Technology Commercialization and Partnerships | BSA 10-14: Two-Axis Sagittal-Focusing Monochromator

Category: electronics & instrumentation

BSA 10-14: Two-Axis Sagittal-Focusing Monochromator

BNL Reference Number: BSA 10-14

Patent Status: Non-Provisional filed on September 8, 2011

Summary

An x-ray produced at a light source spreads out as it travels from the light source. This is a problem for scientists, who want the highest possible x-ray flux on a small spot. The invention describes a device that provides focusing of divergent high-energy x-rays while maintaining good energy resolution, and more particularly a device and method for bending a monochromator crystal with respect to two orthogonal axes to provide both horizontal and vertical focusing of an x-ray beam. The focusing of the x-rays in both the sagittal and meridional directions provides added brightness and photon flux.

Description

This technology relates to a device that can focus divergent high-energy x-rays while also maintaining energy resolution. This x-ray focusing device can adjustably focus x-rays in two orthogonal directions simultaneously. As a result, both horizontal and vertical focusing of the x-ray beam can be achieved. By focusing in both the sagittal and meridional directions, the bending of the crystal can generate additional brightness and photon flux from the same radiation source.

Benefits

The development of two-axis bending inexpensively adds significant additional photon flux and brightness from the same radiation source. This invention involves both the method of controlling a monochromator crystal to develop an optimized shape in three dimensions, as well as the implementation of how to do so accurately and cost effectively. In addition, this x-ray focusing device is particularly beneficial since various focal lengths found in different applications can be fine-tuned as needed.