Chopper for a Particle Beam

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This invention describes a new type of particle beam chopper featuring a ring-shaped (annular) guiding element and a control element that moves along the circumference of the guiding element. Unlike traditional chopper wheels mounted along a central axis, this design allows mounting along the circumference, eliminating the need for a central axis and enabling much greater stability, reduced weight, and higher rotation speeds. The control element can have reflective or absorbent areas for beam modulation and can incorporate magnetic bearings and magnetic drive for high-precision, contactless operation.

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• Particle beam modulation in scientific experiments (e.g., neutron, electron, or ion beams)
• Time-resolved measurements in nuclear physics or materials science
• Integration in advanced particle accelerators and synchrotron facilities
• High-frequency beam pulsing for spectroscopy, imaging, or scattering experiments
• Applications where high vacuum, reduced mechanical wear, or increased operational reliability are paramount
• Adaptation in turbomolecular pumps or turbochargers for improved bearing design (as suggested in the description)

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables higher modulation frequencies for particle beams compared to traditional chopper wheels
• Reduced weight, leading to greater circumferential speeds and improved operational reliability
• Minimizes unwanted vibrations and resonance issues that cause mechanical instability in conventional designs
• The absence of a central axis allows more flexible designs and retrofitting of existing chopper systems
• Distributes mechanical forces more evenly, reducing wear and risk of component failure
• Magnetic bearing and drive options provide ultra-high-vacuum compatibility, wear-free operation, and precision control
• Improved safety due to lower mass and containment advantages—less risk from debris in case of failure
• Reduces the volume that needs to be held in vacuum, saving on pump power and operational costs

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a chopper for a particle beam, comprising an annular guiding element (11) and a control element (13) for the intensity of the particle beam. According to the invention, the control element is mounted up against the guiding element in such a way that at least one contact point on the control element can run around the circumference of the guiding element. Mounting along a circumference makes it possible with the same bearing force to compensate for much greater disturbing torques than mounting at the axis of rotation. It also makes it possible to dispense entirely with the axis of rotation, and so the control element can for example be formed as a ring. In comparison with prior-art chopper wheels, this brings about a considerable weight saving, which results in greater circumferential speeds being possible, and consequently greater modulation frequencies for the particle beam being possible, with at the same time increased operational reliability.