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Compound Refractive Lenses for Thermal Neutron Applications

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Energy 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
89680 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
86405 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Adelphi Technology, Inc.
2003 East Bayshore Rd Redwood City, CA 94063-4121
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Compound Refractive Lenses for Thermal Neutron Applications
Agency: DOE
Contract: DE-FG02-08ER84991
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

Refractive lenses can dramatically improve neutron instrumentation in DOE facilities. In previous experiments, compound refractive lenses (CRLs) were shown to be capable of imaging using thermal neutrons. However, a number of problems exist that prevent the full implementation of these lenses: the initial prototype lenses, which used compression molding of metals, have long focal lengths, small fields of view, poor surface quality, and material inhomogeneities. To achieve shorter focal lengths and shorter neutron wavelengths, the radii of curvature must be reduced. This project will use an injection-molding bubble injection process to design and fabricate refractive lenses that will be able to focus, collimate, and image thermal neutrons. Both simple concave and Fresnel lenses will be investigated. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new CRLs should provide better resolution and higher quality images. They will be inexpensive, compact, and capable of imaging using thermal neutrons with wide bandwidth spectra. Since CRLs should have very modest cost, they would be much less expensive than the large mirrors and other optics currently used. Many scientific and technological applications should ensue, including microscopy, scattering, interferometry, crystallography, and reflectometry.

Principal Investigator:

Charles Gary
Dr.
cgary@adelphitech.com

Business Contact:

Melvin A. Piestrup
Dr.
6504742750
melpie@adelphitech.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Adelphi Technology, Inc.
2003 East Bayshore Road Redwood City, CA 94063

EIN/Tax ID: 770127459
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No