Neutral particle beam sensing and steering

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:867954

Cobb, Donald D ^[1]; Robiscoe, Richard T ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

The direction of a neutral particle beam (NPB) is determined by detecting Ly.alpha. radiation emitted during motional quenching of excited H(2S) atoms in the beam during movement of the atoms through a magnetic field. At least one detector is placed adjacent the beam exit to define an optical axis that intercepts the beam at a viewing angle to include a volume generating a selected number of photons for detection. The detection system includes a lens having an area that is small relative to the NPB area and a pixel array located in the focal plane of the lens. The lens viewing angle and area pixel array are selected to optimize the beam tilt sensitivity. In one embodiment, two detectors are placed coplanar with the beam axis to generate a difference signal that is insensitive to beam variations other than beam tilt.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5043574
• OSTI ID: 867954
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

neutral
particle
beam
sensing
steering
direction
npb
determined
detecting
alpha
radiation
emitted
motional
quenching
excited
2s
atoms
movement
magnetic
field
detector
placed
adjacent
exit
define
optical
axis
intercepts
viewing
angle
volume
generating
selected
photons
detection
lens
relative
pixel
array
located
focal
plane
optimize
tilt
sensitivity
embodiment
detectors
coplanar
generate
difference
signal
insensitive
variations
difference signal
neutral particle
placed adjacent
beam exit
optical axis
particle beam
magnetic field
radiation emitted
focal plane
pixel array
beam axis
/250/