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OpenGammaKit
PCB front and back side
OpenGammaKit is an open-source gamma spectrometer hardware platform, inspired by the excellent Open-Gamma-Detector. It takes the original schematic and redesigns the PCB using KiCad (originally designed in EasyEDA), making the project more accessible and modifiable for open hardware enthusiasts.
OpenGammaKit is designed to be affordable, reliable, and easy to integrate with embedded systems, mobile devices, or PCs—ideal for DIY nuclear instrumentation, educational labs, or citizen science.
Order the PCB or PCB + Assembly
You can order the Open Gamma Kit PCB or a fully assembled board directly from PCBWay using the link below:
👉 Order PCB or PCB + Assembly from PCBWay
This helps support the project and ensures high-quality manufacturing.
🔧 Features
- ✅ Based on the Open-Gamma-Detector schematic
- ✅ Complete redesign in KiCad with improved layout and routing
- ✅ USB serial communication (compatible with Android 7.0+ and PCs)
- ✅ Compatible with OGK Inspector Android app and OGK Firmware
- ✅ Real-time gamma spectrum output and spectrometer integration
- ✅ Works with scintillation detectors (e.g., CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl), etc.)
- ✅ Open and editable source files for schematics and PCB
📘Assembly guide, 3D models for enclosure
https://github.com/vikulin/OGK-3D-Models
📂 Repository Contents
/docs/– Spectrum(OGK Inspector)/kicad-libraries/– KiCad libraries, including custom footprints
📷 3D render previews of the boards
📦 Release Contents
OpenGammaKit releases version 0.1.5.5 and later include all the fabrication files required to manufacture and assemble the OpenGammaKit gamma spectrometer hardware:
| File Name | Description |
|---|---|
open-gamma-kit-gerber-files-<version>.zip | 🟢 Complete Gerber and Drill files for PCB fabrication. |
open-gamma-kit-centroid-file-<version>.csv | 📍 Centroid (Pick-and-Place) file in mils for automated assembly. |
open-gamma-kit-<version>.pdf | 📄 PDF documentation |
BOM.csv | 📋 Bill of Materials (not archived — listed separately). |
📁 Location: All files are available in the Assets release section.
🧠 Companion Projects
-
OGK Inspector (Android App)
View spectra, calculate resolution, access terminal mode
👉 OGK-Inspector on GitHub -
OGK Firmware
USB serial interface firmware for supported microcontrollers
👉 OGK Firmware Repository
Spectrum of ²⁴¹Am source measured with NaI(Tl) detector
| Element | Symbol | Atomic Number | Mass Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americium | Am | 95 | 241 |
The spectrum clearly shows two gamma peaks at 59.54 keV and 26.35 keV, both corresponding to emissions from ²⁴¹Am:
- The 59.54 keV peak is the most intense and commonly used for energy calibration.
- The 26.35 keV peak is weaker but still visible, depending on detector resolution and shielding conditions.
📌 These lines are useful for calibration and spectral identification in low-energy gamma spectroscopy using NaI(Tl) detectors.
📜 License
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
See the LICENSE file for details.
🙌 Acknowledgements
- Based on the original design by OpenGammaProject
- Thanks to the open hardware and spectroscopy communities!