X-ray calibration and characterization at National Security Technologies, LLC Livermore Operations

X-ray calibration is a primary component of the calibration services provided by National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) Livermore Operations (LO). The X-ray calibration labs at NSTec LO consist of four labs which provide characteristic and bremsstrahlung X-ray output beams ranging in energy from 300 eV to 110 keV. These labs can calibrate a variety of X-ray detectors and components including CCD's, streak cameras, spectrometers, and filters. Many of the calibration measurements are NIST-traceable. Calibrations and characterizations provided include quantum efficiency, sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, flat-field test, and transmission measurements. Historically, these labs have performed calibrations for various institutions and national laboratories such as LLNL, LANL, and Sandia. In addition, NSTec (LO) has diagnostic R&D capabilities such as extending curved crystal X-ray imaging to higher energies. This presentation will describe the services provided by these labs, the operation and in-house, NVLAP certified calibration of the various X-ray sources and diagnostics used, and the general layout of the NSTec (LO) X-ray labs.