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US 5,870,447 AGranted
Method and apparatus for generating low energy nuclear particles
AssigneeBrookhaven Science Associates, LLC
InventorsJames R. Powell, Morris Reich, Hans Ludewig, Michael Todosow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A particle accelerator (12) generates an input particle beam having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating secondary nuclear particles. A thin target (14) is rotated in the path of the input beam for undergoing nuclear reactions to generate the secondary particles and correspondingly decrease energy of the input beam to about the threshold. The target (14) produces low energy secondary particles and is effectively cooled by radiation and conduction. A neutron scatterer (44) and a neutron filter (42) are also used for preferentially degrading the secondary particles into a lower energy range if desired.
Claims25
A method of generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- rotating a target (14);
- and
- directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold and further comprising:
- rotating a plurality of axially adjoining ones of said targets (14);
- directing said input beam (12a) in turn through said targets (14) to generate said secondary particles (16) and decrease energy of said input beam at each of said targets to about said threshold;
- and
- reaccelerating said input beam (12a) between succeeding ones of said targets to about said initial energy level prior to undergoing said nuclear reactions therein.
5 more elements
A method of generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- rotating a target (14);
- and
- directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold wherein:
- said input beam is a proton particle beam;
- said secondary nuclear particles are neurons;
- said target is lithium;
- said threshold is about 1.88 MeV;
- said initial energy level is less than about 2.2 MeV;
- and
- said neutrons have an energy less than about 100 keV.
8 more elements
A method of generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- rotating a target (14);
- directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold;
- and
- interposing with said target (14) a neutron filter (42) having a step in scattering cross section at a step energy below about 100 keV for respectively impeding and permitting neutron transmission therethrough at energies above and below said step energy.
2 more elements
An apparatus for generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- a particle accelerator (12) for generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- a target (14);
- means (24) for rotating said target (14) and
- means (12b) for directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold wherein said target comprises:
- a plurality of arcuate foil segments (14a) fixedly joined to a perimeter of a disk (22), and said rotating means (24) are joined to said disk (22) to rotate said disk and foil segment (14a) attached thereto;
- and
- means (30) for channeling a liquid to said disk perimeter to centrifugally form a liquid film on said foil segments for receiving said input beam.
4 more elements
An apparatus (10) for generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- a particle accelerator (12) for generating an input beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- a target (14);
- means (24) for rotating said target (14);
- means (12b) for directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold;
- wherein the target (14) further comprises a plurality of axially spaced apart targets (14) joined coaxially to said rotating means (24) for simultaneous rotation;
- and
- means (32) for reaccelerating said input beam (12a) between succeeding ones of said targets to about said initial energy level prior to undergoing said nuclear reactions therein.
4 more elements
An apparatus for generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- a particle accelerator (12) for generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- a target (14);
- means (24) for rotating said target (14);
- and
- means (12b) for directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold wherein:
- said input beam is a proton particle beam;
- said secondary nuclear particles are neutrons;
- said target is a lithium film less than about 2 microns thick;
- said threshold is about 1.88 MeV;
- said initial energy level is less than about 2.2 MeV;
- and
- said neutrons have an energy less than about 100 keV.
9 more elements
An apparatus for generating low energy nuclear particles comprising:
- a particle accelerator (12) for generating an input particle beam (12a) having an initial energy level above a threshold for generating said nuclear particles;
- a target (14);
- means (24) for rotating said target (14);
- and
- means (12b) for directing said input beam (12a) at said target (14) for undergoing nuclear reactions therein to generate secondary nuclear particles (16) and to correspondingly decrease energy of said input beam to about said threshold comprising:
- a neutron filter (42) interposed with said target (14) and having a step in scattering cross section at a step energy at below about 100 keV for respectively impeding and permitting neutron transmission therethrough at energies above and below said step energy.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.