RF Particle Accelerator Fundamental Power Couplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing superconducting radio frequency accelerator designs lack strong fundamental power couplers to achieve high accelerating gradients and high linear density of accelerating cells, limiting the effective accelerating gradient to less than 1.5 MeV/m and failing to simultaneously provide strong coupling and high brightness particle beams.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency particle accelerator structure comprising a first and second electromagnetic resonant cavity sequentially coupled by a fundamental power coupler, which emits and resonates radio frequency electromagnetic energy to drive a particle beam, with cavities spaced at intervals of half a free space wavelength for efficient acceleration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If single cell cavities are spaced at intervals of over 1.6 free space wavelengths, then coupling between cavities is reduced, but the effective accelerating gradient decreases to less than 1.5 MeV/m

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoideffective accelerating gradient

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spacing parameter between cavities from over 1.6 wavelengths to exactly half a wavelength, and introduces fundamental power couplers with specific coupling coefficients. This parameter optimization enables both strong coupling and high accelerating gradient to coexist, resolving the contradiction between coupling stability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fundamental power couplers with strong coupling are not incorporated, then cavity matching for 1-ampere beam is not achieved, but the linear density of accelerating cells cannot be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam currentVSAvoidcoupler design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing fundamental power couplers with specific coupling coefficients tailored to each cavity position. The couplers are locally optimized to provide strong coupling exactly where needed for 1-ampere beam operation, while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If cavities are spaced closer to increase linear density, then more cavities fit per unit length, but the coupling between cavities becomes insufficient without strong fundamental power couplers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear density of accelerating cellsVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fundamental power couplers act as intermediary elements between closely spaced cavities. These couplers mediate the power transfer by providing controlled coupling paths that maintain high efficiency even when cavities are positioned at optimal half-wavelength intervals for maximum linear density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enables the production of high brightness particle beams with an average current of 1 ampere, suitable for future high power free electron lasers and other accelerator-driven sources of electromagnetic radiation.

Implementation Method 1

Radio frequency electromagnetic energy is emitted from a fundamental power coupler connected between a first electromagnetic resonant cavity sequentially coupled to a second electromagnetic resonant cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The radio frequency electromagnetic energy resonates in the first electromagnetic resonant cavity and the second electromagnetic resonant cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

The first electromagnetic resonant cavity is operable to drive a particle beam by resonating an electromagnetic mode. The second electromagnetic resonant cavity is sequentially coupled to the first electromagnetic resonant cavity, and is operable to drive the particle beam by resonating an electromagnetic mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic acceleration: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS9485849B1RF particle accelerator structure with fundamental power couplers for ampere class beam current

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A radio frequency particle accelerator structure and particle acceleration method are disclosed. Radio frequency electromagnetic energy is emitted from a fundamental power coupler coupled between a first electromagnetic resonant cavity sequentially coupled a second electromagnetic resonant cavity. The radio frequency electromagnetic energy is resonated in the first electromagnetic resonant cavity and the second electromagnetic resonant cavity.