Low Pressure Wire Ion Plasma Discharge Source
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low pressure wire ion plasma discharge sources for pulsed X-ray generators face challenges in achieving high ion density, stability, and uniformity, with prior solutions either compromising reliability or plasma uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A low pressure wire ion plasma discharge source with at least two anode wires, one connected to a DC voltage supply and the other to a pulsed voltage supply, where the DC wire acts as an auxiliary source to establish a stable and uniform plasma with low jitter, using a constricted mode to maintain plasma uniformity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple successive WIP discharges are applied to reduce jitter, then plasma stability improves, but device reliability and lifetime deteriorate due to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
A DC voltage is applied to the anode wire before the pulsed voltage to pre-establish a stable plasma. This preliminary plasma formation reduces the statistical uncertainty and jitter when the main pulsed discharge occurs, eliminating the need for multiple successive discharges and thereby reducing device wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC voltage maintains a continuous plasma along the anode wire, ensuring that ionization is already present and stable before the pulsed discharge. This continuous plasma presence provides a reliable seed for each pulsed discharge, improving stability without requiring repeated discharge cycles that would increase device wear.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple successive WIP discharges are applied to reduce jitter, then plasma stability improves, but plasma uniformity deteriorates due to longitudinal confinement
Solution Approach 1:
The DC voltage pre-establishes a uniform plasma distribution along the entire length of the anode wire before the pulsed discharge. This preliminary uniform plasma ensures that when the pulsed voltage is applied, the ionization occurs uniformly along the wire, avoiding the longitudinal confinement effects that occur with multiple successive discharges.
3Quantity of substance
If high discharge current is applied to create high ion density, then X-ray dose improves, but plasma uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The DC voltage creates a preliminary uniform plasma distribution along the anode wire. When the high current pulsed voltage is then applied, it draws ions from this pre-established uniform distribution, ensuring that high ion density is achieved at the cathode while maintaining uniformity of the plasma source along the wire length.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage application is segmented into two distinct phases: a DC phase that establishes uniform plasma distribution, and a pulsed phase that extracts ions for high density. This temporal segmentation allows each phase to optimize its function without compromising the other.
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 ensures low jitter, stability, and uniformity of the plasma, enabling high ion density and reliable X-ray emission with reduced device wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
a first of said at least two anode wires is connected to a direct current (DC) voltage supply... the DC wire acts as an auxiliary source to establish a stable and uniform plasma
Implementation Method 2
a second of said at least two anode wires is connected to a pulsed voltage supply... Application of the pulsed positive voltage creates a plasma of positive ions (for example He+) formed along the wire(s)
Implementation Method 3
Positive ions are attracted towards the cathode 20 and, upon collision with the cathode 20, create secondary electrons forming an electron beam
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a low pressure wire ion plasma discharge source including an elongated ionization chamber housing at least two parallel anode wires extending longitudinally within the ionization chamber. A first of the at least two anode wires is connected to a DC voltage supply and a second of the at least two anode wires is connected to a pulsed voltage supply.