Particle Accelerator Energy Switching via Adjustable Side-Cavity Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle accelerators struggle to output particle beams or imaging beams of varying energies due to high manufacturing requirements, limited energy level control, and inefficiencies in electric field adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A particle accelerator design featuring an acceleration cavity chain with asymmetric side cavity noses and an energy switch side cavity, equipped with a probe that adjusts electric field strength ratios by altering the insertion depth, allowing for precise control over particle beam energy levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a phase-shifting plate is used to regulate electric field strength, then energy level control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase-shifting plate and replaces it with a probe-type energy switch that directly adjusts the electric field in the side cavity. This removes the need for high-precision motion control of a moving plate while maintaining energy level control capability through probe insertion depth adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical phase-shifting plate system with an electromagnetic probe insertion system. Instead of mechanically moving a plate to change phase, a probe is inserted into the side cavity to directly modify the electric field distribution, achieving energy control through electromagnetic interaction rather than mechanical motion.
2Ease of operation
If probe-type energy switches are used to output therapeutic beams, then ease of operation is improved, but effectiveness for lower-energy imaging beams deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal probe-type energy switch system that can effectively produce both therapeutic beams (higher energy) and imaging beams (lower energy). The side cavity structure with adjustable probe insertion depth provides a multi-functional solution that adapts to different beam energy requirements, making the system versatile for both therapy and imaging applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of side cavities is increased to provide more energy levels, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic probe insertion mechanism that allows continuous adjustment of the probe depth into the side cavity. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to achieve multiple energy levels from a single side cavity configuration, replacing the need for multiple static side cavities with different numbers of cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter from the number of side cavities to the insertion depth of the probe. By varying the probe insertion depth, the electric field strength in the side cavity is adjusted, thereby controlling the output energy levels. This parameter change approach provides multiple energy levels without increasing the number of cavities.
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
Enables flexible output of particle beams with different energies, including therapeutic and imaging beams, enhancing treatment precision and personalization in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The energy switch probe is configured such that an insertion depth of the energy switch probe into the energy switch side cavity is able to be changed to adjust a ratio of electric field strengths of the two adjacent main cavities
Data Source
AI summary
A particle accelerator includes an acceleration cavity chain and at least one energy switch side cavity. The energy switch side cavity is communicated with two adjacent main cavities in the acceleration cavity chain through coupling openings respectively. The energy switch side cavity includes a pair of asymmetric side cavity noses arranged therein and an energy switch probe arranged at a top position thereof. The energy switch probe is configured to extend from the top position of the energy switch side cavity to a space between the pair of side cavity noses.