Electromagnets for and method of deflecting and splitting a particle beam

An electromagnet for deflecting a particle beam, comprising:

• first, second, and third coils;
• a septum electromagnet having first and second ends;
• a septum conductor positioned to divide the septum electromagnet into first and second beam deflecting magnetic pole spaces, the first beam deflecting magnetic pole space associated with the first coil and the second beam deflecting magnetic pole space associated with the second coil;
• the first coil, when conducting an electric current, generating a first magnetic field having a first field direction in the first beam deflecting magnetic pole space, and the second coil, when conducting an electric current, generating a second magnetic field having a second field direction in the second beam deflecting magnetic pole space, the first and second field directions being opposite to each other;
• the first magnetic field having a first magnetic field strength and operating to angularly deflect in a first deflection direction a first particle beam traveling through the first beam deflecting magnetic pole space, and the second magnetic field having a second magnetic field strength and operating to angularly deflect in a second deflection direction a second particle beam traveling through the second beam deflecting magnetic pole space, the first and second deflection directions being opposite to each other;
• an auxiliary electromagnet positioned proximal to an end of the septum electromagnet and associated with the third coil;
• and
• the third coil, when conducting an electric current, generating a third magnetic field having a third field direction and a third magnetic field strength in an area adjacent to the auxiliary electromagnet to angularly deflect in the first deflection direction a particle beam travelling through the electromagnet.

A method for deflecting a particle beam, comprising:

• providing a septum electromagnet;
• positioning a septum conductor to divide the septum electromagnet into first and second beam deflecting magnetic pole spaces;
• applying first and second electric currents to respective first and second coils, the first and second coils generating a first magnetic field having a first field direction and strength and a second magnetic field having a second field direction and strength that is opposite the first field direction in respective first and second beam deflecting magnetic pole spaces;
• and
• passing a first particle beam through the first beam deflecting magnetic pole space, and passing a second particle beam through the second beam deflecting magnetic pole space, the first particle beam being deflected by a first predetermined angle and the second particle beam being deflected by a second predetermined angle that is opposite of the first predetermined angle.