A laser-driven micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of nuclear battery technology, specifically disclosing a laser-driven micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device, comprising a laser-driven electron accelerator, a beam transmission system, a target system, and a thermoelectric conversion system. The laser-driven electron accelerator includes an electron gun, a laser, an optical lens group, and a micro-medium structure. The beam transmission system includes a beam transmission channel, a beam focusing element, and a beam deflection element. The target system includes a conversion target and a transmutation target. The thermoelectric conversion system includes a semiconductor, a cold source, and a load. The semiconductor has P-type and N-type terminals; the P-type terminal is connected to the transmutation target, and the N-type terminal is connected to the cold source. Neither the cold source nor the N-type terminal contacts the transmutation target. This laser-driven micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device is compact and portable. Furthermore, this device accelerates the laser beam and bombards the target system, causing the target system to directly generate the isotopes required for a nuclear battery, which can directly serve as a heat source in the nuclear battery to continuously provide power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear battery technology, specifically to a laser-driven micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the radioactive nuclides required for nuclear power batteries are mainly generated through reactors or accelerators. Accelerators produce the required radioactive isotopes by accelerating protons or electron beams to react directly with target elements. These radioactive nuclides are then extracted and used as a heat source to generate electricity. Traditional accelerators have low acceleration gradients, resulting in large device sizes that hinder portability and compact design. Furthermore, the generated isotopes require extraction and separation, a complex process. Therefore, improvements are necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a laser micro-nano medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device, which has the characteristics of compactness and portability, and can be directly used as a heat source in nuclear batteries to continuously provide power to nuclear batteries.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A laser-driven micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device includes a laser-driven electron accelerator, a beam transmission system, a target system, and a thermoelectric conversion system.

[0006] The laser-driven electron accelerator includes an electron gun, a laser, an optical lens group, and a micro-dielectric structure.

[0007] The beam transmission system includes a beam transmission channel, a beam focusing element, and a beam deflection element.

[0008] The target system includes a conversion target and a transmutation target.

[0009] The thermoelectric conversion system includes a semiconductor, a cold source, and a load.

[0010] The semiconductor has a P-type terminal and an N-type terminal.

[0011] The P-type terminal is connected to the transmutation target, and the N-type terminal is connected to the cold source. Neither the cold source nor the N-type terminal is in contact with the transmutation target, so that a temperature difference is formed between the P-type terminal and the N-type terminal, thereby forming a potential difference.

[0012] In at least one embodiment of the laser micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device provided in this disclosure, the optical lens group includes a plane mirror, a concave lens, a convex lens, and a beam splitter.

[0013] In at least one embodiment of the laser micro / nano dielectric accelerated nuclear transmutation device provided in this disclosure, the laser-driven electron accelerator further includes at least one mirror frame for supporting the plane mirror, concave lens, convex lens and beam splitter.

[0014] In at least one embodiment of the laser micro / nano dielectric accelerated nuclear transmutation device provided in this disclosure, the beam deflection element includes a diode magnet for generating a uniform magnetic field to deflect the electron beam during transmission.

[0015] In at least one embodiment of the laser micro / nano dielectric accelerated nuclear transmutation device provided in this disclosure, the beam focusing element includes a magnetic lens for generating a quadrupole magnetic field to focus the electron beam during transmission.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it can be applied to fields such as nuclear batteries, deep sea, and deep space. It features compactness and portability, and the device uses a laser-accelerated beam to bombard a target system, causing the target system to directly generate the isotopes required for nuclear batteries, which can then be directly used as a heat source to continuously power the nuclear battery. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a laser micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the micro-medium structure and beam transmission channel connection of a laser micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the conversion target and the transmutation target in a laser micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the P-type and N-type ends of a laser micro / nano-dielectric accelerated nuclear transmutation device according to the present invention.

[0022] In the picture:

[0023] 1. Electron gun; 2. Laser; 3. Optical lens group; 4. Micro-dielectric structure; 5. Beam transmission channel; 6. Beam focusing element; 7. Beam deflection element; 8. Target system; 9. Cold source; 10. Load; 11. P-type end; 12. N-type end; 81. Conversion target; 82. Transmutation target. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments, not all embodiments.

[0025] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a laser micro / nano-medium accelerated nuclear transmutation device, including a laser-driven electron accelerator, a beam transmission system, a target system, and a thermoelectric conversion system.

[0026] Furthermore, the laser-driven electron accelerator includes an electron gun 1, a laser 2, an optical lens group 3, and a micro-dielectric structure 4.

[0027] Specifically, the electron gun 1 can output a stable electron beam with a certain amount of energy after being powered on and connected to a high voltage.

[0028] Specifically, laser 2 can generate pulsed lasers with a specific wavelength and a specific period.

[0029] Specifically, the optical lens group 3 includes a plane mirror, a concave lens, a convex lens, and a beam splitter. The plane mirror, concave lens, convex lens, and beam splitter constitute the laser transmission path.

[0030] When a laser of a specific wavelength is incident on the surface of the micro-dielectric structure 4, the surface electromagnetic waves that can be used for electron acceleration are generated.

[0031] The optical lens group forms a delayed optical path, ensuring that the surface electromagnetic wave excited by the laser entering the micro-medium structure and the electron entering the micro-medium structure occur simultaneously, thus ensuring the synchronous acceleration of the electron beam.

[0032] Furthermore, the beam transmission system includes a beam transmission channel 5, a beam focusing element 6, and a beam deflection element 7;

[0033] Specifically, the beam transmission pipe is a metal pipe of a certain length, which has a high vacuum inside.

[0034] Specifically, the beam focusing system consists of a magnetic lens capable of generating a quadrupole magnetic field, and is used to focus an electron beam during transmission.

[0035] Specifically, the beam deflection system consists of a dipole magnet capable of generating a uniform magnetic field, and is used to deflect the electron beam during transmission.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the target system 8 includes a conversion target 81 and a transmutation target 82.

[0037] Specifically, the conversion target 81 contains nuclides capable of nuclear reactions with accelerated electrons to produce gamma rays and neutrons.

[0038] Specifically, the transmutation target 82 contains nuclides that can undergo nuclear reactions with neutrons to produce the target nuclides required for a nuclear battery.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the thermoelectric conversion system includes a semiconductor, a cold source 9, and a load 10.

[0040] Specifically, the semiconductor has a P-type terminal 11 and an N-type terminal 12; the P-type terminal 11 is connected to the transmutation target 82, and the N-type terminal 12 is connected to the cold source 9. Neither the cold source 9 nor the N-type terminal 12 is in contact with the transmutation target 82, so that a temperature difference is formed between the P-type terminal 11 and the N-type terminal 12, thereby forming a potential difference.

[0041] In some embodiments, the system further includes a frame (not shown) for supporting the plane mirror, concave lens, convex lens, and beam splitter.

[0042] In application: the electron gun generates an electron beam, which is transmitted and focused by the beam transmission channel and beam focusing element. Simultaneously, the laser generates pulsed laser light, which enters the micro-dielectric structure after passing through a delayed optical path composed of optical lens groups, exciting surface electromagnetic waves. The delayed optical path composed of optical lens groups ensures that the surface electromagnetic waves excited by the laser entering the micro-dielectric structure and the electrons entering the micro-dielectric structure occur simultaneously, thus ensuring the synchronous acceleration of the electron beam. After acceleration, the electron beam is deflected and undergoes a nuclear reaction with the target system.

[0043] After the electron beam enters the micro-medium structure, it is accelerated by the electric field on the surface of the micro-medium excited by the laser.

[0044] The accelerated electron beam undergoes a nuclear reaction with the conversion target in the target system to produce neutrons and gamma rays. The produced neutrons then enter the subsequent transmutation target and undergo a further nuclear reaction to produce the required radioactive isotopes.

[0045] The radioactive isotopes generated within the transmutation target are produced rapidly and can be directly used as a heat source for the thermoelectric conversion system. The transmutation target is in contact with the P-type end of the semiconductor, while the cold source is in contact with the N-type end of the semiconductor. Neither the cold source nor the N-type end of the semiconductor comes into contact with the transmutation target. Due to the temperature difference between the transmutation target and the cold source, a potential difference is generated across the semiconductor, thereby generating a current in a closed loop connected to the load, driving the load to operate.

[0046] This invention can serve as a continuous power source for micro unmanned underwater vehicles in the deep sea and small spacecraft in space. The micro / nano medium, after laser irradiation, generates a high acceleration gradient on its surface, accelerating an electron beam to tens of MeV levels within a millimeter-scale length. The accelerated electron beam then enters a conversion target composed of heavy metals such as tungsten, where bremsstrahlung generates high-energy gamma rays. These high-energy gamma rays then react with... 226 Ra's transmutation target occurs 226 Ra(γ, n) 225 Ra reaction, 225 Ra decays rapidly into 225 Ac, 225 Ac is an α-decay nuclide with a half-life of 9.9 days, therefore 225 Ac atoms decay rapidly to produce alpha particles, and because alpha particles have an extremely short range, 225 The decay heat of Ac will be rapidly deposited into the transmutation target as a heat source to power the thermoelectric conversion system.

[0047] This disclosure combines a laser electron accelerator with a nuclear transmutation target system. Utilizing the higher acceleration gradient of the laser electron accelerator compared to conventional electron accelerators, a more compact device structure is achieved, further improving the efficiency of isotope production. The generated isotopes do not require a separation step and can be directly used as a power source for nuclear batteries.

[0048] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, the scope of protection of this invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be conceived without inventive effort should be covered within the scope of protection of this invention. Unless expressly stated otherwise, no element, action or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or necessary.

Claims

1. A laser micro-nano dielectric acceleration nuclear transmutation device, characterized in that, include: Laser-driven electron accelerator, beam transport system, target system, and thermoelectric conversion system; The laser-driven electron accelerator includes an electron gun, a laser, an optical lens group, and a micro-dielectric structure. The beam transmission system includes a beam transmission channel, a beam focusing element, and a beam deflection element; The target system includes a conversion target and a transmutation target; The thermoelectric conversion system includes a semiconductor, a cold source, and a load; The semiconductor has a P-type terminal and an N-type terminal; The P-type terminal is connected to the transmutation target, and the N-type terminal is connected to the cold source. Neither the cold source nor the N-type terminal is in contact with the transmutation target, so that a temperature difference is formed between the P-type terminal and the N-type terminal, thereby forming a potential difference.

2. The laser micro / nano dielectric acceleration nuclear transmutation device of claim 1, wherein, The optical lens group includes a plane mirror, a concave lens, a convex lens, and a beam splitter.

3. The laser micro / nano dielectric acceleration nuclear transmutation device of claim 2, wherein, The laser-driven electron accelerator also includes at least one frame for supporting the plane mirror, concave lens, convex lens, and beam splitter. 4.The laser micro-nano dielectric transmutation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The beam deflection element includes a diode magnet to generate a uniform magnetic field so that the electron beam is deflected during transmission.

5. The laser micro / nano dielectric acceleration nuclear transmutation device of claim 1, wherein, The beam focusing element includes a magnetic lens for generating a quadrupole magnetic field to focus the electron beam during transmission.

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