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