Pyroelectric Electron Accelerator Ionization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ionization detectors rely on radioactive materials, which pose safety concerns and lack consistent or tunable energy levels, and alternative non-radioactive solutions like soft x-rays are challenging to miniaturize for compact electronics.
Innovation Solution
A pyroelectric electron accelerator generates electrons that collide with a silicon target to produce x-ray radiation with controlled energy, providing a non-radioactive and tunable ionization source for gas detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radioactive materials are used in the ionization source, then ionization capability is achieved, but safety concerns and lack of consistent energy levels occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the radioactive material from the ionization source, replacing it with a non-radioactive electron accelerator system that uses an electron gun to generate electrons which then collide with a gas target to produce ions, thereby achieving ionization capability without the harmful radioactive components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radioactive decay mechanism with an electronically controlled electron acceleration and collision system, using electrical fields to accelerate electrons and mechanical control to regulate electron beam parameters, providing consistent and tunable energy levels without radioactive hazards
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft x-rays are used for ionization, then non-radioactive ionization is achieved, but miniaturization for compact electronics is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ionization process into distinct functional modules: an electron gun for electron generation, an acceleration region with controllable electrical fields, a gas target chamber, and a detection region. This modular segmentation enables independent optimization of each component and facilitates miniaturization while maintaining non-radioactive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electric field strength, electron beam current, and gas pressure as controllable parameters to optimize the ionization process. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves efficient ionization in a compact volume without requiring soft x-ray sources, enabling miniaturization for portable applications
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 solution enables a compact, low-power, and efficient ionization device that produces x-rays with a suitable energy range for gas detection, overcoming the limitations of radioactive sources and achieving consistent energy levels for various detector applications.
Implementation Method 1
A pyroelectric crystal electron accelerator operates as a source of electrons. The accelerator includes crystallographic Z surfaces of pyroelectric crystals that cause electron acceleration away from those surfaces. This is a known phenomena that occurs when the temperature of the pyroelectric crystals is changed
Implementation Method 2
A silicon target is positioned in a path of the electrons. As the electrons collide with the silicon target, x-ray radiation results.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrated example ionization device includes a pyroelectric electron accelerator that causes electrons to move away from the accelerator. A silicon target is positioned in a path of the electrons. X-ray radiation results from the electrons colliding with the target. In one example embodiment, the electrons moving between the accelerator and the target have energy up to 60 KeV and the target attenuates the energy so that the x-ray radiation has energy between 1 KeV and 3 KeV.