Compact Particle Accelerator Using Single Switch and Wafer Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle accelerators are bulky, inefficient, and require multiple switches, leading to high energy wastage and complexity, making them impractical for compact, portable, or implantable medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact particle accelerator design using a single switch and dielectric-metal-oxide wafer stacks, which form a pulsed accelerating cavity, allowing for efficient energy transfer and scalability from meters to millimeters, enabling a portable or implantable device for medical therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional particle accelerator designs with multiple switches and high-voltage stages are used, then particle acceleration capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and weight increases to tons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple switch functions into a single switch by using a transmission line that distributes the switching action across multiple Blumlein assemblies simultaneously. This single switch triggers all assemblies in parallel, eliminating the need for multiple independent switches and reducing overall device complexity and size
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator is divided into multiple modular Blumlein assemblies that can be stacked or arranged in series along the beam axis. Each assembly contributes to the overall acceleration gradient, allowing the device to be scaled to different sizes while maintaining compactness compared to conventional single-stage designs
2Power
If multiple switches are used in conventional accelerator designs, then particle acceleration is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases due to substantial energy waste through switch impedance
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple switch functions into a single switch that controls all Blumlein assemblies simultaneously, the patent eliminates the cumulative energy losses that would occur with multiple separate switches. The single switch architecture reduces total switch impedance and associated energy dissipation
3Power
If conventional accelerator designs with multiple switches and complex dielectric interfacing are used, then particle acceleration capability is achieved, but device complexity and switching complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the control architecture by merging multiple switch control functions into a single switch that simultaneously triggers all Blumlein assemblies. This eliminates complex timing coordination between multiple switches and reduces dielectric interfacing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The Blumlein assemblies are pre-configured with their dielectric and transmission line structures before operation. The single switch triggers all assemblies simultaneously, eliminating the need for complex real-time timing coordination and control logic that would be required with multiple independent switches
4Volume of moving object
If conventional accelerator designs are scaled down for compactness, then device size reduces, but reliability and efficiency problems increase due to switching complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The single switch architecture combined with modular Blumlein assemblies enables compact scaling while maintaining reliability. The simplified switching system has fewer failure points compared to multi-switch designs, and the modular structure allows for robust engineering of each individual assembly
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
The design achieves higher energy efficiency and compactness, allowing for human-portable or implantable particle accelerators suitable for medical applications, with reduced power requirements and simplified switching complexity.
Implementation Method 1
devices that use electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of wafer stacks comprising a dielectric and metal-oxide pair
Data Source
AI summary
A compact particle accelerator having an input portion configured to receive power to produce particles for acceleration, where the input portion includes a switch, is provided. In a general embodiment, a vacuum tube receives particles produced from the input portion at a first end, and a plurality of wafer stacks are positioned serially along the vacuum tube. Each of the plurality of wafer stacks include a dielectric and metal-oxide pair, wherein each of the plurality of wafer stacks further accelerate the particles in the vacuum tube. A beam shaper coupled to a second end of the vacuum tube shapes the particles accelerated by the plurality of wafer stacks into a beam and an output portion outputs the beam.