Integrated Ion Source Chamber for Low-Pressure Neutron Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion sources and neutron generators face challenges with complex setups, high maintenance requirements, and reduced neutron yields due to ion losses during transport, necessitating improved ion production methods at low background pressures for continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
An ion source and neutron generator design utilizing a chamber with a filament, acceleration grid, and suppression grid, where thermionic emission generates ions at low pressure, and a recirculating electron trap enhances ionization, with controlled voltages to optimize ion production and minimize electron interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plasma generation methods (RF excitation, arc discharges, filament assisted discharges) are used to generate high current ions, then ion production capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ionization region and acceleration region into a single chamber, eliminating the need for separate ion source and accelerator systems. The filament is positioned within the acceleration chamber, and ions are generated and accelerated in the same spatial volume, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculating electron trap uses the electrons themselves to maintain the ionization process. Electrons that would normally be lost are recirculated back through the ionization region, continuously ionizing gas molecules and sustaining plasma without requiring external energy input beyond the initial filament heating, thereby reducing maintenance requirements.
2Productivity
If high gas pressure is used in the ion source chamber to facilitate plasma generation, then ion production efficiency is improved, but ion acceleration capability deteriorates due to increased collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ionization and acceleration functions into a single chamber operating at low pressure. By positioning the filament and acceleration grid within the same chamber and applying appropriate voltages, the system generates ions and accelerates them simultaneously without requiring high gas pressure, thus avoiding collision losses while maintaining ion production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from conventional high pressure to low pressure (below 1 millitorr). This parameter change enables both efficient ion generation through thermionic emission and effective ion acceleration by minimizing gas molecule collisions, resolving the contradiction between ion production and ion acceleration.
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete apparatuses are used for ion generation and acceleration in conventional neutron sources, then functional separation is achieved, but ion current is limited resulting in insufficient neutron yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ion source and accelerator into a single integrated system where ions are generated and accelerated in the same chamber. This integration allows for higher ion currents to be achieved by eliminating transport losses between separate components, directly increasing neutron yield while maintaining functional separation through distinct electrode structures.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional neutron sources are designed with multiple specialized components for ion extraction, acceleration, focusing, and steering, then ion beam control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the chamber walls and electrode structures to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The acceleration grid serves as both an acceleration element and a focusing element, while the chamber geometry itself provides beam steering capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed while maintaining precise ion beam control.
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 system achieves high ion yields and neutron production efficiency with reduced maintenance needs, enabling continuous operation and improved neutron yield by minimizing ion collisions and electron heating.
Implementation Method 1
The first positive voltage applied to the filament is configured to heat the filament to a temperature at which thermionic emission occurs and a plurality of thermions are generated
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of thermions is configured to ionize the gas to generate positive ions in an ionization region
Implementation Method 3
This creates a recirculating electron trap with electrons oscillating back and forth in the center of the device, which cause ionization of the low-pressure background gas
Implementation Method 4
Ions created in this region will accelerate outward toward the wall of the structure due to the electric field configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating ions includes providing a filament in a chamber containing gas, applying a first positive voltage to the filament relative to the chamber to heat the filament to a temperature at which thermionic emission occurs and a plurality of thermions are generated, and ionizing the gas to generate positive ions in an ionization region of the chamber.