US3885153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-layer monochromator
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1974-06-20
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-06-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides an artificial monochromator crystal for efficiently selecting a narrow band of neutron wavelengths from a neutron beam having a Maxwellian wavelength distribution, by providing on a substrate a plurality of germanium layers, and alternate periodic layers of a different metal having tailored thicknesses, shapes, and volumetric and neutron scattering densities.
Inventors
- 👤 Benno P Schoenborn
- 👤 Donald L D Caspar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:44
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/06; G21K1/062; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; G21K2201/00; G21K2201/06; G21K2201/061; G21K2201/062; G21K2201/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A MONOCHROMATOR FOR EFFICIENTLY SELECTING A NARROW BAND OF NEUTRON WAVELENGTHS FROM AN INPUT BEAM HAVING A MAXWELLIAN WAVELENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF NEUTRONS COMPRISING: A. A FLAT SUBSTRATE; B. A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL, FLAT, UNIFORM, SELECTIVELY TAILORED THICKNESS, AMORPHOUS GERMANIUM LAYERS UNIFORMLY DEPOSITED OVER THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF SAID SUBSTRATE; AND C. A PLURALITY OF AMORPHOUS LAYERS THAT ALTERNATE PERIODICALLY WITTH SAID GENMANIUM LAYERS, ARE INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN TO FORM BILAYERS AND ARE PARALLEL THEREWITH SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF TANTULUM AND MANGENESE HAVING A SELECTIVELY TAILORED THICKNESS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A MONOCHROMATOR FOR EFFICIENTLY SELECTING A NARROW BAND OF NEUTRON WAVELENGTHS FROM AN INPUT BEAM HAVING A MAXWELLIAN WAVELENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF NEUTRONS COMPRISING: A. A FLAT SUBSTRATE; B. A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL, FLAT, UNIFORM, SELECTIVELY TAILORED THICKNESS, AMORPHOUS GERMANIUM LAYERS UNIFORMLY DEPOSITED OVER THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF SAID SUBSTRATE; AND C. A PLURALITY OF AMORPHOUS LAYERS THAT ALTERNATE PERIODICALLY WITTH SAID GENMANIUM LAYERS, ARE INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN TO FORM BILAYERS AND ARE PARALLEL THEREWITH SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF TANTULUM AND MANGENESE HAVING A SELECTIVELY TAILORED THICKNESS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monochromator of claim 1 in which the layers are germanium and manganese layers between 20 and 200 A thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The monochromator of claim 2 in which said layers are about 100 A thick for selecting neutrons having a wavelength of about 4 A at an input and output angle theta of about 1*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The monochromator of claim 3 in which there are 10 of the bi-layers which are at least 99 percent pure, on a boron-free quartz substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monochromator of claim 4 in which the layers have a sinusoidally varying volumetric scattering density.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The monochromator of claim 5 in which said substrate and layers form in cross-section a generally elliptically shaped dish having open and closed ends defined by a convex side for receiving and focusing at a focal point an input beam having wavelengths between 0.5 and 20 A and a divergence of 2*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The monochromator of claim 6 having first stationary support means on the exposed side of said layers, and biasing means on the opposite exposed side of said substrate for applying a double moment with unbalanced forces at the opposite ends of the monochromator for producing the generally ellipticall shaped dish from a flat rectanglar shaped substrate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
95 words
The method of making a monochrometer for efficiently selecting a narrow band of neutron wavelengths from an input beam having a Maxwellian wavelength distribution of neutrons, comprising the steps of: a. respectively filling first and second boats with different amorphous metals having different volumetric nuclear densities f and radiation scattering factors b, and having purities of at least 99.0 percent; b. heating the respective metals so as to produce evaporation thereof in the form of first and second vapors; and c. depositing said first and second vapors on an optical flat in alternate periodic layers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
95 words
The method of making a monochrometer for efficiently selecting a narrow band of neutron wavelengths from an input beam having a Maxwellian wavelength distribution of neutrons, comprising the steps of: a. respectively filling first and second boats with different amorphous metals having different volumetric nuclear densities f and radiation scattering factors b, and having purities of at least 99.0 percent; b. heating the respective metals so as to produce evaporation thereof in the form of first and second vapors; and c. depositing said first and second vapors on an optical flat in alternate periodic layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 in which said different amorphous metals consist of germanium and manganese for producing alternate periodic layers of germanium and manganese on said optical flat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 9 in which said boats are arranged side by side in an evacuated chamber below said optical flat with first and second respective shutters interposed between said respective first and second boats and said optical flat, and said shutters are sequentially alternately opened and closed oppositely for depositing said alternate periodic layers with sinusoidally varying volumetric neutron scattering densities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |