Stabilized Diode Radiation Source with Rotating Target Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle accelerator systems face limitations in peak brightness, average power, accuracy, and lifetime due to material damage from high power densities, particularly in pulsed applications, with current technologies struggling to sustain high current densities and large areas without frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A particle accelerator system with a shaped electrode surface featuring spiral patterns of varying spatial frequencies and a rotating target design with enhanced cooling, allowing for controlled emission and improved target durability, enabling high peak and average power operation with reduced material erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high current density is used to increase brightness and peak power, then radiation output is improved, but material damage and erosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotating target that dynamically moves the beam impact location across multiple surface areas. This dynamic rotation allows the same high power beam to be sustained over time by continuously presenting fresh target material to the beam, preventing localized material damage while maintaining high peak power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The target is designed with multiple discrete surface areas or zones that can be independently exposed to the particle beam. By segmenting the target surface and rotating it, the system distributes the intense beam power across multiple segments rather than concentrating it on a single location, thereby extending overall target lifetime while maintaining high power operation.
2Illumination intensity
If high current density is used to increase brightness, then radiation output is improved, but heat concentration increases causing material failure
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating target creates a dynamic thermal management system where heat is continuously distributed across different target zones. This prevents heat accumulation at any single location, allowing high current density operation that produces bright radiation without causing localized thermal failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static two-dimensional target surface to a three-dimensional rotating target system. This adds the temporal dimension of rotation, allowing heat to be dissipated across the target's rotational path and enabling better thermal management while maintaining high brightness output.
3Device complexity
If stationary targets are used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but target lifetime is limited due to localized damage
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of a rotating target mechanism transforms the system from static to dynamic. While this adds some mechanical complexity, it dramatically extends target lifetime by preventing localized damage accumulation. The rotation mechanism is relatively simple compared to the benefits gained in target durability and system reliability.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If rotating targets are used to extend lifetime, then target durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating target provides a straightforward dynamic solution that extends target lifetime through continuous motion. The mechanical complexity added is minimal—a rotation mechanism that distributes beam impact across multiple zones—yet delivers significant improvements in target durability and system reliability.
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 system achieves stable, high-power radiation output with extended target lifetime and precise dose control, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs by managing hot spots and localized heating through balanced electric and magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
The particle beam source has an electrode with an electrode surface. The electrode surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the electrode surface defines a spiral pattern with high spatial-frequency contours. The second portion of the electrode surface defines a spiral pattern with low spatial-frequency contours.
Implementation Method 2
Known systems for creating radiation sources for such purposes typically have a particle beam source, an accelerator region, and a target region.
Implementation Method 3
For the past few decades, participants in this field often have been developing higher temperature materials and rotating anodes to disperse the heat over larger areas and to maintain lower temperatures and longer life.
Implementation Method 4
The particle accelerator can output radiation in at least one pulse.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more amendments, a particle accelerator has a particle beam source and a target. The particle accelerator is configured to output radiation in at least one pulse. The particle beam source has an electrode with an electrode surface. The electrode surface has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the electrode surface defines a spiral pattern with high spatial-frequency contours. The second portion of the electrode surface defines a spiral pattern with low spatial-frequency contours.