosure & Connectivity: Robust milled aluminum housing rated to IP65 environmental sealing, interfaced via reliable Gigabit Ethernet and hardware-isolated X-ray generator synchronization triggers.

System Compatibility

• X-Ray Sources & Accelerators: Compatible with high-frequency constant potential (CP) industrial tubes (Gulmay, Yxlon, Comet, Seifert, Spellman), linear accelerators (Varian/Varex Linatron, Siemens), and radioactive isotope projectors (Ir-192, Co-60).
• Acquisition Software Platforms: Supports Varex Imaging XRD Software Development Kit (SDK), 32-bit and 64-bit Windows acquisition environments, and standard DICOM / DICONDE industrial compliance protocols.
• Reconstruction Workstations: Fully compatible with VGSTUDIO MAX, Volume Graphics, and custom tomographic reconstruction software for volumetric CT generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between the PerkinElmer XRD 1642 and Varex XRD 1642?

The detector is architecturally identical. PerkinElmer’s medical and industrial imaging division was transitioned into Varex Imaging. Units bearing either the PerkinElmer or Varex badge share the same amorphous silicon panel dimensions, low-noise ASIC design, Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol, and mechanical footprint.

Can the XRD 1642 AP25 be used with high-energy gamma isotopes like Cobalt-60 or Iridium-192?

Yes. The XRD 1642 AP platform is radiation-hardened and engineered for energy levels from 20 keV up to 15 MV. For high-energy isotope or Linac operation, using an optional internal or external tungsten/lead backshield cassette is recommended to protect the rear readout electronics from indirect backscatter.

What power supply is required to run the PerkinElmer XRD 1642 AP25?

The unit is powered via an external dedicated XRD-EPS low-noise power supply unit (rated 215 W, operating on 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz). Connecting third-party unregulated DC supplies directly to the detector’s multi-pin interface can damage the high-sensitivity front-end ASICs and void hardware stability.

How do I correct bad pixels or dead pixel clusters on the panel?

The detector operates with factory-supplied defect maps that are uploaded directly into the host acquisition software or driver SDK. During periodic recalibration, field engineers can generate updated bad-pixel and defective-line correction files using uniform flat-field exposure routines to interpolate dead pixels accurately without loss of radiographic diagnostic details.

What is the advantage of the 400 µm pixel pitch in heavy industrial NDT?

While medical mammography or micro-CT systems use 50–100 µm pixels, heavy industrial radiography (such as thick steel castings, pipeline welds, and large marine structural joints) requires maximum photon collection efficiency, wider dynamic range, and high SNR under high penetrating energies. The 400 µm pixel pitch provides a deep full-well charge capacity, rapid frame rates, and resilience against high-dose saturation.