Ion beam exclusion paths on the target surface to optimize neutron beam performance

A method of scanning a particle beam across a target, the method comprising:

• directing the particle beam towards a scannable surface of the target, the target comprising a region of interest and an exclusion zone;
• scanning the particle beam across the scannable surface using a recent path avoidance pattern based on a trochoid shape comprising a plurality of lobes, wherein a traversal order of the plurality of lobes extends a cooling period between beam crossing points where a path of the particle beam crosses itself;
• and
• selectively scanning the particle beam to avoid or minimize scanning in the exclusion zone of the target.

A method of operating a charged particle beam, the method comprising:

• directing the charged particle beam towards a scannable surface of a target configured to generate neutrons, the target comprising a region of interest and an exclusion zone;
• scanning the charged particle beam across the region of interest with a first velocity;
• and
• scanning the charged particle beam across the exclusion zone with a second velocity higher than the first velocity,
• wherein a scanning pattern of the charged particle beam is based on a modified trochoid that preferentially loads regions outside the exclusion zone.