Electrostatic Bottle for Antiproton Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for storing and transporting antiprotons are inefficient due to the need for magnetic fields, cryogenic temperatures, and multiple electric fields, which increase container weight and size, and do not effectively manage hydrogen diffusion and particle annihilation.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic bottle with a single integrated electric field, using axisymmetric or quadrupole electrodes, and a vacuum system with getter materials to maintain particle confinement and minimize hydrogen diffusion, allowing for the storage and transport of antiprotons without magnetic fields or cryogenic temperatures, and enabling annihilation within the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic fields and multiple electric fields are used to contain antiprotons, then particle confinement is achieved, but container weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes magnetic fields from the containment system, using only electrostatic fields to confine antiprotons. This extraction of the magnetic field component eliminates the associated weight and complexity while maintaining confinement effectiveness through carefully configured electrode arrangements that create appropriate potential wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple electric field functions into a single integrated electrostatic containment system. Rather than using separate magnetic and electric field systems, the invention merges all containment functions into an electrostatic system using axisymmetric or quadrupole electrode configurations, reducing overall system weight and complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If magnetic fields and cryogenic temperatures are used, then antiproton storage is stable, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cryogenic temperature requirement from the system. By using purely electrostatic confinement with appropriate potential well configurations, the invention maintains antiproton storage stability at higher temperatures, removing the need for complex cryogenic infrastructure and thermal insulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from requiring cryogenic temperatures to operating at higher temperatures through electrostatic confinement. This parameter change fundamentally simplifies the system by eliminating cryogenic requirements while maintaining storage stability through electrostatic potential wells created by the electrode configurations.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional containment methods are used, then particle storage is achieved, but hydrogen diffusion and particle annihilation are not effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by using getter materials specifically at critical locations within the vacuum chamber where hydrogen diffusion and particle annihilation are most likely to occur. This localized treatment enhances particle retention without requiring complete system redesign, addressing loss mechanisms at their most problematic points while maintaining overall storage capacity.
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 electrostatic bottle effectively confines and transports antiprotons, reducing weight and size, minimizing particle loss, and allowing for medical and research applications by decelerating antiprotons for portable use and annihilation within the container.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic means, such as a bottle... an electric field within the apparatus capable of preventing or controlling the charged particles from striking a surface within the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum system with getter materials to maintain particle confinement and minimize hydrogen diffusion
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum system with getter materials to maintain particle confinement and minimize hydrogen diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
Particle storing apparatus including only one electric field restraining charged particles, such as antiprotons, in an ultrahigh vacuum from striking a container surface for a half-life of at least 1 hour. Depending on implementation, restraining can be devoid of a magnetic field, and the container can be devoid of cryogenic cooling or need not include a dewar.