Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

971262

Proposal

Number:

18.01-2468A

Project Title:

NEXT-GENERATION,

ROOM-TEMPERATURE XRF SYSTEM

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

Current X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) systems for

space in situ analysis and experimentation are

inadequate due to one or more of their basic

characteristics. Thus there are no room

temperature XRF systems, presently, which

simultaneously offer: large detector active area and

high energy resolution. The goal of this proposal is

to develop a novel, high performance XRF system

based on large active-area Silicon Drift Detectors

(SDD) that can operate over wide temperature and

pressure ranges to provide precise and accurate

elemental analysis of rock and soil samples as is

necessary for the Solar System Exploration

program. During Phase I we will develop a

demonstration unit consisting of a miniaturized, low

weight and, low power x-ray spectrometer based on

the large active area (50-100 mm2) SDD structure.

The electronic noise level of this system will be less

than 250 eV (FWHM). This level of energy

resolution with such a large active area will already

constitute a better than ten-fold improvement over

any existing x-ray spectroscopy system operating

near room temperature. In Phase II we will further

reduce the noise level of the system down to 70 eV

(FWHM) by use of SDD structures with integrated

first stage FETs. The unit developed during Phase I

will serve as a basic building block for the

construction of the XRF system in Phase II of the

project. The finalized XRF instrument will contain

the spectrometer, an excitation source, processing

electronics, and supporting software for data

collection and XRF analysis. The overall goal for

total mass, power and volume of the XRF

instrument is less than 1 kg, 1 W, and 1 liter,

respectively. High data rate will be assured by the

large active area (large solid angle) of the x-ray

detector, optimized geometry for sample excitation,

efficient software, and unparalleled high

performance of the system.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

New small x-ray detector systems with unparalleled

high spectrometric performance obtained by new

large active area detectors which can operate near

room temperature with low power consumption will

be the basis of a new generation of novel portable

XRF spectrometry instruments. These new

instruments open up numerous important market

opportunities in the area of environmental

contamination monitoring and industrial process

control and material identification

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Jan S. Iwanczyk, Ph.D.

Photon Imaging, Inc.

19355 Business Ctr. Dr., Suite 8

Northridge , CA 91324

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Bradley E. Patt, Ph.D.

Photon Imaging, Inc.

19355 Business Cntr. Dr., Suite 8

Northridge , CA 91324