SBIR-STTR Award

High-energy particle accelerators at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory need improved materials for their advanced detection systems, which are used to study the structure of matter and energy. This project is focused on advancing the state of the art of laboratory calorimetry technology, which uses large arrays of scintillating tiles read out by wavelength-shifting fiber optics. If the major materials-based limitations in scope and performance of these tiles can be eliminated, then the problems of radiation resistance and response speed in the fiber optics themselves can be solved. The Phase I work will be centered on the synthesis and characterization of one or more new green-emitting waveshifting fluorescent materials for these tiles that have unique radiation hardness as well as high speed and high quantum efficiency. Also, a thorough study of long-wavelength scintillators and corresponding red-emitting fiber optics will be done using both conventional optical read-out elements and the promising new solid state sensors developed in the United States in recent years. The Phase II project will develop additional fluorescent systems meeting the stated performance benchmarks. Methods of economically manufacturing the most promising materials will also be a major focus item. Finally, demonstration systems for both accelerator physics and medical imaging applications will be fabricated in concert with leading groups in their respective disciplines.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
There is strong potential for commercial development in the fields of high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET), real-time space-independent dosimetry for cancer therapy, and health physics instrumentation.

There is a strong need for advanced plastic scintillators and wavelength shifting fluor materials for use in detectors in the next generation of particle physics research systems. These materials must be notably faster in response and more resistant to radiation damage than the best materials presently available. The development of these materials will require (1) new kinds of fluor molecule structures not heretofore synthesized and (2) advanced polymer systems utilizing optimized polymer formulas and polymerization methodologies. This project examines these technologies in order to develop a manufacturing capability for these materials that reduces the overall cost of production. Phase I synthesized new green and red fluor materials which exhibited positive indications concerning both waveshifting molecules and green emitting fast scintillators. In addition, investigations were conducted to incorporate the fluors in a polymer matrix while minimizing fluor and polymer degradation. In Phase II, a prototype new-generation polymerization system will be designed and constructed. In parallel, fluor development will continue, with a focus on highly radiation-resistant, ultra-fast-green emitters and waveshifters.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The development of efficient, fast, radiation-resistant, long-wavelength scintillation materials should have significant impact on the design and implementation of detectors for high energy physics experiments. These should similarly benefit detector systems for astrophysics research. Additionally, there should be commercial applications in medical imaging, medical dosimetry, nuclear safeguards systems and health physics instrumentation.