Coating Capillary Optics to Improve X-ray and Neutron Transmission

41316 November 22, 1996 X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc. Because of their recently demonstrated ability to provide significant improvements in beam intensity, capillary optics are finding use for controlling x rays and neutrons across a wide range of fields. However, their use for some energy ranges is limited due to absorption. For all applications, there is some loss of efficiency due to interactions of x rays or neutrons with the inner capillary walls. Since the optics function as a result of multiple reflections, the ability to optimize reflecting materials would lead to dramatic improvements in capillary optic collection and transmission efficiency. This project will combine two emerging technologies: multichannel capillary optics and low temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD ), to coat the inner glass capillary walls with thin films. Initially, nickel will be used for the coating material because it is the preferred material for neutrons and will provide improved x ray transmission efficiency for some commercially important x-ray energies. A two-fold increase in optic transmission, for both neutron and x-rays, is expected. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Improvements in capillary optic performance due to thin film coatings should increase sales of x-ray and neutron optics. Other applications include enhanced material analysis tools for x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and protein crystallography, and improve medical equipment for mammography and angiography. Industries which should benefit include semiconductors, aerospace, and pharmaceutical/biotechnology.