Movable Plate Sensors for High-Intensity Beam Position Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detectors for high-intensity ionizing beams suffer from structural damage due to thermal drifts and fixed central holes that do not adapt to varying beam conditions, leading to frequent replacements and high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A detecting apparatus with two or more plate-shaped sensors made of semiconductor material, each with different impurity concentrations, movable to optimize beam interception and minimize damage, using integrated filters to discriminate energy components and improve spatial sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed central hole is used in the semiconductor plate to allow beam passage, then the central portion of the beam can pass through without interference, but the peripheral portion surrounding the hole deteriorates due to thermal drifts and structural damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam passage reliabilityVSAvoidthermal drift and structural damage to peripheral plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor plate is divided into multiple independent sensing zones separated by grooves or channels. These segments can independently detect beam position without a single large hole, distributing the thermal load and preventing localized deterioration while maintaining beam access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection approach transitions from a single-plane hole structure to a three-dimensional segmented architecture with grooves extending through the plate thickness. This dimensional change allows beam passage while distributing thermal stress across multiple separated regions rather than concentrating it around a single hole perimeter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the central hole size is fixed during manufacture, then the sensor structure is simplified, but the device cannot adapt to varying operating conditions of the high-intensity ionizing beam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor fabrication simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to varying beam conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow the effective hole size or sensing zone configuration to be dynamically changed during operation. This enables adaptation to different beam conditions while maintaining a relatively simple fixed manufacturing process for the base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor operates by changing detection parameters (such as which segmented zones are active, or the electrical bias applied to different regions) rather than physically changing the hole size. This allows adaptability to varying beam conditions while keeping the manufactured structure simple and fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If metal plates are deposited on both sides of the semiconductor to collect charges, then charge collection efficiency is improved, but the metallizations become strongly uneven and damaged due to beam displacement during alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge collection efficiencyVSAvoidmetallization layer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The metallization structure includes protective features or design margins that cushion against misalignment damage. The segmented structure with grooves provides mechanical separation that prevents damage propagation, and the metal layers are designed with sufficient thickness or coverage to tolerate reasonable alignment variations without failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 apparatus reduces sensor damage, adapts to beam conditions, and enhances detection accuracy by minimizing thermal loads and improving spatial sensitivity, allowing precise position and displacement measurement.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the properties of a high-intensity ionizing beam by measuring the number of charge carriers released inside the material, through the internal photoelectric effect, by the ionizing beam itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal photoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4653922A1Apparatus for detecting the position of a high-intensity ionising beam
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SENSIC GMBH
  • EP4653922A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4653922A1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1e
  • EP4653922A1 patent drawingFigure 1f~1i

AI summary

Detecting apparatus (1) for detecting the position of a high-intensity ionizing beam (A) emitted along a beam propagation direction (X-X), comprising a first plate-shaped sensor (2) and at least a second plate-shaped sensor (3), both comprising a respective plate (8) of semiconductor material extending between respective first ends (2a, 3a) and second ends (2b, 3b) along a first direction (D1-D1) transverse to the beam propagation direction (X-X). The second end (2b, 3b) of each plate-shaped sensor being configured to partially intercept a high-intensity ionizing beam portion (A) and detect, through photoelectric effect internal to the plate (8) and built-in electric potential active in the plate (8), the intensity and energy of the respective portion of the ionizing beam (A). The second plate-shaped sensor (3) is arranged along the first direction (D1-D1) opposite to the first plate-shaped sensor (2) with respect to the high-intensity ionizing beam (A), the two plate-shaped sensors (2, 3) being movable along the first direction (D1-D1).