Compact Ion Accelerator with Eccentric Orbit and Dynamic Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle accelerators, such as synchrotrons and cyclotrons, face challenges in miniaturization and cost reduction due to the need for multiple devices and limited magnetic field differences, which hinder efficient beam energy adjustment and irradiation time optimization in particle therapy systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact accelerator design featuring a main magnet with a decreasing radial magnetic field and a high-frequency cavity that adjusts its electric field frequency according to the ion's energy, allowing for eccentric orbit acceleration and efficient energy modulation of various ion species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a synchrotron is used as the accelerator, then beam energy can be adjusted, but the system requires multiple devices (quadrupole diverging magnet, multipole magnet, high frequency application system, electrostatic deflector, bending magnet) which limits miniaturization and cost reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate devices (bending magnet, quadrupole diverging magnet, multipole magnet, high frequency application system, electrostatic deflector, and extraction bending magnet) into a single integrated accelerator device. This merging eliminates the need for numerous separate components while maintaining the capability to adjust beam energy and extract beams at different energies, thereby enabling miniaturization and cost reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can accelerate ions, adjust beam energy, and extract beams at different energy levels using the same core device. The high frequency application system can change the oscillation frequency to match different ion species and energy levels, making the single device universally applicable for various beam extraction scenarios without requiring separate specialized components.
2Volume of moving object
If the cyclotron is miniaturized by increasing the main magnetic field and reducing the bending radius, then the size decreases, but the difference between maximum and minimum magnetic field is limited by saturation magnetic flux density (about 2 T) which determines practical size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic frequency adjustment capability to the cyclotron. The high frequency application system can change the oscillation frequency of the high frequency electric field according to the ion species and energy. This dynamic adjustment allows the accelerator to adapt to different beam extraction requirements without changing the physical size or magnetic field strength, effectively overcoming the limitation imposed by saturation magnetic flux density.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing magnetic field strength to adjust beam energy and extraction parameters, the patent changes the frequency parameter of the high frequency electric field. By adjusting the oscillation frequency, the system can optimize beam acceleration and extraction for different ion species and energy levels while maintaining a compact size and constant magnetic field, thus bypassing the limitation of saturation magnetic flux density.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a degrader is used to change beam energy in the cyclotron, then energy adjustment is possible, but beam current decreases which makes it difficult to shorten irradiation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical degrader system with an electromagnetic frequency adjustment system. Instead of using physical degraders that reduce beam current, the high frequency application system adjusts the oscillation frequency to achieve beam energy change and extraction. This substitution eliminates the beam current loss associated with mechanical degraders, maintaining high beam current and enabling shorter irradiation times.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables miniaturization, reduces irradiation time, and allows for rapid nuclide switching, maintaining high beam current and dose rate without the need for mechanical degraders, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of particle therapy systems.
Implementation Method 1
a high frequency cavity that generates a high frequency electric field... the high frequency cavity accelerates the ion up to a predetermined energy by the high frequency electric field
Implementation Method 2
a main magnet that generates a magnetic field... the magnetic field generated by the main magnet is a magnetic field distribution that decreases outward in a radial direction of the orbit
Data Source
AI summary
An accelerator includes: a plurality of ion sources 221, 222, and 233 that generate a plurality of different types of ions; an electromagnet 11 that generates a magnetic field; and a high frequency cavity 21 that generates a high frequency electric field. The center of an orbit of the ion is eccentric with acceleration, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 11 is a magnetic field distribution that decreases outward in a radial direction of the orbit, the high frequency cavity 21 accelerates the ion up to a predetermined energy by the high frequency electric field adjusted to an orbital frequency in response to a nuclide of the incident ion, and a frequency of the high frequency electric field changes following an energy of the ion. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an accelerator and a particle therapy system capable shortening an irradiation time with a small size.