US 2014/0184061 A1 · ARRAY STRUCTURES FOR FIELD-ASSISTED POSITRON MODERATION AND CORRESPONDING METHODS

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for the moderation of positrons are provided herein. The apparatus may include a structure consisting of linear arrays of electrode and semiconductor structures of generally planar or cylindrical form with vacuum gaps between each element electrode. This structure may be contained within a vacuum chamber. The positron source may be positioned adjacent to the moderator structure or the electrodes may act as the positron source by pair production through bombardment of high energy photons, electrons, or neutrons. Positrons from this source may be implanted into the moderator material and drift to the moderator surfaces through the influence of the electric fields produced by the electrodes. Positrons may be emitted from the surfaces of the moderator material and may be confined by orthogonal electric and magnetic fields while they drift out from the vacuum gap between cathodes and anodes for extraction.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for moderation of positrons, the apparatus comprising:

a vacuum chamber;
at least one cathode structure positioned within the vacuum chamber;
a moderator material attached to at least a portion of the at least one cathode structure, wherein the moderator material is configured to receive positrons from a positron source;
at least one anode positioned within the vacuum chamber and spaced apart from the at least one cathode structure and moderator material so as to define a vacuum gap between the moderator material and the at least one anode;
and
a voltage source connected to the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode, wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a positive potential to the at least one cathode structure and a negative potential to the at least one anode to create an electric field that is configured to cause the positrons received by the moderator material to drift toward a surface of the moderator material and into a vacuum gap.

3 more elements

An apparatus for moderation of positrons, the apparatus comprising:

a vacuum chamber;
at least one cathode structure positioned within the vacuum chamber;
a moderator material attached to at least a portion of the at least one cathode structure, wherein the moderator material is configured to receive positrons from a positron source;
at least one anode positioned within the vacuum chamber;
a voltage source connected to the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode, wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a positive potential to the at least one cathode structure and a negative potential to the at least one anode to create an electric field that is configured to cause the positrons received by the moderator material to drift toward a surface of the moderator material;
and
a magnetic field source configured to produce a magnetic field throughout the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode, wherein the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field and configured to cooperate with the electric field to encourage the positrons to drift toward a harvesting area.

4 more elements

A method for moderation of positrons, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber;
at least one cathode structure positioned within the vacuum chamber;
a moderator material attached to at least a portion of the at least one cathode structure, wherein the moderator material is configured to receive positrons from a positron source;
at least one anode positioned within the vacuum chamber and spaced apart from the at least one cathode structure and moderator material so as to define a vacuum gap between the moderator material and the at least one anode;
and
a voltage source connected to the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode;
establishing an electric field across the apparatus by applying a positive potential to the at least one cathode structure and applying a negative potential to the at least one anode, wherein the electric field is configured to cause the positrons received by the moderator material to drift toward a surface of the moderator material and into the vacuum gap;
and
extracting the positrons that drift away from the moderator material through the vacuum gap.

7 more elements

A method for moderation of positrons, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber;
at least one cathode structure positioned within the vacuum chamber;
a moderator material attached to at least a portion of the at least one cathode structure, wherein the moderator material is configured to receive positrons from a positron source;
at least one anode positioned within the vacuum chamber;
and
a voltage source connected to the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode;
establishing an electric field across the apparatus by applying a positive potential to the at least one cathode structure and applying a negative potential to the at least one anode, wherein the electric field is configured to cause the positrons received by the moderator material to drift toward a surface of the moderator material;
establishing a magnetic field throughout the at least one cathode structure and the at least one anode, wherein the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field and is configured to cooperate with the electric field to encourage the positrons to drift toward a harvesting area;
and
extracting the positrons from the harvesting area.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Array structures for field-assisted positron moderation and corresponding methods

Life of this patent

Array structures for field-assisted positron moderation and corresponding methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24