SBIR-STTR Award

Carbon foils having thicknesses ranging from as few as a dozen atoms to substantial layers are important in the operation of nuclear particle accelerators. The foils, which must be strong enough to be self-supporting even in the thinnest examples, presently suffer from certain faults. The method of preparation sometimes leads to pinholes, to curling up into tight rolls, and to non-uniformity. Also, the production is slow and expensive, especially for thick pieces. We propose to investigate the causes of the difficulties and to develop improved production techniques so as to achieve better yields and quality. An important goal is to reduce the price of the foils; another is to raise the level of production so that the growing need for the foils can be satisfied.The potential applications as described by the company: Aside from their application to nuclear technology and research, our carbon foils have found a commercial market, where they serve as x-ray and optical absorbers, among other things. We expect this to become increasingly significant, particularly with the expansion of fiber-optics communications.

In this project, we will make improved carbon and carbonhydrogen foils, to develop a neutral-density filter for the near-infrared spectral region, to make a proton detector useful for high proton energies and beam currents, and to protect surfaces from both abrasion and corrosive action. For our carbon deposits used as optical attenuators in fiber-optics communications, we need improved methods of making and selecting satisfactory products to bring the price down. Carbon-hydrogen polymers made from an electric discharge in ethylene are particularly effective for targets and ion strippers in work with particle accelerators, but no commercial source is available currently; we will make such items. A neutral-density filter in the 0.8 - 1.6 micron range would be especially helpful in fiber-optics communications, and our work so far indicates that we can make such a device which would be based on our carbon research. We will use a form of the ethylene deposits for the development of a proton detector, for which the Air Force has indicated a serious need. Finally, we will develop a commercial service for the coating of surfaces with protective films of fluorocarbon substances.A nticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: Our carbon-based optical filters already enjoy large sales, but we hope to reduce the price, which better selectivity would permit. There is a substantial market for long-lived, carbon-hydrogen polymer foils in nuclear laboratories. A major corporation has asked us if we could provide a neutral-density filter for the infrared. The proton detector would have applications for many particle-accelerator laboratories. The protective coatings look to have a significant sale to chemists who work with corrosive substances.