| A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Superconducting Tunnel Junctions X-ray Spectrometer |
| Program Summary |
 |
| Title: |
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Superconducting Tunnel Junctions X-ray Spectrometer |
| GovCB Opps ID : |
ADP11994067590000896 |
| Document Type: |
Special Notice |
| FSC Code: |
A - Research and development
|
| Solicitation No.: |
Reference-Number-FBO162-08 |
| Source: |
http://www2.fbo.gov/spg/DOE/LLNL/LL/Reference%2DNumber%2DFBO162%2D08/Synopsis.html |
Posted Date:
|
Jan 03, 2008 |
| Last Update: |
Jan 03, 2008 |
| Due Date: |
Feb 04, 2008 |
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| Description |
|
General Information
| Document Type: |
Special Notice |
| Solicitation Number: |
Reference-Number-FBO162-08 |
| Posted Date: |
Jan 03, 2008 |
| Original Response Date: |
Feb 04, 2008 |
| Current Response Date: |
Feb 04, 2008 |
| Original Archive Date: |
Feb 05, 2008 |
| Current Archive Date: |
Feb 05, 2008 |
| Classification Code: |
A -- Research & Development |
| Naics Code: |
238990 -- All Other Specialty Trade Contractors |
Contracting Office Address
Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue L-795, Livermore, CA, 94550, UNITED STATES
Description
TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Superconducting Tunnel Junctions X-ray Spectrometer
Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license its technology Superconducting Tunnel Junctions (STJ) X-ray Spectrometer.
Background: Cryogenic detectors have been under development as energy dispersive X-ray detectors with high energy resolution for over a decade. Cryogenic detectors rely on measuring low-energy solid-state excitations as part of their detection mechanism, and therefore must be operated at temperatures typically below 1K to avoid excess thermal excitations. While the energy resolution for X-rays achieved with cryogenic detectors is an order of magnitude better than for conventional, ionization-based semiconductor detectors, most of the cryogenic detectors developed thus far suffer from slow speed.
Description: LLNL?s X-ray spectrometers based on STJ have been developed for high-resolution soft X-ray spectroscopy. STJ consist of two superconducting thin film electrodes separated by a thin insulating tunnel barrier. They measure X-ray energies from the increase in tunneling current after X-ray absorption in one of the electrodes excites additional charge carriers above the superconducting energy gap. STJ have an energy resolution an order of magnitude higher than conventional energy-dispersive X-ray detectors based on germanium or silicon semiconductors. The short life time of X-ray induced excess charges allows detector operation at several 10,000 counts/per detector pixel. Effective area and total count rate capabilities have been increased by developing detector arrays.
For additional technical information, refer to published articles:
?The superconducting high-resolution soft X-ray spectrometer at the advanced
biological and environmental X-ray facility? Nuclear Instruments and Methods in
Physics Research A 582 (2007) 187?189
?Energy resolution and high count rate performance of superconducting
tunnel junction x-ray spectrometers? American Institute of Physics
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 69 .1., January 1998
Advantages:
The high energy resolution combined with the high count rate capabilities and high quantum efficiency of STJ detectors greatly enhance the sensitivity of non-destructive analysis by X-ray spectroscopy at electron and photon sources whenever conventional semiconductor detectors lack energy resolution and grating spectrometers lack detection efficiency. This includes energy-dispersive spectroscopy at scanning-electron or X-ray microscopes for defect analysis of small particles on semiconductor wafers. It also includes fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy for chemical state analysis of dilute specimens at synchrotron light sources.
Compared to other superconducting detector technologies that require operating temperatures of approximately 0.1K and costly superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) preamplifiers, STJ detectors can be operated at temperatures up to approximately 0.5 K and be read out with simple FET preamplifiers at room temperature. This reduces price and improves reliability.
Potential Applications:
There is a wide range of applications for energy-dispersive, high-resolution X-ray spectrometers with high count rate capability. These applications include:
? semiconductor industry material analysis by X-ray fluorescence analysis
? total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis or microanalysis in combination with a scanning electron microscope
? high-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy at synchrotron light sources for material and life science
? plasma diagnostics
? EUV and X-ray astrophysics and ?-particle spectroscopy
With larger STJ detector arrays, future commercial and scientific applications may include:
? medical X-Ray imaging
? X-ray, UV and optical imaging in astrophysics
Development Status:
Several high-resolution STJ spectrometers have been built and operated successfully since 1999. A prototype commercial instrument is currently being tested that uses a mechanical cryocooler for precooling to 4K and attains the required base temperature without the use of liquid cryogens.
LLNL has an issued patent covering this invention, U.S. Patent No. 6,528,814 B1 ?Cryogenic, High-Resolution X-ray Detector with High Count Rate Capability?, March 4, 2003.
LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.
Please visit the IPAC website at http://www.llnl.gov/IPandC/workwithus/partneringprocess.php
for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.
Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's STJ X-Ray Spectrometer should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following:
1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.
Written responses should be directed to:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Industrial Partnerships Office
P.O. Box 808, L-795
Livermore, CA 94551-0808
Attention: FBO 162-08
Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's STJ X-Ray Spectrometer.
Point of Contact
Connie Pitcock, Administration, Phone 925-422-1072, Fax 925-423-8988, Email pitcock1@llnl.gov
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