A solution to the need for OD 3 to OD 10 neutral density filters in the infrared (2 to 25 um) with flat wavelength dependence is suggested using submicron thickness polymer films as substrates for multi-layer or co-deposited metallic alloy coatings. Initial studies used Lexan and although they… More

Metalized polyimide films have become a standard for soft x-ray filters due to polyimide¿s strength and thermal stability. Utilization of polyimide support has led to increasingly larger and thinner filters, and throughput on missions such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been increased… More

65884 In the operation of compact plasma Wakefield accelerators, a filter is required to separate the laser beam from the electronic beam, and to provide electron beam diagnostics. Currently available technology does not permit the construction of suitably flat, ultrathin filters. This project… More

65253 It is desirable to mass produce low cost targets for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) by a fully automated process. This project will adapt and improve techniques currently in development for producing targets for the National Ignition Facility for this application. In particular, an… More

Freestanding metallized polyimide films have become a standard for soft x-ray filters. The strength and thermal stability of polyimide has been used to advantage in producing increasingly larger and thinner filters. To continue this trend and to improve the durability and throughput of filters for… More

Freestanding metallized polyimide films have become a standard for soft x-ray filters. The strength and thermal stability of polyimide has been used to advantage in producing increasingly larger and thinner filters. To continue this trend and to improve the durability and throughput of filters for… More

65884 In plasma wakefield acceleration, electron and laser beams emerge together from the plasma. A filter is required to separate the two beams and to provide electron beam diagnostics. The filter must be thin enough, so as not to impede the electron beam, and highly reflective, in… More

70318 A major challenge to demonstrating the feasibility of pulsed-power-driven Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) is the repetitive replacement of the target assembly. The target assembly consists of a spherical capsule, filled with cryogenic deuterium-titrium, and surrounded by a cylinder of… More

65884 In plasma wakefield acceleration, electron and laser beams emerge together from the plasma. A filter is required to separate the two beams and to provide electron beam diagnostics. The filter must be thin enough, so as not to impede the electron beam, and highly reflective, in… More

Metalized polyimide films have become a standard for soft x-ray filters due to polyimide¿s strength and thermal stability. Utilization of polyimide support has led to increasingly larger and thinner filters, and throughput on missions such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been increased… More

Metalized polyimide films have become a standard for soft x-ray filters due to polyimide¿s strength and thermal stability. Utilization of polyimide support has led to increasingly larger and thinner filters, and throughput on missions such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been increased… More

72259S03-I The proposed target for heavy-ion-driven inertial fusion energy (IFE) consists of a spherical capsule suspended in the middle of a cylindrical hohlraum. The capsule must be accurately located (¿ microns) by two ultra-thin membranes which must have high strength, high radiation… More

The proposed innovation combines advances in EUV multilayer coating technology with Luxel?s long established manufacturing techniques to produce thin foil EUV and X-ray transmission filters. Currently, EUV filter passbands are limited to those that can be created from combinations of the natural… More

72259-The future of inertial fusion energy depends upon the successful demonstration of ignition and gain. Ignition and other inertial confinement fusion experiments require thin, shaped membranes for target components. In most target concepts, the spherical fuel capsule is suspended in the middle… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this Phase I SBIR project is to demonstrate fully the feasibility of nano-thin, high strength, polyimide membrane as a significantly improved sample support for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM samples are currently supported on metal… More

Advanced imaging spectrometers for x-ray astronomy will require significant improvements in the high density interconnects between the detector arrays and the first stage electronics. These detectors operate at 50 to 100 mK, while the first stage is held between 1.3-1.5 K. Interconnects are needed… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this Phase II project is to fully develop and characterize the performance of nano-thin polyimide membrane sample supports for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and to design, test, and implement batch- to mass-production techniques in order… More

Next generation astrophysical observatories need improvements in readout electronics and associated high density interconnects. In particular, advanced imaging spectrometers for x-ray astronomy will require significant improvements in the high density interconnects between the detector arrays and… More

X-ray microcalorimeters have developed to provide unprecedented energy resolution and signal sensitivity. To take maximum advantage of the microcalorimeter's performance, a new and improved blocking filter stack is needed to further enhance low level sensitivity and mission throughput. The… More

NASA will fly x-ray microcalorimeters on several mission payloads scheduled within the next 5 years: New and improved IR/Visible blocking filters are urgently needed to realize the full potential and throughput of these missions. The innovation proposed, high transmission polyimide support mesh,… More

Researchers using beam lines at the Nation¿s synchrotron light sources require specimen holders that can control the sample environment, in order to investigate materials in their natural state and under controlled experimental conditions. Many materials are best studied in a wet or hydrated… More

To fully realize the advances NASA has made in x-ray microcalorimeter detectors, x-ray filters with enhanced out-of-band performance are needed. Blocking filters are essential components in these cryogenic detectors to minimize thermal load while admitting the soft x-rays of interest. Theoretically,… More