Lasers enable real-time temperature mapping in devices

A new study led by Osaka University has used neutrons to quickly and accurately measure temperatures, potentially improving the performance of various electronic devices. The study was published in the journal Nature communication.

Life is filled with electronics, from batteries to LEDs, and there is an endless quest to improve their reliability and efficiency. But as components become more complex, it can be harder to get accurate temperature readings of individual components inside an object.

This is a problem because determining the temperature of a device is necessary to track its functionality or the materials it is made of.

While there are several methods for estimating the internal temperature of a device, none of them can provide a fast, accurate reading. This new technique is known as “neutron resonance absorption” (NRA), which examines how atomic nuclei absorb neutrons at specific energies to infer information about the material’s properties.

In this study, high-intensity laser beams were used to produce neutrons. After slowing them to an extremely low energy level, the neutrons were sent through the sample. Tantalum and silver test plates were used to test the technique, which returned details about the material and temperature at an extraordinary speed.

As the sample temperature changed predictably, the NRA time signal also changed, allowing the scientists to determine the samples’ temperature.

This technology enables instant and accurate temperature measurement. Because our method is non-destructive, it can be used to monitor devices such as batteries and semiconductor devices.

Zechen Lan, lead author of the study, Osaka University

This newly developed technique can obtain temperature data in a window of 100 nanoseconds, or one ten-millionth of a second, because the NRA measurement is performed with a single neutron pulse. Because of this almost instantaneous result, changes in the material can be measured almost immediately, allowing for in-depth analysis.

Using lasers to generate and accelerate ions and neutrons is nothing new, but the techniques we developed in this study are an exciting advance. We expect that high time resolution will allow for more detailed examination of electronics, help us understand normal operating conditions and pinpoint anomalies.

Akifumi Yogo, Senior Author, Osaka University

Another achievement of the research team is a measuring device that is ten times smaller than other comparable devices, which makes it easier for laboratories to prepare their own copies.

The ability to quickly and precisely measure the operating temperature of devices can further expand our knowledge of how they operate and the materials they are made of.

Magazine reference:

Yogo, A., and others. (2024) Single-laser-driven neutron resonance spectroscopy for temperature profiling. Nature communication. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49142-y