Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

971232

Proposal Number:

23.02-9950

Project Title:

Imaging X-ray Spectrometer using

Tunnel Junctions on Tantalum Crystals

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

We propose to radically extend the capabilities of

cryogenic X-ray detectors by building an innovative

imaging array with good quantum efficiency for

12keV X-rays and good energy resolution while

using conventional, room temperature,

preamplifiers. The thin-film superconducting tunnel

junction (STJ) X-ray detectors we have produced to

date, while setting the standard for such devices in

energy resolution, area, and count-rate capability,

still have been inefficient for high energy X-rays

and fairly small in size. In the work proposed here,

we will build an imaging array of STJ devices on the

surface of a large, superconductive, crystalline

absorber. The large, single absorber with STJ

detectors will provide position information so that a

large area can be imaged with a relatively small

number of detectors and readout electronics. While

not providing the absolute utmost in resolution, the

resulting spectrometer system will combine imaging

capability, large area, high efficiency, and good

resolution with the ease of use allowed by a relative

small number of conventional, room temperature

FET amplifiers.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

The large area, high count-rate capability, high

energy resolution, and ease of use of the proposed

detectors will make them uniquely suited for

commercial application in X-ray microanalysis in

SEMs and for X-ray fluoresence. In these

applications, these devices will yield about an order

of magnitude improvement in resolution over

conventional detectors, easily allowing the

resolution of X-ray lines of light elements, while

providing performance that is otherwise

comparable.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

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

Andrew T. Barfknecht

Conductus, Inc.

969 West Maude Ave.

Sunnyvale , CA 94086

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

City/State/Zip)

Charles E. Shalvoy

Conductus, Inc.

969 West Maude Ave.

Sunnyvale , CA 94086