High Power Neutron Source Drivers

120kV, 30kW Power Supply

Compact High Voltage Generator

Science Research Laboratory (SRL) has developed a compact, high voltage (120 kV), high current (250 mA), neutron source driver for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The SRL driver has been integrated with the LBNL sealed-tube epithermal neutron source. The neutron source and driver together have demonstrated stable, continuous operation at thermal neutron fluence of greater than 10⁹ neutrons/sec, and the system is  being used to support on-going science projects at LBNL. This type of compact, high power neutron source system is applicable to Thermal Neutron Activation Analysis (TNAA) for explosives and illicit drug detection, and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for cancer detection and treatment.

Soft X-Ray Sources for Next-Generation Lithography

SRL has developed two classes of soft X-ray source that produce at 1nm and 13nm radiation for Next Generation Lithography (NGL). These radiation sources are based on dense plasma focus technology. The 1 nm radiation source produces up to 800 Watts of X-ray power (into 4p steradians). It is based on an all-solid-state driver design that produced up to 300 kA peak current in the plasma pinch to generate the high temperature plasma necessary for X-ray production. The SRL X-ray source has been delivered and installed in BAE Systems Microelectronics Fabrication Facility in Nashua, NH, and is being used to develop new types of MMIC circuits and radiation-hardened memory circuits.

SRL has also developed lower power dense plasma sources for 13 nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation sources. This technology is based on a lithium discharge, and has been successfully demonstrated in the laboratory. The prototype EUV source shown below produces 10W of 13 nm radiation into 4p steradians. This technology is scalable  to the kilowatt power level.

13nm Pulsed X-Ray Driver

13nm Lithium Discharge

Intelligent Laser Diode Drivers

SRL has developed compact laser diode drivers that incorporates fault sensing intelligence to help improve laser diode lifetime when operating at high power. The SRL driver with fault protection has shown laser diode lifetime improvements of up to a factor of 10 at high optical power operation of 100W/laser bar-cm and above. The SRL driver has also demonstrated specific power densities of 7 kW/kg and 10 kW/liter, respectively at average power levels approaching 5 kW. SRL is pursuing driver designs that will deliver up to 20 kW/kg specific power for applications requiring compact size and weight.

Laser Diode Test Facility

SRL has developed a laser diode test laboratory for evaluating the performance and reliability of high power laser diode bars and arrays. The test facility is fully computer-instrumented and operates 24/7.  The test facility data logs a host of diode parameters that include: optical power, optical spectra, diode voltage and current, temperature, water flow. The facility also monitors and laser diode instabilities that can be correlated to laser diode failure events. SRL is testing and evaluating laser diode designs for both the US government and private industry.

Gas-Fed Plasma-Discharge Thrusters

  Plasma thruster body                        Plasma discharge

SRL has been involved in gas-fed plasma  thruster development. This type of plasma discharge technology can be used to maneuver vehicles in low gravity fields. Impulse force is achieved by forming a traveling plasma front that accelerates the gas-fuel mass. Both solids and water vapor are also useful as propellant fuel.  

Interferometers

IR Cameras