Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

Catherine E Reinhardt

Lars F Voss

Adam M Conway

Rebecca J Nikolic

Robert T Graff

Joshua D Kuntz

Tiziana C Bond

Qinghui Shao

Sara Elizabeth Harrison

Chin Li Cheung

Victor V Khitrov

Daniel Heineck

Payal Kamlesh Singh

The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a tapered optical fiber, where the optical fiber has a cladding encasing a core and has an initial outer diameter. The method involves applying opposing forces to spaced apart sections of the optical fiber. The spaced apart sections define a length portion representing a waist region. While applying the opposing forces, simultaneously applying heat to the waist region to gradually produce a taper of the optical fiber within the waist region. The taper has a first diameter at a midpoint of the waist region which is less than the initial outer diameter. An etch operation is then performed by chemically etching at least a subportion of the waist region of the optical fiber to reduce the subportion to a second diameter which is less than the first diameter.

Method for fast and efficient fiber tapering

Three-dimensional boron particle loaded thermal neutron detectors utilize neutron sensitive conversion materials in the form of nano-powders and micro-sized particles, as opposed to thin films, suspensions, paraffin, etc. More specifically, methods to infiltrate, intersperse and embed the neutron nano-powders to form two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional charge sensitive platforms are specified. The use of nano-powders enables conformal contact with the entire charge-collecting structure regardless of its shape or configuration.

Three-dimensional boron particle loaded thermal neutron detector

Methods for fabricating three-dimensional PIN structures having conformal electrodes are provided, as well as the structures themselves. The structures include a first layer and an array of pillars with cavity regions between the pillars. A first end of each pillar is in contact with the first layer. A segment is formed on the second end of each pillar. The cavity regions are filled with a fill material, which may be a functional material such as a neutron sensitive material. The fill material covers each segment. A portion of the fill material is etched back to produce an exposed portion of the segment. A first electrode is deposited onto the fill material and each exposed segment, thereby forming a conductive layer that provides a common contact to each the exposed segment. A second electrode is deposited onto the first layer.

Method to planarize three-dimensional structures to enable conformal electrodes

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Livermore, CA, United States of America

Catherine E Reinhardt