Movable Grid Ion Beam Extraction for Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion beam extraction techniques have limited flexibility in adapting to varying application conditions, with ion beam power strongly dependent on extraction voltage, leading to reduced power when beam energy is decreased, and limited degrees of freedom in minimizing divergence.
Innovation Solution
An ion beam extraction apparatus with a movable grid that can be shifted along the beam axis, allowing adjustable grid distance between grids, enabling independent control of particle energy and current while maintaining minimum divergence, thereby optimizing perveance for a wide range of voltage and current combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the beam energy is decreased from its design value, then the adaptability to varying application conditions is improved, but the ion beam power strongly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the grid distance adjustable rather than fixed. The grid distance can be dynamically changed to optimize perveance for different beam energies and currents. This allows the system to adapt to varying application conditions while maintaining optimal power output, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and power maintenance.
2Device complexity
If the grid distance is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the degrees of freedom for minimizing divergence and optimizing perveance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable grid that can adjust its distance from the plasma grid, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This additional degree of freedom allows optimization of perveance and minimization of beam divergence for different operating conditions, while the adjustment mechanism maintains relatively simple device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extraction voltage is changed to optimize beam energy, then the adaptability is improved, but the ion beam power has strong dependence on extraction voltage leading to power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the grid distance in addition to extraction voltage. By changing the grid distance parameter, the system can optimize perveance to compensate for power losses when changing extraction voltage for beam energy optimization, thus maintaining both adaptability and power output.
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 approach provides increased variability in ion beam extraction, reduces power dependency on extraction voltage, and allows for the creation of ion beams with minimum divergence, extending the operational space of ion beam extraction systems.
Implementation Method 1
The grids are arranged for applying different electrical potentials for creating an ion extraction and acceleration field along the beam axis
Implementation Method 2
at least two grids being arranged adjacent to the ion source device and having a mutual grid distance along a beam axis... for accelerating ions by electrical potentials along a beam axis
Data Source
AI summary
An ion beam extraction apparatus (100), being configured for creating an ion beam (1), in particular adapted for a neutral beam injection apparatus of a fusion plasma plant, comprises an ion source device (10) being arranged for creating ions, and a grid device (20) comprising at least two grids (21, 22) being arranged adjacent to the ion source device (10) and having a mutual grid distance d along a beam axis z, wherein the grids (21, 22) are electrically insulated relative to each other, the grids (21, 22) are arranged for applying different electrical potentials for creating an ion extraction and acceleration field (3) along the beam axis z, and he ion source device (10) and the grid device (20) are arranged in an evacuable ion beam space (30) extending along the beam axis z, wherein at least one of the grids is a movable grid (21), which can be shifted along the beam axis z, and the grid device (20) is coupled with a grid drive device (40) having a drive motor (41), which is arranged for moving the movable grid (21) along the beam axis z and setting the grid distance d between the movable grid (21) and another one of the grids (21, 22). Furthermore, applications of the ion beam extraction apparatus and a method of creating an ion beam along a beam axis z are disclosed.