Scanning Electron Beam for Vacuum Window Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle accelerator systems face challenges in delivering high power density electron beams effectively to targets due to significant waste heat generation, which damages vacuum barriers and converters, making it impractical to concentrate bremsstrahlung intensity for applications like medical isotope production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving repetitive scanning of the electron beam between two angular orientations as it traverses a vacuum window, synchronized with the movement of the target, to maintain alignment and concentrate the beam on the target, thereby reducing heat accumulation on the vacuum window and converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power density electron beam is concentrated on the target, then bremsstrahlung production efficiency is improved, but waste heat damages the vacuum window and converter
Solution Approach 1:
The electron beam is divided into multiple segments by scanning it across different positions on the converter and vacuum window. Instead of concentrating the entire beam on a single spot, the beam is distributed across multiple locations through rapid scanning, thereby reducing thermal load on any single component while maintaining high power delivery to the target
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic scanning of the electron beam across the converter and vacuum window, making the beam position time-dependent. The beam rapidly moves between different angular orientations and positions, preventing heat accumulation at any fixed location while delivering high average power to the target for efficient bremsstrahlung production
2Power
If electron beam intensity and kinetic energy are increased, then bremsstrahlung intensity is improved, but waste heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat into a manageable thermal distribution pattern. By scanning the high-power electron beam across multiple positions, the waste heat is distributed across a larger area of the converter and vacuum window, transforming a concentrated destructive thermal load into a dispersed acceptable thermal profile that preserves component integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The electron beam is applied in a periodic scanning pattern, rapidly oscillating between different positions on the converter and vacuum window. This periodic action allows each location to cool down between beam passes while maintaining high average power delivery to the target, effectively managing waste heat generation from high-power operation
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 approach allows for high power density beam concentration on the target without damaging the vacuum window or converter, enhancing the efficiency of bremsstrahlung production and reducing thermal stresses, enabling effective transmutation and isotope production while maintaining the integrity of the accelerator system components.
Implementation Method 1
bremsstrahlung (meaning braking radiation) is the radiation which is emitted when electrons are decelerated or braked when they are fired at a target. Accelerated charges give off electromagnetic radiation, and when the energy of the bombarding electrons is high enough, that radiation is in the x-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.