One-Piece Kumakhov Optics to Achieve Increased Control of X-Ray and Neutron Beams

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Capillary-based optics (Kumakhov optics) control X-ray and low-energy neutron beams by means of multiple reflections at less than the critical angle. Optics have demonstrated the capability to form convergent or quasi-parallel beams. Such controlled beams have applications in many X-ray and neutron material analysis techniques. Although the current generation of Kumakhov optics can provide substantial benefit, assembly constraints limit the achievable transmission efficiency, energy range, alignment, and minimum focal spot size of the resulting beam. For many material analysis techniques these beam parameters affect the spatial resolution, detection limits, and measurement time. A new generation of Kumakhov optics will be developed to improve X-ray and neutron beam control. These optics will be manufactured as a single piece. The channels which deflect the photons or neutrons will have variable diameters over the length of the optic. The Phase I effort will include Monte Carlo simulations of X-ray transmission efficiency and exit divergence with such structures, and experimental measurements of the X-ray transmission properties of a few early one-piece prototypes. Phase II would include development and testing of fully functional one-piece optics. Such optics could potentially produce X-ray or neutron focal spot sizes 10 >m and channel x-rays with energies 100 keV.