Target-Surface Ion Beam Exclusion for Neutron Performance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Exposure of a shadowed section of a target to an ion beam in neutron beam generation for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) reduces the efficacy of the neutron beam, negatively impacting treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A computational model is used to select a scanning profile for a charged particle beam that avoids unfavorable sections of the target, such as those shadowed by cooling tubes or beam shaping assembly perturbations, optimizing beam path to minimize neutron production in these areas and enhance thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the ion beam scans across the entire target surface including shadowed sections, then the neutron beam coverage is maximized, but the thermal performance deteriorates and peak transient temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning profile applies different beam intensity and scanning speed characteristics to different regions of the target. Shadowed sections receive reduced beam intensity and/or increased scanning speed compared to non-shadowed sections, creating locally optimized conditions that prevent excessive temperature rise in specific areas while maintaining overall neutron beam coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If the ion beam scans across shadowed sections, then the neutron production is maximized, but the particle loading uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning profile dynamically adjusts beam parameters (intensity, scanning speed, dwell time) based on the spatial location and thermal conditions of different target regions. Shadowed sections are assigned different parameter values compared to non-shadowed sections, optimizing the balance between neutron production and particle loading uniformity across the entire target surface.
3Device complexity
If a simple scanning pattern is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the thermal performance and particle loading uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning profile employs dynamic adjustment of beam parameters during the scanning process rather than using a static, uniform pattern. The system continuously adapts intensity and scanning speed based on real-time thermal feedback and spatial position, achieving superior thermal performance and particle loading uniformity without requiring overly complex hardware modifications.
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 optimized scanning profile improves uniformity of particle loading and reduces peak transient temperature on the target, allowing for flexible target cooling and beam shaping designs while maintaining desired neutron beam performance.
Implementation Method 1
The ions react with nuclei in the target to emit a beam of neutrons
Implementation Method 2
The temperature values are obtained by solving a one-dimensional heat transport equation at each 'pixel' (element) of the grid
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to exclusion of ion beam paths on the target surface to optimize neutron beam performance. A particle beam is directed along an axis so that the particle beam is incident on a target positioned on the particle beam axis. The target has a scannable surface extending over an area substantially orthogonal to the axis. The particle beam is scanned across the scannable surface of the target along a first path having a first flux. The particle beam, having a second flux, is scanned across the scannable surface of the target along a second path that is within an exclusion area of the target.