Superconductor Cyclotron Regenerator Field Bump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclotron beam extraction systems face challenges in varying the magnitude of the magnetic field bump independently of the main magnetic field, leading to sub-optimal perturbations for particle beam extraction at different energies, especially with iron-based regenerators and superconducting coils that require complex cooling and vacuum structures.
Innovation Solution
A cyclotron design incorporating superconducting main coils and field shaping units with superconducting bump modules that include both low-temperature and high-temperature superconducting materials, allowing for independent control of the magnetic field bump magnitude and steepening of gradients to achieve optimal perturbations for beam extraction, using cryocoolers to maintain the superconducting elements at specific temperatures and positioning the shaping units closer to the median plane to narrow the field bump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If iron-based regenerators are used to generate magnetic field bump, then the cyclotron can extract particles, but the magnitude of the magnetic field bump cannot be varied easily during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from iron-based regenerators to superconducting coils that generate the magnetic field bump. This allows the bump magnitude to be varied independently and continuously during operation by adjusting the current in the superconducting coils, while the main magnetic field remains controlled by separate main coils. The superconducting material enables this parameter variation without the mechanical or thermal constraints that limited iron-based systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If superconducting coils are used to generate magnetic field bump, then the bump magnitude can be varied independently, but the gradients become less steep and the bump broader
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the magnetic field generation system into separate functional components: main coils for generating the primary magnetic field and superconducting bump coils for generating the localized field perturbation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's characteristics, enabling the bump coils to create steep gradients through precise geometric design while the main coils maintain the overall field structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using superconducting materials specifically for the bump coils where localized field control is needed, while other parts of the cyclotron can use different materials optimized for their specific functions. The superconducting bump coils create a highly localized field bump with steep gradients in the region of interest, while maintaining independence from the main field generation system.
3Manufacturing precision
If superconducting bump coils are placed closer to the median plane, then the field bump becomes narrower with steeper gradients, but the coils require complex cooling and vacuum structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the vacuum chamber and cryogenic cooling system into an integrated structure that houses the superconducting bump coils. The vacuum chamber serves dual purposes: maintaining the vacuum environment needed for particle acceleration and providing the sealed enclosure required for cryogenic operation. The cooling system is integrated into the coil assembly, eliminating the need for separate external cooling infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
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 solution enables the linear variation of the magnetic field bump magnitude, generating steeper gradients and narrower field bumps comparable to iron shims, effectively steering the particle beam out of the cyclotron with improved efficiency and control, maintaining the beam's target energy across different extraction cycles.
Implementation Method 1
two solenoid main coils wound around these field shaping units, which can be magnet poles or superconducting coils separated from one another by the acceleration gap. The main coils are enclosed within a flux return, which restricts the magnetic field within the cyclotron.
Implementation Method 2
the superconducting coils must be cooled below their critical temperature. Cryocoolers can be used to cool the superconducting components of a cyclotron below their critical temperature which can be of the order of between 2 and 10 K, typically around 4 K for low temperature superconductors (LTS)
Implementation Method 3
A magnetic field bump of magnitude ΔBz, can be created over an azimuthal interval, φb, inducing a radial oscillation responsible for a shift, Δy, of the centre of the orbit. A first field bump module and second field bump module arranged on either side of the median plane, P, and extending circumferentially over a common azimuthal angle, φb, for creating, when activated, a local magnetic field bump
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 1(c)~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention concerns a cyclotron for accelerating charged particles, in particular hadrons, comprising: • At least a first and second superconducting main coils (11, 12) arranged parallel to one another on either side of a median plane, P, defining a symmetry plane of the cyclotron, said at least first and second superconducting main coils generating a main magnetic field, Bz, in an acceleration gap (6) between a first and second field shaping units (41, 42), • At least a first and second field bump modules (51, 52) arranged on either side of the median plane, P, and extending circumferentially over a common azimuthal angle, cpb, for creating a local magnetic field bump in the main magnetic field, Bz, wherein each of the field bump modules comprises; ∘ At least one superconducting bump coil (51b, 52b) locally generating a broad magnetic field bump having a bell-shape defined by a first gradient, (dBz / dr)i, of the z-component, Bz, in a radial direction, r, Characterised in that, each of the field bump modules further comprises At least one superconducting bump shaping unit (51s, 52s) positioned such as to locally steepen the first gradient, (dBz / dr)1, produced by the at least one superconducting bump coil, preferably by a factor of at least two, when said at least one superconducting bump shaping unit (51s, 52s) is activated.