SBIR-STTR Award

Antimatter has the highest energy density of any potential fuel and, thus, is extremely attractive for advanced energy conversion applications such as micromunitions. Positrons will be essential to any such system and positron sources that are substantially more powerful than those currently available will be required. First Point Scientific, Inc.(FPSI), in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), Is currently developing a state-of-the-art positron source, the High Flux Positron Source (HFPS). The system will be based on the production of a high flux of the positron-emitting radioisotope nitrogen-13 produced by accelerating high-energy deuterons onto a carbon target. We propose to further enhance the capabilities of this system by the addition of an advanced rare gas moderator for producing high quality positron beams and by upgrading the accelerator energy to 5 MeV. The Phase I project will: (1) perform experiments to demonstrate the creation of a highly concentrated N-13 source; (2) develop a design for a rare gas positron moderator chamber; and (3) develop an implementation plan for the Phase II project. Successful completion of this project will provide a firm foundation to proceed with the development of the advanced power source required for critical defense applications.

Keywords:
Micromunitions, Positron, Accelerator, Nitrogen-13

Antimatter has the highest energy density of any potential fuel and, thus, is extremely attractive for advanced energy conversion applications such as micro platforms. Positrons will be essential to any such system and positron sources that are substantially more powerful than those currently available will be required. First Point Scientific, Inc.(FPSI), in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), is currently developing a state-of-the-art positron source, the High Flux Positron Source (HFPS). The system is based on the production of a high flux of the positron-emitting radioisotope nitrogen-13 produced by accelerating high-energy deuterons onto a carbon target. We propose to further enhance the capabilities of this system by the addition of a moderator for producing high quality positron beams, and by upgrading the deuteron accelerator to achieve extremely high positron beam flux levels. Specifically, the Phase II project will: (1) develop a high performance neon moderator for producing slow positrons; and (2) procure and install an accelerator upgrade that will boost the deuteron energy from 1.5 MeV to 5 MeV. Successful completion of this project will result in a state-of-the art high flux positron source that will provide the foundation for the development of the advanced power sources required for critical defense applications.

Keywords:
Micro Platforms, Positron, Accelerator, Nitrogen-13