Our Work

RetrieverTech has proven expertise in project management and scientific R&D.  We successfully design and complete complex government contracts and specialized industrial imaging hardware and software projects.

Scientific Imaging

Retriever Technology provides state-of-the-art CCD, ICCD, and EMCCD cameras for demanding applications ranging from astronomical imaging to novel bio-applications. We’ve specialized in deeply cooled CCD cameras, large format, high resolution densitometers, and high resolution custom scientific cameras. Low noise and high dynamic range are key performance metrics of our cameras. We have created FI, BI, and 16 MPixel cameras, attached image intensifiers, lenses, and customer optical fixtures according to customer needs.

Step and Repeat Film Densitometer

Prior to our creating this unique densitometer, BWXT-Y12 had no means by which to scan their critical X-ray films at high resolution. We designed and built a step and repeat film densitometer that digitized X-ray film at 6 micron sample size with a true dynamic range approaching 15 bit.

A list of its unique and detailed performance specifications can be found here.

TEC Cooled CCD Cameras

We created a standard camera design for water cooled, -35 C operating temperature CCD cameras. This design accommodated both front and back illuminated cameras in a low cost, low noise package that allowed for a variety of open nose and lens capable front ends. As with many of our highest performing cameras, the controllers were provided by AstroCam, a San Diego based company specializing in cutting edge astronomical imaging.

See User Manual.

Fast-Frame FI and BI Cameras

Retriever attached fiber optic tapers to both FI and BI cameras.  In a design such as this, an image intensifier was then easily added, allowing for a fast frame rate, extremely sensitive device that achieved single photon detection at room temperature operations.

Hi-Res Fast-Frame Suborbital Camera

Many custom cameras were designed that matched both imaging performance and form factor requirements.This camera was used as a high resolution, fast frame rate guidance imager and launched in a sub-orbital rocket as part of an exo-planet discovery mission.

Nitrogen-Cooled Cameras

We delivered liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooled cameras that allowed for long exposures with nearly non-existent dark noise. This LN2 cooled, back illuminated CCD camera was used for sample preparation and characterization prior to testing in Sandia National Laboratory’s Z-pinch machine.

IR Blood Sugar Analyzer

Another custom design incorporated a fiber optic faceplate coupled to a back illuminated CCD, all wrapped into an extremely compact wrist wearable device. This was the first prototype device delivered to a biotech startup that needed extreme sensitivity for a novel, IR illuminated blood sugar analyzer.

Large-Format Vacuum Camera

This custom camera was designed to be used in a pulsed power source location at a national lab. The large format, 4k x 4k Fairchild CCD was coupled to a 3:1 fiber optic taper, and utilized a water cooled peltier block to achieve -30 C operating temperatures in a vacuum environment.

Film Densitometer

Film densitometers were designed and delivered to various National Laboratories. These types of unique scanners were necessary for digitizing historic film archives, or to scan films that captured events in environments hostile to CCD electronics, necessitating the use of film. This large format film scanner (one of our first designs) was used to digitize hydrodynamic xray films at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The films were large format and imaged events in high flux X-ray environments where CCD cameras could not be utilized.

Compact Intensified Camera

Building on our experience in FO attachment, we provided this compact intensified camera to a startup streak camera manufacturer who required fast frame rates and low noise.
Retriever Technology provides state-of-the-art CCD, ICCD, and EMCCD cameras for demanding applications ranging from astronomical imaging to novel bio-applications. We’ve specialized in deeply cooled CCD cameras, large format, high resolution densitometers, and high resolution custom scientific cameras. Low noise and high dynamic range are key performance metrics of our cameras. We have created FI, BI, and 16 MPixel cameras, attached image intensifiers, lenses, and customer optical fixtures according to customer needs.
TEC cooled CCD cameras TEWST
We created a standard camera design for water cooled, -35C operating temperature CCD cameras. This design accommodated both front and back illuminated cameras in a low cost, low noise package that allowed for a variety of open nose and lens capable front ends. As with many of our highest performing cameras, the controllers were provided by AstroCam, a San Diego based company specializing in cutting edge astronomical imaging.

See User Manual.

TEC cooled CCD cameras
We created a standard camera design for water cooled, -35C operating temperature CCD cameras. This design accommodated both front and back illuminated cameras in a low cost, low noise package that allowed for a variety of open nose and lens capable front ends. As with many of our highest performing cameras, the controllers were provided by AstroCam, a San Diego based company specializing in cutting edge astronomical imaging. See User Manual.
Fast-Frame FI and BI Cameras
Retriever attached fiber optic tapers to both FI and BI cameras.  In a design such as this, an image intensifier was then easily added, allowing for a fast frame rate, extremely sensitive device that achieved single photon detection at room temperature operations. 
Hi-Res Fast-Frame Suborbital Camera
Many custom cameras were designed that matched both imaging performance and form factor requirements.This camera was used as a high resolution,fast frame rate guidance imager and launched in a sub-orbital rocket as part of an exo-planet discovery mission.
Nitrogen-Cooled Cameras
We delivered liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooled cameras that allowed for long exposures with nearly non-existent dark noise. This LN2 cooled, back illuminated CCD camera was used for sample preparation and characterization prior to testing in Sandia National Laboratory’s Z-pinch machine.
IR Blood Sugar Analyzer
Another custom design incorporated a fiber optic face plate coupled to a back illuminated CCD, all wrapped into a wrist wearable device. Our customer needed extreme sensitivity for a novel blood sugar analyzer that utilized IR illumination.
Compact Intensified Camera
Building on our experience in FO attachment, we provided this compact intensified camera to a startup streak camera manufacturer who required fast frame rates and low noise.
Large-Format Vacuum Camera
This custom camera was designed to be used in a pulsed power source location at a national lab. The large format, 4k x 4k Fairchild CCD was coupled to a 3:1 fiber optic taper, and utilized a water cooled peltier block to achieve -30 C operating temperatures in a vacuum environment.
Film Denstoimeter
Film densitometers were designed and delivered to various National Laboratories. These types of unique scanners were necessary for digitizing historic film archives, or to scan films that captured events in environments hostile to CCD electronics, necessitating the use of film. This large format film scanner was used to digitize hydrodynamic xray films at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The films were large format and imaged events in high flux X-ray environments where CCD cameras could not be utilized.
Step and Repeat Film Densitometer
Prior to our creating this unique densitometer, BWXT-Y12 had no means by which to scan their critical X-ray films at high resolution. We designed and built a step and repeat film densitometer that digitized X-ray film at 6 micron sample size with a true dynamic range approaching 15 bit.
An example of our interactive proposal process can be found here.

Project Management

RetrieverTech has managed multiple projects, some involving the hiring and management of dozens of workers. Common to all projects was the need to map the technical requirements, source all hardware and software, develop operational processes, hire staff, and deliver the end product on time and on budget. We learned to leverage the skills of some of the brightest minds in the field to create unique and high performance solutions.
RetrieverTech has managed multiple projects, some involving the hiring and management of dozens of workers. Common to all projects was the need to map the technical requirements, source all hardware and software, develop operational processes, hire staff, and deliver the end product on time and on budget. We learned to leverage the skills of some of the brightest minds in the field to create unique and high performance solutions.
DOE SBIR Seismogram Digitization
SKATE (Seismogram Kit for Automatic Trace Extraction)  is a web-based software tool for the digitization of seismic traces in historic analog seismograms.  This work was performed under DOE contract DE-SC0008219.

SKATE is designed to address the need to digitize the millions of historic seismograms that are currently unavailable for analysis.   While other digitizing programs exist, they are typically limited by the need for significant user interaction, slow speed, and/or proprietary software requirements. The software package and complete documentation is available for immediate use and all code for SKATE is open source and publicly available.

FCC DTV Transition
While somewhat out of our core business direction, Retriever Technology capitalized on an FCC RFP to assist with the 2009 transition from analog to digital over the air TV transmission. We operated two mobile centers and four walk-in centers to assist consumers with the DTV transition that occurred in 2009. Over 3,000 consumers were directly assisted by our staff. Hands on demonstrations were performed, brochure disseminated, and signal intensity and  reception software demonstrated.

Material Science

Dr. Bartlett has authored and co-authored over 25 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals. His work includes fracture mechanics of composite materials and interfaces, high temperature deformation and fracture of novel ceramic composite structures, stress analysis using FEM modeling, materials characterization using TEM, SEM and X-ray techniques, and, more recently, software development and online deployment of unique imaging tools.

Dr. Bartlett has authored and co-authored over 20 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals. His work includes fracture mechanics of composite materials and interfaces, high temperature deformation and fracture of novel ceramic composite structures, stress analysis using FEM modeling, materials characterization using TEM, SEM and X-ray techniques, and, more recently, software development and online deployment of unique imaging tools.
Research Publications

Bartlett, Andrew H., et al. “SKATE: A web based seismogram digitization tool.” Seismological Research Letters 89.5 (2018): 1886-1893.

Bartlett, Andrew. A MultiDiscipline Approach to Digitizing Historic Seismograms. No. DOE-RT-08219. Retriever Technology, Sante Fe, NM (United States), 2016.

Church, Eric D., Andrew H. Bartlett, and M. Alex Jourabchi. “Raster to vector image analysis for fast digitization of historic seismograms.” Seismological Research Letters 84.3 (2013): 489-494.

Castro, R. G., et al. The development of beryllium plasma spray technology for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). No. LA-UR-99-58; CONF-990109-. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States), 1999.

Castro, R. G., et al. Molybdenum disilicide composites produced by plasma spraying. No. LA-UR-97-3721; CONF-980533-. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States), 1998.

Bartlett, Andrew H., Homi Fatemi, and Marc H. Eberle. “Charged Particle Technology for Ultra High Density Data Storage.” NASA 19980201996 (1998).

Castro, R. G., et al. Molybdenum disilicide composites produced by plasma spraying. No. LA-UR-97-3721; CONF-980533-. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States), 1998.

Bartlett, A. H., and R. G. Castro. “Elevated temperature mechanical properties of MoSi2/Si3N4, MoSi2/SiC composites produced by self-propagating high temperature synthesis.” Journal of materials science 33.6 (1998): 1653-1660.

Kung, H., et al. “Structural characterization of combustion synthesized MoSi 2–Si 3 N 4 composite powders and plasma sprayed MoSi 2–Si 3 N 4 composites.” Journal of materials research 13.6 (1998): 1522-1529.

Vaidya, R. U., et al. “Joining of MoSi2 to itself and reactions with aluminium interlayers.” Journal of materials science letters 17.9 (1998): 777-780.

Castro, R. G., et al. “15th International Thermal Spray Conference.” Nice, France May (1998): 25-29.

Castro, R. G., et al. “The effect of substrate temperature on the thermal diffusivity and bonding characteristics of plasma sprayed beryllium.” Fusion engineering and design 37.2 (1997): 243-252.

Bartlett, Andrew H., et al. “Plasma Sprayed MoSi 2/Al 2 O 3 Laminate Composite Tubes as Lances in Pyrometallurgical Operations.” Industrial heating 63.1 (1996): 33-36.

Vaidya, Rajendra U., et al. “INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE JOINING OF MoSi 2 TO 316 L STAINLESS STEEL.” Ceram. Trans. Vol. 77 (1996): 63-74.

Vaidya, R. U., et al. “Ceram. stresses developed upon cooling in joints in the uncon.” Trans 77 (1996): 63-71.

Castro, R. G., et al. “The structure and thermal properties of plasma-sprayed beryllium for ITER.” 9th Nat. Thermal Spray Conf.. 1996.

Bartlett, A. H., and R. G. Castro. “Residual stress in net-shape plasma sprayed tubes: measurement, modeling and modification.” Thermal Spray: Practical Solutions for Engineering Problems (1996): 841-845.

Bartlett, A. H., and R. G. Castro. “Characterization of Diffusion Barrier Interlayers Between Copper and Plasma Sprayed Beryllium.” MRS Online Proceedings Library Archive 458 (1996).

Hollis, K. J., et al. Investigation of the silicon loss in APS MoSi {sub 2} under the range of typical spray conditions. No. LA-UR-96-1805; CONF-961009-4. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States), 1996.

Kung, H., et al. “The structure of plasma sprayed MoSi [sub 2]-Al [sub 2] O [sub 3] microlaminate tubes.” Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia;(United States) 32.2 (1995).

Bartlett, Andrew H., and Roberto Dal Maschio. “Failure Mechanisms of a Zirconia 8 wt% Yttria Thermal Barrier Coating.” Journal of the American Ceramic Society 78.4 (1995): 1018-1024.

Bartlett, Andrew H., and R. D. Maschio. “MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT DURING HEAT TREATMENT OF A PLASMA SPRAYED THERMAL BARRIER COATING: ZrO 2-8 WT% Y 2 O 3.” Ceram. Trans. 38 (1993): 577-587.

Bartlett, A., and Anthony G. Evans. “The effect of reaction products on the fracture resistance of a metal/ceramic interface.” Acta metallurgica et materialia 41.2 (1993): 497-504.

Evans, Anthony G., and B. J. Dalgleish. “The fracture resistance of metal-ceramic interfaces.” Materials Science and Engineering: A 162.1-2 (1993): 1-13.

He, Ming?Yuan, et al. “Kinking of a crack out of an interface: role of in plane stress.” Journal of the American Ceramic Society 74.4 (1991): 767-771.

Bartlett, A., A. G. Evans, and M. Rühle. “Residual stress cracking of metal/ceramic bonds.” Acta metallurgica et materialia 39.7 (1991): 1579-1585.

Research Gate