X-ray radiation sources with low neutron emissions for radiation scanning
AssigneeVarian Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorJames E. Clayton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a radiation source in one example comprises selecting at least one of a target, a collimator, or target shielding consisting essentially of at least one isotope having a neutron production threshold greater than a peak acceleration energy of the source, and assembling the source including the selected material. A simulation may be used to assist in design a radiation source meeting neutron production requirements and optionally other requirements.
Claims23
A method of manufacturing a low neutron emitting radiation source, the method comprising
- selecting a peak acceleration energy for a radiation source;
- selecting at least one of a target, a collimator, or target shielding consisting essentially of at least one isotope having a neutron production threshold greater than the peak acceleration energy of the source;
- and
- assembling the source including the selected isotope.
A method of manufacturing a low neutron emitting radiation source, the method comprising;
- selecting a peak acceleration of less than about 9.910 MeV for a radiation source;
- defining neutron production requirements for the radiation source;
- preparing a preliminary design for the radiation source, the preliminary design being based, at least in part, on the selected peak acceleration energy requirement and the defined neutron production requirement, the preliminary design comprising a target consisting essentially of at least one isotope having a peak acceleration energy greater than the selected peak acceleration energy, so that the target will not generate neutrons;
- inputting the preliminary design into a simulation to predict neutron production;
- receiving an output of the simulation, including predicted neutron production;
- and
- if the neutron production requirements are met, assembling the source based on the preliminary design.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.