Method of irradiating a target

Abstract

A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.

Description

FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to particle accelerators. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method of irradiating a target.BACKGROUND[0002]In many applications there is a need to focus or concentrate all of a particle beam's energy on target volumes. In other cases only a portion of the total beam energy is useful for effecting the change desired and the remainder is waste. The waste is heat, which can be difficult and expensive to deal with. Disposing of the waste heat can be so difficult or expensive that a particular application may be impractical or impossible.[0003]For example, 99Mo, which is the parent of 99mTc, an isotope widely used for medical diagnostic purposes, can be produced by the photonuclear transmutation of 100Mo. The process requires bremsstrahlung to interact with 100Mo. “bremsstrahlung” (meaning braking radiation) is the radiation which is emitted when electrons are decelerated or braked when they are fired at a target. A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for high power density beam concentration on the target without damaging the vacuum window or converter, enhancing the efficiency of bremsstrahlung production and reducing thermal stresses, enabling effective transmutation and isotope production while maintaining the integrity of the accelerator system components.

Problems solved by technology

The waste is heat, which can be difficult and expensive to deal with.

Disposing of the waste heat can be so difficult or expensive that a particular application may be impractical or impossible.

However, while producing a beam of sufficient intensity and energy is readily achievable, the means to deliver the necessary intensity of bremsstrahlung to a material intended for photonuclear transmutation has not heretofore been practicable.

First, in high power operation, only about half the beam power is converted to useable bremsstrahlung; the remainder is waste heat.

Due to the rate of power absorption in the vacuum barrier and the converter, this waste heat will destroy most practical materials of which the vacuum barrier and the converter can be made.

Images