The Ion Beam Laboratory opened in 2010, enabling scientists to study and modify materials systems using ion and electron accelerators.
The IBL’s unique structure contains six accelerator systems capable of generating ions of every element in nature from one electron volt to 400 million electron volts, and at intensities ranging from just single ions to trillions of ions per second. One electron volt is enough to ionize a single atom or energize a single photon; 400 million electron volts will accelerate the heaviest ions to 7 percent the speed of light.
Among the uses of the building’s high-energy beams is to rapidly analyze materials. A low-energy ion implantation beam then modifies them. This artificial condition helps improve predictions of the corrosion of materials used in electronic components that permeate military and civilian life.
Other research areas are uniquely owned by Sandia Labs in the Department of Energy complex. They include microscopic diagnostics of radiation sensitivity of integrated circuits, simulating the effects of the enormous fluxes of neutrons associated with nuclear detonations, to provide data that will help protect U.S. electronics against such an occurrence. The beams also aid calibrations and certifications for the nuclear stockpile.
The 27,000-square-foot building, constructed and expected to be equipped at a cost of $39.6 million, was under budget and completed approximately six months ahead of schedule. Funds came from earlier savings on a much larger Sandia project called the MESA center. Costs include the new building, purchasing upgraded machines, relocating personnel and existing equipment and demolishing the old building.
The original sheet-metal-roofed, 15,000-square-foot building, erected in 1956 for $150,000 as a “temporary” structure, had a storied history, emblematic of the spartan style of the early, post-World War II Sandia Labs. It was originally used as a photo lab and to fold parachutes. Nevertheless, the original building, albeit “temporary,” was home for the Ion Beam Lab for over 40 years, clearly more than serving its purpose.
Sandia's Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) program is recognized as one of the best in the world. Here, scientists have the ability to examine a wide spectrum of materials, from semiconductors to metals and ceramics. Some of the accomplishments of the program include inventing several new ion beam analysis techniques for the quantitative analysis of light elements and heavy elements.
The IBL is available to perform the following analyses:
