Synchrocyclotron RF Slope Control for Higher Beam Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle accelerators face challenges in achieving high beam currents and beam intensities necessary for ultra-high dose rate particle therapy due to limitations in controlling beam current and pressure within the accelerator, leading to collisional particle losses and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a particle source with a controllable valve to regulate gas flow, a rotating capacitor to vary RF voltage, and a magnetic dipole for beam bending, allowing precise control of particle injection and acceleration, thereby increasing beam current and reducing pressure effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the RF voltage slope is increased to accelerate particles more rapidly in the magnetic cavity, then the acceleration efficiency is improved, but the beam current decreases due to reduced particle injection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the RF voltage slope time-dependent rather than constant. The slope is dynamically adjusted to be less steep during the injection phase and steeper during the acceleration phase, allowing the system to optimize for both particle injection efficiency and acceleration speed at different time points in the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through cyclic modulation of the RF voltage waveform. The voltage slope follows a periodic pattern that alternates between shallower slopes for injection and steeper slopes for acceleration, synchronized with the periodic injection and acceleration cycles of the synchrocyclotron.
2Quantity of substance
If the pressure in the magnetic cavity is increased to allow more particles, then the beam intensity is improved, but collisional particle losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing optimal vacuum conditions and controlling gas flow rates before particle injection begins. The system prepares the magnetic cavity with controlled pressure levels and gas composition in advance, ensuring minimal collisional losses while maintaining sufficient particle density for high beam intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting pressure and gas flow parameters during operation. The system optimizes the balance between particle density and collisional losses by modifying pressure levels and gas composition based on the operational phase and beam current requirements.
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 generation of high beam currents and intensities suitable for ultra-high dose rate particle therapy, minimizing collisional losses and enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
electrodes on different ends of the tube for applying an electrical potential to ionize the gas and thereby produce the particles
Implementation Method 2
circuitry to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to the magnetic cavity to accelerate particles from ionized plasma in orbits in the magnetic cavity
Implementation Method 3
The conduit may include a magnetic dipole configured to bend the particle beam by at least 90° towards the patient. The magnetic dipole may be configured to bend the particle beam by at least 90° in a presence of a magnetic field of at least 3 Tesla (T).
Data Source
AI summary
An example particle accelerator includes a particle source to provide particles to a magnetic cavity; circuitry to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to the magnetic cavity to accelerate particles from the ionized plasma in orbits in the magnetic cavity, where the RF voltage has a slope that is less when the particles are injected into the magnetic cavity than when the particles are accelerated in the magnetic cavity; and an extraction channel to receive the particles from the magnetic cavity for output as a particle beam from the particle accelerator.