SBIR Phase I: Development of a Long Life Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier Tube for High Flux Applications through the Innovative Application of Nanofilms

SBIR 第一阶段：通过纳米薄膜的创新应用，开发用于高通量应用的长寿命微通道板光电倍增管

• 批准号: 1046903
• 负责人: Neal Sullivan
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Arradiance, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2011-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1046903&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Development; Long; Life

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes a revolutionary approach to extending the lifetime of microchannel plate (MCP) photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) using atomic layer deposited (ALD) nanofilms to suppress the creation of damaging positive ions. The technical and intellectual merits of this proposal are noteworthy: our state-of-the-art ALD capabilities will transform mature MCP technology, creating the capability for high flux detection. Previous attempts to improve MCP-PMT capabilities in this area have resulted in reduced responsiveness and resolution. We have obtained preliminary results which have attracted the attention of major companies in the image intensifier industry, demonstrating a strong market interest should this feasibility study succeed. The major points of the research plan are i) to optimize the nanofilm properties, ii) to apply the optimized film to commercial MCPs obtained from an industrial partner, iii) to insert the modified MCPs into a special prototype device, and iv) to test this enhanced device and evaluate its performance, in conjunction with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The assembled team is well-matched to this proposal, featuring a combination of our ALD process and materials science skills with UTA's detector development prowess, while taking advantage of excellent facilities at both institutions.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is substantial. Image intensification detection devices incorporating MCPs are currently widely used in applications where single photon counting or low light level detection are required. The impact of a device with dramatically improved lifetime ranges from enabling cutting-edge particle physics experiments with exciting discovery potential in the areas of CP violation and Higgs properties, to homeland security applications, to commercial applications such as night vision devices. The testing of the new MCP-PMTs will be carried out by undergraduate students at UTA, which has been commended as being one of the nation's top universities for Hispanic students. The students will develop expertise in fast timing, lasers, and data analysis, as well as presentation skills. This proposal thus supports the mission of the NSF to promote discoveries and advance education, while meeting the goals of the SBIR program by stimulating technological innovation and transforming scientific discovery into both social and economic benefit. It is estimated that the potential market opportunity that would be available to this technology, across all of the described technology domains, is in excess of $8 million over the next 5 years.

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目提出了一种革命性的方法来延长微通道板（MCP）光电倍增管（pts）的寿命，使用原子层沉积（ALD）纳米膜来抑制破坏性正离子的产生。该提案的技术和智力优势值得注意：我们最先进的ALD能力将改变成熟的MCP技术，创造高通量检测的能力。以前在该领域改进MCP-PMT能力的尝试导致响应能力和分辨率降低。我们已经获得了初步的结果，并引起了图像增强器行业主要公司的注意，表明如果这项可行性研究成功，市场将会有强烈的兴趣。研究计划的重点是i)优化纳米膜的性能，ii)将优化的膜应用于从工业合作伙伴处获得的商用mcp， iii)将改进的mcp插入特殊的原型设备中，iv)与德克萨斯大学阿灵顿分校（UTA）合作，测试这种增强的设备并评估其性能。组建的团队与该提案非常匹配，将我们的ALD工艺和材料科学技能与UTA的探测器开发能力相结合，同时利用两个机构的优秀设施。这个项目的广泛影响/商业潜力是巨大的。包含mcp的图像增强检测设备目前广泛应用于需要单光子计数或弱光检测的应用中。该设备的使用寿命大大提高，其影响范围从在CP违反和希格斯性质领域具有令人兴奋的发现潜力的尖端粒子物理实验，到国土安全应用，再到夜视设备等商业应用。新mcp - pmt的测试将由UTA的本科生进行，UTA被誉为全美最受西班牙裔学生欢迎的大学之一。学生将在快速计时、激光、数据分析以及演讲技巧方面发展专业知识。因此，该提案支持了NSF促进发现和推进教育的使命，同时通过刺激技术创新和将科学发现转化为社会和经济效益来实现SBIR计划的目标。据估计，在所有上述技术领域中，这项技术的潜在市场机会在未来5年内将超过800万美元。