Microwave Coupler Layout for High-Q Electron Cyclotron Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional equipment for producing energetic charged particles, such as electron cyclotron resonance accelerators, are costly, large, and limited in mobility, necessitating improvements for compact, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-power electron beams for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A microwave coupler using a pair of parallel rectangular waveguides and a mode converter with coaxial cylinders is introduced, transforming radiation patterns into a rotating TE-11 coaxial mode to efficiently couple RF energy into an electron cyclotron resonance acceleration (eCRA) cavity, eliminating the need for openings in the cavity wall and simplifying magnet design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional equipment is used for producing energetic charged particles, then particle acceleration can be achieved, but the equipment requires high investment cost and large facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The mode converter employs nested coaxial cylindrical structures where an inner cylinder is positioned within an outer cylinder. This nesting arrangement allows the RF cavity to be coupled efficiently while maintaining a compact overall footprint, thereby achieving high-power electron beam generation without requiring large facility space
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional waveguide coupling to a three-dimensional coaxial cylindrical configuration. The mode converter uses axial and radial dimensions of the coaxial structure to transform radiation patterns into rotating TE-11 modes, enabling compact high-power acceleration by utilizing spatial dimensions more efficiently
2Power
If conventional equipment is used for producing energetic charged particles, then particle acceleration can be achieved, but the equipment requires high investment cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a mode converter section with coaxial cylinders for RF coupling, an RF cavity for electron acceleration, and supporting components. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and optimized independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high-power capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mode converter acts as an intermediary component that efficiently couples RF energy from waveguides into the RF cavity. By using simple coaxial cylindrical structures rather than complex conventional couplers, the invention reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining effective power transfer for high-power electron beam generation
3Power
If conventional equipment is used for producing energetic charged particles, then particle acceleration can be achieved, but the equipment has limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The nested coaxial cylindrical design integrates the mode converter and RF cavity coupling in a compact configuration, reducing the overall equipment footprint. This compactness enables the accelerator to be more easily relocated and adapted to different application sites while maintaining high-power electron beam generation capability
4Use of energy by stationary object
If openings are made in the cavity wall for coupling, then RF energy can be coupled in, but the quality factor of the cavity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mode converter serves as an intermediary coupling mechanism that transfers RF energy from waveguides to the RF cavity through its coaxial cylindrical structure. This intermediary approach enables efficient energy coupling without requiring direct openings in the cavity wall, thereby maintaining high cavity quality factor while achieving effective RF power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of coupling through openings in the cavity wall (two-dimensional approach), the invention uses a three-dimensional coaxial cylindrical mode converter that couples RF energy through the volume surrounding the cavity. This dimensional change allows efficient energy transfer while preserving the integrity and quality factor of the cavity structure
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 enhances the quality factor of the RF cavity, reduces RF power requirements, and enables more compact, portable, and efficient electron acceleration, suitable for high-power applications like wastewater remediation and industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
a mode converter coupled to respective ends of the pair of parallel rectangular waveguides, the mode converter including two coaxial cylinders
Implementation Method 2
the mode converter is configured to transform a radiation pattern into a rotating TE-11 coaxial mode between the two coaxial cylinders
Implementation Method 3
electron cyclotron resonance accelerator
Implementation Method 4
accelerating the beam of electrons with non-linear cyclotron resonance acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for accelerating electrons include a radio-frequency (RF) waveguide configured to couple an RF source to an accelerator that utilizes electron cyclotron resonance acceleration (eCRA). The RF waveguide includes a pair of parallel rectangular waveguides including a first waveguide and a second waveguide and a mode converter coupled to respective ends of the pair of parallel rectangular waveguides. The mode converter includes and outer body and two coaxial cylinders. An electron source is configured to provide a beam of electrons through an inner cylinder. An accelerator includes a RF cavity having a longitudinal axis, a cylindrical outer wall, an inlet, and an outlet and an electro-magnet surrounding the RF cavity and configured to produce an axial magnetic field. The mode converter is configured to excite a rotating TE-111 mode in the RF cavity.