Cyclotron Intermediate Electrode for Beam Divergence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyclotrons experience beam divergence issues due to the diverging nature of particle beams emerging from the acceleration gap, leading to beam losses and the need for additional focusing mechanisms, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an intermediate electrode between the ion source and the extraction electrode in a cyclotron, creating a dual acceleration gap configuration where the first electric field has a magnitude less than the peak magnitude of the second electric field, allowing for controlled beam focusing and reduced divergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional single acceleration gap is used between the ion source and extraction electrode, then the device complexity is low, but beam divergence increases causing beam losses
Solution Approach 1:
The single acceleration gap is divided into two separate acceleration gaps by introducing an intermediate electrode. The first gap exists between the ion source and intermediate electrode, while the second gap exists between the intermediate electrode and extraction electrode. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each gap's electric field characteristics, enabling reduced beam divergence while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate electrode is introduced as a mediator between the ion source and extraction electrode. This intermediate electrode serves as a bridge that enables the creation of two distinct acceleration regions with different electric field magnitudes, thereby controlling beam divergence without requiring complete redesign of the entire acceleration system.
2Reliability
If the electric field magnitude in the first acceleration gap is increased to improve beam focusing, then beam divergence is reduced, but the peak electric field magnitude required increases causing higher stress on components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter distribution of electric field magnitude across the acceleration gaps. By setting the first electric field magnitude to be less than the peak second electric field magnitude, the system optimizes the parameter distribution to achieve effective beam focusing while distributing the electric field stress more favorably across the components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of electric field magnitudes in the two acceleration gaps, allowing the electric field parameters to be adjusted independently. This dynamic approach enables optimization of beam focusing at different stages of acceleration, reducing peak electric field stress on any single component while maintaining effective beam control.
3Reliability
If additional focusing mechanisms are added to compensate for beam divergence, then beam quality is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate electrode serves a dual function: it creates the first acceleration gap for initial beam formation and simultaneously acts as a focusing element for the emerging beam. This self-service approach allows the same component to perform multiple functions, maintaining beam quality without requiring separate dedicated focusing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate electrode is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both acceleration (creating the first acceleration gap) and focusing (controlling beam divergence) functions. This universal component approach maintains beam quality while avoiding the need for additional specialized focusing devices that would increase 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 configuration effectively reduces beam divergence, increases the accelerated current, and extends the lifetime of cyclotron components by minimizing beam losses and electrode erosion, while allowing for higher extraction voltages and more efficient particle acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
charged particles being exposed to a first electric field extending between the source and the intermediate electrode prior to being exposed to a second electric field extending between the intermediate electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
the magnitude of the first electric field being less than a peak magnitude of the second electric field
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An oscillating field particle accelerator and a method of reducing beam divergence in the particle accelerator are provided. The particle accelerator includes an intermediate electrode disposed within the particle accelerator between a source of charged particles and a second electrode of the particle accelerator. The charged particles are exposed to a first electric field extending between the source and the intermediate electrode prior to being exposed to a second electric field extending between the intermediate electrode and the second electrode. The magnitude of the first electric field is less than the peak magnitude of the second electric field, and may be less than or equal to a minimum magnitude of the second electric field occurring during a phase acceptance time period associated with a phase acceptance of the particle accelerator. The accelerated charged particles emerge from the second electrode as a non-diverging or reduced divergence particle beam.