Cyclotron Magnetic Field Zoning for Stable Ion Beam Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing particle therapy systems face inefficiencies in ion beam extraction due to increased amplitude in the vertical direction, which decreases extraction efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An accelerator system with a main magnetic field generation device, an extraction channel, and a disturbance magnetic field region that includes specific magnetic field strength gradients to guide the ion beam to the extraction channel, improving extraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ion beam passes through peeler magnetic field and regenerator magnetic field to increase horizontal amplitude for extraction, then the ion beam can be extracted from the circular accelerator, but the vertical amplitude also increases which decreases extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion beam extractionVSAvoidextraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field region is segmented into three distinct zones: peeler magnetic field region, regenerator magnetic field region, and flattening magnetic field region. Each region performs a specific function - the peeler increases horizontal amplitude, the regenerator maintains horizontal amplitude while reducing vertical amplitude, and the flattening reduces vertical amplitude further. This segmentation allows independent optimization of horizontal and vertical amplitude control, resolving the contradiction between achieving extraction and maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The regenerator magnetic field region acts as an intermediary between the peeler and flattening regions. It receives the ion beam with increased horizontal amplitude from the peeler, maintains this horizontal amplitude through resonance, while simultaneously reducing vertical amplitude. This intermediary function allows the system to achieve the desired horizontal displacement for extraction while preventing excessive vertical amplitude growth that would reduce extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the amplitude of ion beam in vertical direction increases due to resonance, then horizontal amplitude increases for extraction, but extraction efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion beam extraction capabilityVSAvoidextraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the magnetic field system are assigned different local qualities or characteristics. The peeler region has strong gradient to rapidly increase horizontal amplitude. The regenerator region has specific gradient characteristics that maintain horizontal resonance while providing vertical damping. The flattening region has gradients optimized for vertical amplitude reduction. This local quality differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function, resolving the contradiction between achieving extraction capability and maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a static main magnetic field is used in a cyclotron or synchronous cyclotron, then the accelerator structure is simplified, but the energy of ion beam taken out is fixed requiring external degrader for energy adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccelerator structureVSAvoidion beam energy adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic elements into the static main magnetic field structure through the peeler, regenerator, and flattening magnetic field regions. These regions can be dynamically activated to modify the magnetic field configuration, allowing the extraction energy to be varied by changing which regions are active and their respective field strengths. This maintains the simplicity of the static main magnetic field while adding the versatility needed for energy adjustment without requiring external degraders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances ion beam extraction efficiency by stabilizing the ion beam's trajectory and reducing vertical amplitude, allowing for more precise and efficient energy adjustment and extraction of ion beams within a predetermined range.

Implementation Method 1

accelerates an ion beam while circulating the ion beam by a main magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a disturbance magnetic field region provided on an outer peripheral portion of the main magnetic field region, the disturbance magnetic field region being configured to excite a magnetic field that disturbs the ion beam displaced outward and guides the ion beam to the extraction channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

accelerates the ion beam circulating in the circular accelerator to desired energy, and then feeds a radiofrequency electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiofrequency electric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 4

The ion beam to which the radiofrequency electric field is fed passes through a magnetic field region called a peeler magnetic field and a regenerator magnetic field in which an amplitude in a horizontal direction of betatron oscillation, which is oscillation centered on a central orbit, gradually increases to generate resonance of the betatron oscillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBetatron oscillation: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4240117A1Accelerator and particle therapy system
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4240117A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4240117A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4240117A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A disturbance magnetic field region provided in an outer peripheral portion of a main magnetic field region of an accelerator has a peeler region in which a strength of a magnetic field decreases toward an outside, a regenerator region in which the strength of the magnetic field increases toward the outside, and a substantially flat region in which the strength of the magnetic field is larger than the strength of the magnetic field of the peeler region and smaller than the strength of the magnetic field of the regenerator region.