Particle Energy Measurement via Segmented Capacitor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Particle accelerators require precise alignment of numerous components to maintain accurate particle energy, necessitating extensive and time-consuming test measurements due to the complex interdependence of component positions, leading to measurement uncertainty and prolonged adjustment times.
Innovation Solution
A particle energy measuring device employing multiple capacitors arranged in series, a multiplexer, and charge measuring devices to rapidly and accurately determine the energy of a particle beam by successively discharging capacitors and measuring the total charge, allowing for quick and precise alignment of accelerators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of capacitors are used to reduce measurement uncertainty, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device segments the total charge measurement into individual capacitor charge measurements. By using multiple capacitors (at least 20) arranged in series and measuring the charge on each capacitor plate individually through a multiplexer, the device achieves high measurement precision while managing complexity through systematic segmentation of the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer serves multiple functions: it sequentially connects each capacitor to the charge measuring device, enables individual plate charge measurements, and coordinates the discharge process. This single component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate measurement systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high precision through multiple capacitors.
2Measurement precision
If extensive test measurements are conducted to achieve effective alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process continuously accumulates charge data from multiple capacitors without interruption. The particle beam continuously charges the capacitor plates, and the multiplexer systematically measures each plate's charge in sequence, enabling complete alignment data collection in a single continuous operation rather than requiring multiple separate test measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary charge accumulation on multiple capacitor plates simultaneously during a single particle beam passage. This preliminary action captures comprehensive alignment information across all capacitors in one go, eliminating the need for subsequent extensive test measurements and significantly reducing adjustment time.
3Measurement precision
If multiple capacitors are charged by particle beam, then measurement precision is improved, but risk of capacitor breakdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total charge is segmented across multiple capacitor plates in series. Each individual capacitor plate accumulates only a fraction of the total charge, reducing the electrical stress and breakdown risk on any single capacitor while maintaining high measurement precision through the collective data from all plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs preliminary discharge of capacitor plates between measurement cycles. The control unit systematically discharges each capacitor plate after measurement, preventing charge accumulation that could lead to breakdown, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling repeated high-precision measurements.
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 solution achieves low measurement uncertainty and significantly reduces measurement time, enabling quicker adjustments and more accurate calibration of particle accelerators, while maintaining a good signal-to-noise ratio and minimizing the risk of capacitor breakdown.
Implementation Method 1
at least twenty capacitors (30.n), which each comprise a first capacitor plate (32.n) and a second capacitor plate (34.n), and are arranged one behind the other with respect to a beam incidence direction (S)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a particle energy measuring device (14) for determining the energy of a particle beam (26) with (a) at least twenty capacitors (30.n) that (i) each comprise a first capacitor plate (32.n) and (ii) a second capacitor plate (34.n), and (iii) are arranged one behind the other with respect to a beam incidence direction (S), (b) a multiplexer (46) that has (i) a multiplexer outlet (48) and (ii) a plurality of multiplexer inputs (50.n), each multiplexer input (50.n) being designed to connect to precisely one capacitor (30.n) and (iii) that is configured to connect one of the capacitor plates (32.n, 34.n) of the respective capacitor to the multiplexer outlet (48), (c) a total charge measuring device (52) that (i) comprises a total charge measuring device input (54), which is connected to the second capacitor plates (34.n) in order to detect a total charge (QΣ) of the charges on all the capacitors (30.n), and (d) a total charge measuring device outlet (56), and (d) an analysis circuit (58) that (i) is connected to the total charge measuring device (52) and the multiplexer (46), and is designed to automatically (i) effect a switch from one multiplexer input (50.n) to another multiplexer input (50.n), so that the capacitors are individually discharged in succession and (ii) detect the charge (Qn) flowing from each capacitor (30.n) during the discharging process, thereby obtaining charging data from which the particle energy (E) can be calculated.