NORTHVALE, NJ, March 5, 2015 – Inrad Optics announces its stilbene single crystal was selected winner of the 2015 Prism Award for Photonics Innovation in the category of Materials and Coatings. The award was presented at a ceremony held in San Francisco during the SPIE Photonics West Conference. The Prism Awards program is presented by SPIE & Photonics Media, and judged by a panel of photonics industry leaders.
Inrad Optics grows large stilbene crystals from solution for superior neutron detection in security, science, and industry. Stilbene is a scintillator, and emits light in the presence of nuclear radiation. The crystalline material holds the potential to enable next-generation radiation detection equipment for homeland security, nuclear nonproliferation, and neutron detection at nuclear facilities. The primary advantages of stilbene are its high sensitivity to neutrons and excellent discrimination between neutrons and gamma-ray radiation. The commercial availability of these crystals could enable next-generation detection systems to better protect the American public against illicit traffic of weapons of mass destruction.
Amy Eskilson, the CEO of Inrad Optics said, “It is such an honor to be recognized within the photonics community for our work scaling stilbene from commercially non-viable yields to crystal boules approaching 4” in diameter. We believe this material will play an important role in nuclear security and we are commercializing the material in quantity for use in radiation detection systems.”
This work has been supported by the US Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, under competitively awarded contract HSHQDC-14-C-00067. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.
About Inrad Optics
Inrad Optics is a manufacturer of exceptional quality crystalline materials and devices, fabricated high precision glass, and metal optical components. Originally founded as Interactive Radiation in 1973, Inrad Optics is a globally recognized brand of optical solutions. Vertically integrated, manufacturing expertise includes solution and high temperature crystal growth, extensive optical fabrication capabilities, including precision diamond turning and the handling of large substrates, optical coatings and extensive in-process metrology.