Q-FLEX INC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 38c

Description

Rare-event physics experiments, such as those searching for neutrinoless double beta decay, are so exquisitely sensitive that the radioactive backgrounds in the electronics systems and in particular, the cabling, can significantly reduce the sensitivity of experiments. Reducing the radioactive backgrounds in the cabling will help enhance the discovery potential of the next generation of experiments funded by the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics. The goal of the Phase I effort is to identify the dominant source(s) of radioactive contamination and evaluate the feasibility of significantly reducing them to produce radiopure cables that are at least 4x lower in radioactivity than current commercial options. We will measure the radioactivity at each step of the cable fabrication process, starting from the raw materials and ending with the finished cable. Based on the results, we will evaluate the feasibility of modifying the fabrication process (e.g., changing reagents used) or adding additional cleaning steps to reduce the contamination. Work will be done in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory who will provide ultra-sensitive radioactivity measurements and input into low background techniques. The development of ultra-low radioactivity cables would also benefit the semiconductor industry where radioactive impurities can cause soft errors and single-event upsets. The results of this research may also lead to techniques to minimize other metallic, non-radioactive, contamination that would benefit the medical field.