The US Department of Energy has awarded Mesa Photonics two Phase II Small Business Innovation (SBIR) grants.

The first grant, “Complete characterization of ultrafast X-ray pulses,” will develop critical diagnostics for pulsed ultrafast X-ray systems being built worldwide.  These systems can be used for non-destructive testing, microanalysis, microscopy, and medical imaging and diagnostics.

The second grant, “Chemical remote sensor for proliferation,” will lead to development of a small, light-weight sensor that is designed to detect clandestine nuclear processing.  The sensor uses light to measure emissions generated during uranium refining.

The Department of Energy awarded 104 grants – including the two for Mesa Photonics — out of 209 proposals that were submitted in April.