High energy crystal generators and their applications
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsSeth Putterman, James K. Gimzewski, Brian B. Naranjo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric crystals are used to generate spatially localized high energy (up to and exceeding 100 keV) electron and ion beams, which may be used in a wide variety of applications including pulsed neutron generation, therapeutic X-ray/electron devices, elemental analysis, local scanning chemical analysis, high energy scanning microscopy, point source compact transmission electron microscopy, compact ion beam sources, positron sources, micro-thrusters for ion engines, and improved fusion efficiency especially of the Farnsworth type. The high-energy emission can be created by simply heating the material or by application of external coercive electromagnetic and acoustic fields.
Claims23
A crystal generator for producing a beam of ions or electrons, said crystal generator comprising:
- A) a ferroelectric, pyroelectric or piezoelectric crystal having a beam generating surface;
- B) an electrode attached to said crystal at said beam generating surface, said electrode comprising a beam directing tip that extends away from said electrode and said beam generating surface;
- and
- C) a temperature control element, said temperature control element being capable of changing the temperature of said ferroelectric crystal whereby a beam of ions or electrons is emitted from said beam directing tip.
A system comprising:
- A) a crystal generator for producing a beam of ions or electrons, said crystal generator comprising:
- a) a ferroelectric, pyroelectric or piezoelectric crystal having a beam generating surface;
- b) an electrode attached to said crystal at said beam generating surface, said electrode comprising a beam directing tip that extends away from said electrode and said beam generating surface;
- b) a temperature control element, said temperature control element being capable of changing the temperature of said crystal whereby a beam of ions or electrons is emitted from said beam directing tip;
- and
- B) a target at which said beam of ions or electrons is directed.
A method for directing a beam of energy onto a target, said method comprising the steps of:
- A) providing a crystal generator for producing a beam of ions or electrons, said crystal generator comprising:
- a) a ferroelectric, pyroelectric or piezoelectric crystal having a beam generating surface;
- b) an electrode attached to said ferroelectric crystal at said beam generating surface, said electrode comprising a beam directing tip that extends away from said electrode and said beam generating surface;
- b) a temperature control element, said temperature control element being capable of changing the temperature of said crystal whereby a beam of ions or electrons is emitted from said beam directing tip;
- B) providing a target at which said beam of ions or electrons is directed;
- C) operating said temperature control element to change the temperature of said crystal to provide said beam of ions or electrons;
- and
- D) directing said beam of ions or electrons at said target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.