NSF-MRI 2013

Title

MRI: The Development of an Instrument for Isotope Production and Photon Activation Analysis (MRI Track 2)

Proj Summary

Each proposal must contain a summary of the proposed project not more than one page in length. The Project Summary consists of an overview, a statement on the intellectual merit of the proposed activity, and a statement on the broader impacts of the proposed activity.

\centerlineTemplate:\bf Project Summary: The Development of an Instrument for Isotope Production and Photon Activation Analysis (MRI Track 2)

%\centerline{{\bf PIs}: Tony Forest, Alan Hunt, Phil Cole, Valeriia Starovoitova

Project Description

\section{Introduction}

In June of 2012, the Idaho Accelerator Center received a grant from the state of Idaho as part of the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) program. One of the proposed objectives was to research the use of an electron accelerator to produce copper isotopes for use in medical diagnostic procedures. Preliminary results of the work sponsored by this research have indicated that the production of copper isotopes strongly depends on the alignment of incident radiation to the sample. While a sample size of 2 cm is predicted to produce the highest number of isotopes per volume, a misalignment of more than a centimeter may reduce the amount of isotopes produced by a factor of at least two. A strong need now exists for a system to monitor the spatial distribution of the photons used to irradiate the samples. There is also a need to transport samples into and out of the radiation area. Based on these results, we propose to develop an instrument, that qualifies for the MRI category ``Track 2, that will be used to produce isotopes and perform Photon Activation Analysis (PAA) services.

\section{Information about the Proposal (a)} We propose to acquire and install the equipment for a photon beam monitoring system and a conveyor system to transport irradiation samples into and out of the radiation cell. This equipments, when combined with our existing facility, will increase our isotope production effiicency by at least two fold and reduce the systematic errors involved in PAA by ??????????? Matching support from the IGEM project will be used to design and install a conveyor system while the MRI will purchase the system components. The conveyor, commonly referred to as a rabbit, will transport samples into the irradiation region and then to a shielded container (lead pig) after irradiation. The transportation system is a necessity due to the high activity isotopes that may be produced. When used as an instrument for PAA, the transportation system will eliminate the step of shutting the accelerator off in order to change to the control sample thereby risking a change in the experimental conditions whose uniformity is essential for meaningful measurements. Once calibrated, the photon monitoring system would allow users to irradiate sample with a known amount of radiation. \\

\subsubsection{Instrument Location and Type (a.1)}

Physical location: Idaho Accelerator Center, Pocatello, ID

Instrument type: MRI-61

\subsubsection{Justification for Submission as a Development (Track 2) Proposal (a.2)} (1 page)

The proposed instrument will be developed by combining several instruments from different vendors as well as the "in house" construction of a remote transport system for sample placement. What may appear at first glance as an upgrade to an existing instrument is actually more of an evolution of the instrument into a stable shared-use instrument. Preliminary results indicate that the "off-the-shelf" instrument (a modified medical linac) requires further development in order to transform the device into an instrument that is more efficient, stable, and effective at providing the service of isotope production and photon activation analysis. A key ingredient to the instrument will be an in-house designed and constructed transport system that will remotely position samples at an optimum location for irradiation. The Idaho Accelerator Center's on staff engineers and its machine shop will be used to manufacture the infrastructure used to mount stepper motors and control systems for the transport system. The second key component is a beam control and feedback system that will allow operators to deliver a constant flux of photons to the specified sample location. The development of this instrument will require the design and fabrication talents of engineers as well as the quality control and measurement expertise of scientists.

\section{Research Activities to be Enabled (b)} ( 9 pages) The propose instrument will provide a means to more effectively produce isotopes and perform Photon Activation Analysis. The Idaho Accelerator Center has a history of irradiating materials for outside users across disciplines from Biology to Archaeology. The production of isotopes, currently being pursued to provide medical sources, may also find consumers in industry. PAA has been demonstrated as a useful tool in several IAC research projects already. We believe a facility providing this service will find customers in fields ranging from Archaeology to mining and even coffee producers.

\section{Description of Research Instrumentation and Needs (c)} (6 pages)

The proposed instrument will be composed of hardware used to position and monitor the incident radiation and a device to transport samples in and out of the radiation environment. Beam position monitors will be purchased to monitor the incident electron beam from the IAC accelerator on the radiator target. The position of the electrons on the radiator target effects the quality of the photons produced to irradiate samples. A set of photon detectors (CVD diamond films) will be purchased and placed strategically around the beam line in order to tune the accelerator such that the photon flux is centered on the target. A data acquisition system will be purchased to monitor this radiation flux. A conveyor system will be designed and installe to transport samples into and out of the radiation area.

\section{Impact on Research and Training Infrastructure (d)} ( 2 pages)

The proposed instrument will be a facility for performing isotope production research and training accelerator physicists. The research on copper isotopes is well underway and quickly approaching a point where production for consumption is likely. The production of other isotopes for industry and research will also be under investigation using this device. The goal will be for the instrument to be self sustaining and a means of training students.

The instrument will be an opportunity to train students in the operation of an electron accelerator as well as the techniques for isotope production and PAA. Graduate students, once trained, would operate the accelerator as a means of supporting their studies at ISU.

\section{Management Plan (e)} ( 2 pages)

The IAC has a well established record of managing a facility that attracts researchers who purchase beam time. This proposal seeks to expand the services that the IAC can provide. The components used to develop this instrument may be considered ``off the shelf. The accelerator expertise of the IAC and the detector development expertise of the PI will be relied upon to construct a working instrument. The track records of both entities are quite sound for this project. The long term operations and maintenance plan will rely on the instruments ability to attract customers. The growth of demand for medical isotopes and the continued warning of an isotop production crisis by the Department of Energy is a strong indication that the instrument will be in demand should its ability to produce isotopes become well established.

References

\begin{thebibliography}{99} %--- Tony's ---- \bibitem{Zhang04}X.~Zheng {\it et al.}, Phys.~Rev.~Lett.~92 (2004) 012004.

\end{thebibliography}

Budget

\section{Budget}

\begin{table}[h] \begin{center} \begin{tabular}{ccc} \multicolumn{1}{c}{Cost} & \multicolumn{1}{c}{Match} & \multicolumn{1}{c}{Description} \\ \hline\hline

50,000 & N & 4 electron Beam Position Monitors\\ 20,000 & N & CVD diamond detectors \\ 28,000 & N & Data Acquisition System \\ 50,000 & N & Conveyor system for isotope samples \\ 22,000 & Y & end station \\ 50,000 & Y & Professional \& Technical Services \\ \hline \end{tabular} \caption{Budget: Total expenses = \$220,000, Available Match \$72,000 (33 \%)} \end{center} \label{table:Projects} \end{table}