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Growth of Large Diameter High-Purity Germanium Crystals for Nuclear Physics…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Energy 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
95018 		Solicitation Year:
2011 		Solicitation Topic Code:
46 b 		Solicitation Number:
DE-FOA-0000508
Small Business Information
Phds Co.
3011 Amherst Road Knoxville, TN 37921-3713
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Growth of Large Diameter High-Purity Germanium Crystals for Nuclear Physics Research
Agency: DOE
Contract: DE-FG02-10ER85953
Award Amount: $1,000,000.00
 

Abstract:

DOE Nuclear Physics user facilities require larger high-resolution gamma-ray detector systems to provide higher sensitivity measurements. Large diameter germanium crystals are being grown, evaluated, and iteratively improved in the laboratory. Large-diameter crystals will be made into large segmented planar detectors to demonstrate the viability of the crystals and the advanced detection capabilities for DOE Nuclear Physics measurements. Numerous large germanium crystals were grown under varied thermal conditions to eliminate a severe crystallography problem previously observed in the crystals. Excellent gamma-ray energy spectroscopy and uniform impurity concentration were established. Numerous extremely large diameter germanium crystals will be grown using the thermal conditions developed during Phase I. The crystal properties will be fine-tuned to allow fabrication of 150-mm through 200mm diameter germanium detectors. Fully operational large-diameter segmented planar detector systems will be fabricated and evaluated as a demonstration of the technology. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: In addition to immediate impact at DOE user facilities performing Nuclear Physics and rare-particle detection measurements, the detectors from these larger diameter germanium crystals will impact nuclear security, nuclear cleanup, and nuclear medicine. Molecular imaging in nuclear medicine represents the most significant commercial application. From growing the germanium crystal to constructing a final detector system, the manufacturing process will always require good scientists, engineers, technicians, and association with research scientists at DOE laboratories.

Principal Investigator:

Richard Pehl
Dr.
8654145434
dickpehl@phdsco.com

Business Contact:

Ethan Hull
Dr.
8654813725
ethanhull@phdsco.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Phds Co.
777 Emory Valley Road Suite B Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7048

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