SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The goal of the research is to provide pixelated diamond x-ray detectors with the required readout electronics for transmission imaging of hard and soft x-ray beams to facilitate the use of dynamic focusing at advanced light source facilities. This program investigates the use of diamond detectors and the associated readout electronics for x-ray imaging. The present technology, developed by Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratories, uses a pixelated single-crystal diamond detector connected to discrete readout electronics. While the performance of this technology is suitable for many imaging applications, the long lead times associated with electronic grade single-crystal diamonds constrains its use in commercial products, and the discrete readout electronics is not easily scaled to larger pixel counts associated with larger detector areas. The Phase-1 effort defined the anticipated performance specifications of polycrystalline diamond and presented a preliminary design review for the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-based readout electronics. The design of the detector was determined, the key components were characterized, and a preliminary design review for the diamond detector and the ASIC-based readout electronics concept was developed. A prototype of the diaphanous-diamond x-ray-beam imaging sensor was fabricated, tested, and demonstrated at the NSLS-II 17-BM beam line in Brookhaven National Laboratories. The Phase 2 effort will transfer the sensor fabrication technology to RMD and develop a prototype imaging system. The Phase-2 prototype will include the electronic readout of the beam monitor based on the ASIC design concept developed in Phase-1. Prototype beam monitors will be fabricated and characterized at the NSLS-II beam line. The development of the proposed product supports DOE facilities, such as BNL and the MaRIE accelerator at LANL; however, the commercial opportunity arises from the need to provide systems with an ASIC-based readout for multi-channel nuclear detectors that are used in imaging, handheld, and standoff detection of nuclear materials.
