NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Germanium Strip Detector System for X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The objective of the proposed program is to build a double-sided Germanium Strip Detector (GSD) system with associated low-power CMOS integrated electronics for high-resolution x-ray and gamma-ray spectrometry and imaging. This new detector system will provide superior energy resolution combined with 2-D imaging at photon energies in the 15 keV to 1.5 meV range in a single instrument. The detector development will utilize the significant advantages of germanium over other detector technologies in sensitivity, energy resolution, and position resolution, and result in a prototype GSD system with energy resolution better than 1.5 keV and spatial resolution better than 500 mm. Two specific NASA space science areas would directly benefit from such detectors: hard x-ray imaging using advanced multi-layer mirrors and gamma-ray spectroscopy in the MEV energy range. Germanium strip detectors would be ideal as focal planes for coded-aperture or grazing incidence x-ray mirrors, and as detection elements of improved Compton-scatter and Fourier imaging telescopes. The proposed detector system would be suitable as imaging component for gamma-ray instruments on small space science missions, for example on a future Small Explorer (SMEX) mission.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATION include medical radiological tomography, imaging of radioavtive materials for nuclear arms and waste monitoring, and non-destructive testing and evaluation of structures and materials using x-rays.

Willi Scwarz
Physical Sciences, Inc -- Washington Office
5705A General Washington Drive
Alexandria, VA 22312

Physical Sciences, Inc -- Corporate Office
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077