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Embedding radioactive materials into low-temperature microcalorimeters Some preliminary ideas and results Michael W. Rabin Los Alamos National Laboratory D.A. Bennett 4, E. Birnbaum 1, E.M. Bond 1, R.C. Cantor 5, M.P. Croce 1, J.E. Engle 1, F. Fowler 4, R.D. Horansky 2, K.D. Irwin, K.E. Koehler 1,3, G.J. Kunde 1, W.A. Moody 1, F.M. Nortier 1, D. Schmidt 2, W.A. Taylor, J.N. Ullom 2, L.R. Vale 2, M. Zimmer, M.W. Rabin 1 1 Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA 2 National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA 3 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA 4 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA 5 Star Cryolectronics, Santa Fe, NM, USA Revised Feb 6, 2013
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Energy resolution for X- and -ray spectroscopy Factor of ten better than conventional semiconductor technology
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241 Pu/ (98.95) (99.85) (102.98) (101.06) (104.23) (103.73) Close look at spectrum for X/ NDA of Pu
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Quantitative analysis of isotopic composition Preliminary results from internal “round robin”— 3 sensors X 4 samples Microcalorimeter Conventional sensor Mcal 0.132 ± 0.006 TIMS 0.133 ± 0.003 Atom ratio comparison for spectrum shown
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External source Internal source External vs. internal for -decaying isotopes Decay products are the alpha particle and the daughter atom External source Internal source 7 Energy (keV) Branch Fraction Q 55931 5499 5456 0.71 0.29 43.5 99.85 1 x 10 -4 7 x 10 -5
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First high-resolution mixed actinide Q spec Shows 3X increase in separation between peak centers 238 Pu 241 Am 8
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Large microcalorimeter arrays for spectroscopy + Embedded radionuclides + Isotope production facility
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10 Some radioactive decays of interest , , electron capture
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11 Also work by Loidl (CEA) Some radioactive decays of interest , , electron capture
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12 The chemical form and physical microstructure of the combination of absorber and source affects energy thermalization. Key linking science issue Some radioactive decays of interest , , electron capture
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13 Some possible surrogate isotopes Use for prototyping methods for isotope encapsulation and sensor designs Isotopes that decay solely by electron capture to the nuclear ground state of a very long lived or stable product (child) isotope. High Q is OK for prototyping. Screening is incomplete and not yet detailed enough.
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14 Possible methods of deposition and encapsulation Assuming you start with liquid water-based solution of radioactive material Drying of water-based solution you get everything that does not evaporate coffee-ring effect mitigated by extremely very small volumes, ~10 picoliter Electrodeposition more selective codeposition of major species (e.g. Cu, Au, Bi) and ultra trace (Fe, Ho) used for Cu vias in zillions of integrated circuits Metalurgy unfavorable phase diagrams rapid freezing from melt common to quench nonequilibrium concentration bonding and diffusion techniques based interface metalurgy (eutectics) Surface chemistry controlled atmosphere, temperature, time, substrate chemical reduction of salts and oxides hard selective binding to surface with custom ligands
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Incorporation of aqueous source and encapsulation Techniques for analytical picoliter dispensing under development by LANL-HP collaboration Precise control of dispensed volume, droplet position, and final spot size Mitigates position-dependent response of sensors Allows us to control activity per sensor Control of physical form and chemical composition will affect energy thermalization physics in the sensors
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16 Examples from 55 Fe electrodeposition
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17 Recent sensors for ECS of 55 Fe
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18 Spectral results ECS of 55 Fe commercial 55 Fe Taylor-made 55 Fe larger absorber Taylor-made 55 Fe smaller absorber ~54 eV FWHM
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19 Improved spectral results ECS of 55 Fe 19 eV = 5.25 eV 1 = 8.9 eV 2.35 = 12.4 eV 2 = 47 eV = 0.37
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20 New sensors designs No membrane. Easier to make. More robust.
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Concluding remarks 21 This is the era for wide-ranging experimentation in for embedding radioactive isotopes into sensors. Long-range plans for calorimetric spectroscopy for neutrino mass call for E = 1-2 eV FWHM A = 1-100 Bq per pixel which have been not yet been shown for any EC-decaying isotope. By prototyping with 55 Fe, then 163 Ho we mean to try. Large high-resolution arrays + embedded radioisotopes + isotope production
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X Q e -
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ECEC Calorimetric electron capture energy spectroscopy combines many of these.
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24 END
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