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Thin-Window P-Type Point-Contact Germanium Detectors for Rare Particle Detection

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Energy 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
97839 		Solicitation Year:
2011 		Solicitation Topic Code:
45 c 		Solicitation Number:
DE-FOA-0000413
Small Business Information
Phds Co.
3011 Amherst Road Knoxville, TN 37921-3713
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Thin-Window P-Type Point-Contact Germanium Detectors for Rare Particle Detection
Agency: DOE
Contract: DE-FG02-11ER90091
Award Amount: $150,000.00
 

Abstract:

Difficulties associated with thick lithium-diffused entrance windows on the outside of p-type coaxial and point-contact germanium gamma-ray detectors have always been a technical hindrance. The lithium dead layer limits the low-energy detection range and adds background in the energy spectrum, thereby limiting commercial access to application areas including pure-science measurements, programmatic security measures, and clinical molecular-imaging supported by the Department of Energy. For large-scale low-background counting experiments to proceed with the best possible efficiency, better detector contact technology must be developed. Funding of this SBIR will provide the technical underpinnings to save tens of millions of dollars on low-background counting arrays built by the DOE during the next decade while providing detectors with better performance. A new thin contact technology, discovered by PHDs Co, has the potential to replace the ubiquitous thick lithium-diffused contact and, in doing so, provide an economical solution to these detection issues. The Phase I will experimentally demonstrate the viability of the new thin contact for low-background detector fabrication. The Phase II will experimentally develop the MJY commercial low-background detector product line to fill the need. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: In addition to low-background counting, the Federal Government supports both pure and applied science applications including nuclear physics, astrophysics, security, and nuclear medicine (molecular imaging) that will greatly benefit from the availability of this new detector technology.

Principal Investigator:

Ethan Hull
Dr.
865-481-3725
ethanhull@phdsco.com

Business Contact:

Ethan Hull
Dr.
865-481-3725
ethanhull@phdsco.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Phds Co.
3011 Amherst Road Knoxville, TN 37921-3713

EIN/Tax ID: 680625833
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No