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Focusing Neutrons Using Replicated Optics--X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc., 30 Corporate Circle, Albany, NY  12203; 518-464-3334

Dr. Michele McColgan, Principal Investigator

Mr. David Usher, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER83127

Amount:  $99,369

 

The long term monitoring of hazardous metals in soils, water, and air at DOE sites is typically done by off-site x-ray fluorescence analysis.  The detection sensitivity is low and the equipment required is relatively complicated.  Both detection sensitivity and system flexibility need to be improved for in situ applications.  An innovative microbeam x-ray fluorescence system coupled with a polycapillary focusing optic will significantly improve the detection sensitivity of x-ray fluorescence analysis, with simple sample preparation.  The reduced power requirement and smaller components make it possible to produce a compact system for in-situ measurement.  A polycapillary optic will be designed for an existing x-ray fluorescence analysis setup.  A set of soil, water and air samples representing the interests of DOE will be measured on the polycapillary-based x-ray fluorescence system to demonstrate the performance improvement.  The feasibility of a field-deployable system will be evaluated.

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  The success of the project will demonstrate the capability of the system and benefit the remote monitoring of hazardous metals at hundreds of DOE sites.  It will also draw a great interest from other industries such as semiconductors and microelectronics.  The sale of microbeam x-ray fluorescence systems will increase substantially.