A joint project led by Focused Energy is  developing the world's first laser-driven neutron source for industrial use. The so-called LDRS process (Laser-Driven Radiation Sources) can non-destructively not  only see through thick steel or concrete walls, but also into them. The Fraunhofer  Institute for Laser Technology 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. 

The aim of the joint project called PLANET is to develop a laser neutron source  from the individual components developed by the project partners and thus  demonstrate that it can be used for the non-destructive examination of nuclear  waste containers. 

The LDRS technology developed by Focused Energy is the first non-destructive  technology that can be used to characterize large components such as bridges or  shipping containers as well as tightly closed containers from the outside. In the  past, the inspection method used relied on huge particle accelerators to generate  the necessary neutron beams. This was not practical for many applications.  LDRS thus not only offers a much more cost-effective and compact alternative,  but also a kind of non-destructive X-ray vision into the finest structures and  complex material compositions. 

The main innovation of the new test method is the neutron source driven by a  high-power laser. Instead of using conventional accelerator technology, ions are  accelerated by the laser and directed to a converter to generate neutrons via  particle reactions.  

The PLANET project comprises various sub-projects that build on each other and  involve different partners. The high-power laser, which is being built by TRUMPF,  Fraunhofer ILT and Focused Energy, fires up to 100 times per second at a self renewing target 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 requires several hundred meters. Focused  Energy is working 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 from it, as in conventional radiological  procedures. 

Focused Energy acts as a system integrator and uses its patented LDRS process  to draw conclusions about the composition and condition of the containers from  the data recorded in this way. With the laser-driven source, a locally usable  neutron source with high power can be realised for the first time. 

RWE is providing a building on the site of the former nuclear power plant in Biblis,  which will be converted by Focused Energy into a research laboratory and the  first pilot facility for the use of this technology. 

Photo: TRUMPF