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US 8,264,173 B2Granted
Methods and systems for accelerating particles using induction to generate an electric field with a localized curl
AssigneePassport Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Bertozzi, Stephen E. Korbly, Robert J. Ledoux
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is described wherein the acceleration of a beam of charged particles is achieved using the properties of conductors to limit the penetration of magnetic and electric fields in short times compared to natural time constants. This allows the use of induction electric fields with a Curl localized to a gap to accelerate particles while coupling the accelerated beam to a power supply. Two methods of coupling the particle beam to the power supply are disclosed as exemplary.
Claims13
A system for accelerating charged particles, comprising:
- a) an induction core;
- b) a vacuum chamber enclosing an evacuated region;
- c) a power supply with associated electrical leads;
- and
- d) at least one magnet disposed to generate a magnetic guide field;
- wherein the induction core forms a complete magnetic circuit;
- wherein the vacuum chamber encircles a portion of the induction core;
- wherein the vacuum chamber comprises an electrically conductive portion and a non-conductive gap;
- wherein the at least one magnet is disposed to generate a magnetic guide field suitable to guide charged particles in stable orbits around paths inside the evacuated region enclosed by the vacuum chamber;
- and
- wherein the power supply and associated electrical leads are disposed to provide a voltage across the non-conductive gap of the vacuum chamber.
8 more elements
A method of accelerating charged particles, comprising
- a) providing
- i) an induction core;
- ii) a vacuum chamber enclosing an evacuated region;
- iii) a power supply with associated electrical leads;
- and
- iv) at least one magnet disposed to generate a magnetic guide field;
- wherein the induction core forms a complete magnetic circuit;
- wherein the vacuum chamber encircles a portion of the induction core;
- wherein the vacuum chamber comprises an electrically conductive portion and a non-conductive gap;
- wherein the at least one magnet is disposed to generate a magnetic guide field suitable to guide charged particles in stable orbits around paths inside the evacuated region enclosed by the vacuum chamber;
- and
- wherein the power supply and associated electrical leads are disposed to provide a predetermined voltage across the non-conductive gap of the vacuum chamber;
- b) generating a magnetic field in the induction core;
- c) generating the magnetic guide field suitable to guide charged particles in stable orbits around paths inside the evacuated region enclosed by the vacuum chamber;
- d) applying the predetermined voltage across the non-conductive gap by means of the power supply and associated leads;
- e) injecting a beam of charged particles into the evacuated region enclosed by the vacuum chamber;
- and
- f) permitting the charged particles to circulate in stable orbits around paths inside the evacuated region guided by the magnetic guide field and accelerated by an electrical field induced across the non-conductive gap by the predetermined voltage.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.