Development of a Broad Spectrum X-Ray Attenuator

Completed TRL 6 (started at 2, targeting 6)

Description

In this project, we seek to develop a broad-spectrum x-ray attenuator that can be used with pixellated x-ray detectors. The goal is to develop a techique for reducing the overall x-ray uniformly across the spectral range from 3 to 60 keV.

Benefits

The broadband attenuator will be particularly useful for solar x-ray observations where fluxes can vary by several orders of magnitude depending on solar activity. Use of an attenuator would allow a mission to limit its flux so as not to overwhelm a detector while still enabling the mission to get broad measurements of the entire spectrum.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Detectors and Focal Planes
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2018-10-01
End date	2020-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Deborah A Amato — deborah.a.amato@nasa.gov
Nikolaos Paschalidis — nikolaos.paschalidis@nasa.gov
Terence A Doiron — terence.a.doiron@nasa.gov
Eliad Peretz — eliad.peretz@nasa.gov
Kyle J Gregory — kyle.j.gregory@nasa.gov
Steven D Christe — steven.d.christe@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.