Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.

Apparatuses and methods for producing neutrons for applications such as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) are described. An apparatus can include a rotary fixture with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, and a plurality of neutron-producing segments. Each neutron-producing segment of the plurality of neutron-producing segments is removably coupled to the rotary fixture, and includes a substrate having a coolant channel circuit defined therein and a solid neutron source layer disposed thereon. The coolant channel circuits are in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet.

Apparatuses and methods for producing neutrons for applications such as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) are described. An apparatus can include a rotary fixture with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, and a plurality of neutron-producing segments. Each neutron-producing segment of the plurality of neutron-producing segments is removably coupled to the rotary fixture, and includes a substrate having a coolant channel circuit defined therein and a solid neutron source layer disposed thereon. The coolant channel circuits are in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet.

A target structure includes a target and a cooling portion. The target generates neutrons by being irradiated with a charged particle beam. The cooling portion includes a front surface and a back surface that face to sides opposite to each other. The target is joined directly or indirectly to the front surface. A flow path for flowing of cooling liquid including hydrogen elements is formed in the cooling portion. When viewed in a thickness direction of the cooling portion from the front surface to the back surface, the flow path is positioned off a center portion of the target.

A target structure includes a target and a cooling portion. The target generates neutrons by being irradiated with a charged particle beam. The cooling portion includes a front surface and a back surface that face to sides opposite to each other. The target is joined directly or indirectly to the front surface. A flow path for flowing of cooling liquid including hydrogen elements is formed in the cooling portion. When viewed in a thickness direction of the cooling portion from the front surface to the back surface, the flow path is positioned off a center portion of the target.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to fast beam position monitoring for detecting beam misalignment in a beam line. In an example, a fast beam position monitor includes a plurality of electrodes extending into an interior of a component of a beam line. The fast beam position monitor is configured to detect a position of a beam passing through the component of the beam line based on beam halo current. Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods further relate to noninvasively monitoring parameters of beams advancing along a beam line. In examples, gas is puffed into a pumping chamber along a beam line. One or more beam parameters are measured from fluorescence resulting from collisions of energetic beam particulates of a beam advancing through the beam line.

A neutron porosity tool having an electronic neutron generator arrangement and a control mechanism used to provide voltage and pulses to an electronic neutron tube is provided, the neutron generator arrangement including: at least one vacuum tube; at least one ion target; at least one radio-frequency cavity; at least one high-voltage generator; at least two neutron detectors; at least one pulser circuit; and at least one control circuit. A method of controlling a neutron porosity tool having an electronic neutron generator arrangement and a control mechanism that provides voltage and pulses to an electronic neutron tube, the method including at least: controlling a bipolar neutron tube to produce two distinct neutron reactions; using a control circuit to modify the output of a pulser circuit; and using a plurality of neutron detectors to determine formation response offsets.

A neutron porosity tool having an electronic neutron generator arrangement and a control mechanism used to provide voltage and pulses to an electronic neutron tube is provided, the neutron generator arrangement including: at least one vacuum tube; at least one ion target; at least one radio-frequency cavity; at least one high-voltage generator; at least two neutron detectors; at least one pulser circuit; and at least one control circuit. A method of controlling a neutron porosity tool having an electronic neutron generator arrangement and a control mechanism that provides voltage and pulses to an electronic neutron tube, the method including at least: controlling a bipolar neutron tube to produce two distinct neutron reactions; using a control circuit to modify the output of a pulser circuit; and using a plurality of neutron detectors to determine formation response offsets.

Provided herein are systems, devices, articles of manufacture, and methods for generating neutrons employing a high energy ion beam target (HEM target) and a target backing configured to be in contact with the bottom surface of the HEIB target (e.g., to generate an ion beam target assembly). In certain embodiments, the HEM target has a thickness that is less than the penetration depth of protons or deuterons in the high energy ion beam that strikes the target. In certain embodiments, the target backing comprises a high hydrogen diffusion metal (e.g., palladium), has open spaces dispersed throughout for reduced proton diffusion distances, and has a shape and thickness such that all, or virtually all, of the protons or deuterons that pass through the HEIB target are stopped. Also provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for changing targets in an ion beam accelerator system.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relating to a beam system. An example beam system includes a charged particle source configured to generate a beam of charged particles, a pre-accelerator system configured to accelerate the beam, and an accelerator configured to accelerate the beam from the pre-accelerator system. The pre-accelerator system can cause the beam to converge as it is propagated from the source to an input aperture of the accelerator. The pre-accelerator system can further reduce or eliminate source disturbance or damage caused by backflow traveling from the accelerator toward the source.