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