Band-shaped Chopper for a Particle Beam

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a band-shaped chopper device for modulating particle beams, particularly neutron beams. The chopper consists of a flexible band with areas of varying transparency to particles, which is moved transversely through the beam path by a remote drive mechanism. This flexible band replaces conventional wheel or ring choppers, offering a more compact design and allows spatial separation of the drive mechanism from the beam, enabling better protection and flexible operation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Neutron beam pulse modulation at research reactors, spallation sources, and scientific instruments.
• Time-structuring of particle beams in physics experiments, especially where space is limited near the beam source.
• Industrial applications requiring precise pulsing or gating of particle or radiation beams.
• Medical or imaging systems that employ modulated particle or neutron beams for diagnostics or therapy procedures.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduced space requirements compared to traditional wheel-shaped choppers, enabling installation close to beam sources where space is limited.
• Independent adjustment of pulse duration and repetition rate for optimized beam modulation, increasing experimental flexibility.
• Remote placement of bulky drive motors, protecting sensitive electronic parts from radiation damage and improving longevity and reliability.
• Lower moving mass compared to solid choppers, allowing faster acceleration/deceleration and potentially higher modulation frequencies.
• Ease of maintenance and replacement due to the lightweight, band-based design.
• Reduced mechanical stress and damping of vibrations for smoother operation.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a band-shaped chopper for a particle beam (2). Said chopper comprises at least one control element (2), which is divided into at least two regions A and B, wherein region B has a lower transparency for the particle beam than region A, and at least one drive source ((3), (4)) for conveying the control element through the particle beam in such a manner that the particle beam is incident on the regions A and B alternately in time. According to the invention the control element is designed in the shape of a band and lies in frictional engagement against the outer circumference of at least one element that can be caused to rotate by the drive source. According to the invention designing the control element as a band-shaped element enables a considerably more compact configuration of the chopper than wheel-shaped or annular choppers according to the prior art to date. In particular, the drive source, which is bulky compared with the control element, can be arranged spatially separate from the beam path, owing to the fact that the band itself transmits the force of the drive source.