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US 9,883,577 B2Granted
Belt-shaped neutron source
AssigneeNeutron Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsSteven P. Konish, Theodore H. Smick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuous, thin layer of neutron source material, for example solid lithium, is formed into a belt. The belt is continuously advanced in front of a proton source to generate neutrons from the lithium target. Additionally, the belt is continuously cooled, as it passes through a gas cooling section. Through the continuous motion and cooling of the lithium target, the belt can provide an effective neutron source without melting the target neutron source material.
Claims20
A neutron generation method comprising:
- generating a proton beam;
- advancing a belt-shaped neutron source in a path of the proton beam to generate a flux of neutrons;
- focusing the flux of neutrons with a beam-shaping assembly;
- and
- cooling the belt-shaped neutron source by passing the belt-shaped neutron source through a cooling section.
2 more elements
A neutron generation system comprising:
- a proton beam generator for generating a proton beam;
- a belt-shaped neutron source configured to travel through the proton beam to generate a flux of neutrons;
- a beam-shaping assembly configured to focus the flux of neutrons;
- and
- a cooling section disposed on a path of the belt-shaped neutron source.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.