03 Oct Industrial inspection: laser-driven neutron source replaces particle accelerator
The world’s first laser-driven neutron source for industrial use is being developed as part of the joint project ‘Planet’. Focused Energy, a German-American spin-off of TU Darmstadt founded in 2021, is leading the project and assuming the role of the system integrator, assembling the individual components developed by the project partners into a neutron source. RWE is providing a building on the site of the former nuclear power plant in Biblis, which will be converted into a research laboratory by Focused Energy and where the first pilot system will be used.
Inspections without a particle accelerator
The LDRS (Laser-Driven Radiation Sources) technology developed by Focused Energy is the first non-destructive method that can be used to inspect large components such as bridges or shipping containers as well as tightly sealed containers from the outside. In the past, inspection methods relied on huge particle accelerators to generate the necessary neutron beams. This was not practical for many applications. According to the company, LDRS not only offers a much more cost-effective and compact alternative, but also a kind of non-destructive X-ray view into the finest structures and complex material compositions.
Trumpf is developing a high-energy laser amplifier with high average power in the kilowatt range, which requires a comparatively small footprint with a length of around 8 meters. The output stage is located in a vacuum chamber. Image: Trumpf Group
High-power laser accelerates particles
For the new neutron source, instead of conventional accelerator technology, ions are accelerated by a laser and directed towards a converter in order to generate neutrons via particle reactions. The project comprises various sub-projects that build on each other and involve different partners. The high-performance laser, which is being built by Trumpf, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and Focused Energy, fires up to 100 times per second at a self-renewing target that is being developed by Focused Energy together with TU Darmstadt. The laser accelerates the particles over a distance of a few millimeters. In conventional particle accelerators, this takes several hundred meters. Focused Energy is working together with the HZDR to generate these particle beams in a stable and reproducible manner. The particles are then converted into directed neutrons and X-rays in order to illuminate the inside of components and containers. Photonis Germany is developing a large-area, highly sensitive detector for imaging. This detects the incoming neutron and X-ray radiation in order to generate high-resolution image information, as in conventional radiological procedures.
Project partners
Besides Focused Energy, the Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Photonis Germany, Trumpf and TU Darmstadt are involved in the joint research project. RWE is providing premises at the Biblis site for this purpose. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with 20 million euros.
Source and image: www.trumpf.com
