Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

An over-voltage protection system for an accelerator can include: a plurality of DC power supplies configured to provide a plurality of voltage levels up to a desired voltage level; and an acceleration tube electrically connected to the plurality of DC power supplies and configured to accelerate a charged particle. The acceleration tube can include a plurality of stages. Each stage can include a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of varistors configured to discharge energy in response to an overvoltage event. One electrode of the plurality of electrodes can be electrically coupled to a voltage level of the plurality of voltage levels. The plurality of electrodes and the plurality of varistors can be electrically coupled to each other and arranged in an alternating fashion.

An over-voltage protection system for an accelerator can include: a plurality of DC power supplies configured to provide a plurality of voltage levels up to a desired voltage level; and an acceleration tube electrically connected to the plurality of DC power supplies and configured to accelerate a charged particle. The acceleration tube can include a plurality of stages. Each stage can include a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of varistors configured to discharge energy in response to an overvoltage event. One electrode of the plurality of electrodes can be electrically coupled to a voltage level of the plurality of voltage levels. The plurality of electrodes and the plurality of varistors can be electrically coupled to each other and arranged in an alternating fashion.

A high-voltage electrostatic generator has an assembly of concentric electrically conductive half-shells separated by an equatorial gap, essentially with cylindrical symmetry about an axis. Adjacent to the equatorial gap, edge regions of at least a selected subset of the half-shells are shaped.

A high-voltage electrostatic generator has an assembly of concentric electrically conductive half-shells separated by an equatorial gap, essentially with cylindrical symmetry about an axis. Adjacent to the equatorial gap, edge regions of at least a selected subset of the half-shells are shaped.

Methods and apparatus for converting kinetic energy of an energetic particle into electrical energy and for accelerating charged particles. A stack of substantially parallel conductors separated by gaps is disposed such that the conductors are substantially parallel to the surface of a cathode, with the conductors mutually electrically uncoupled. An anode is disposed at an end of the stack of conductors distal to the cathode, and a power management system applies a bias voltage between the cathode and the anode and collects charge deposited at the anode in the form of current in an external electrical circuit.

Methods and apparatus for converting kinetic energy of an energetic particle into electrical energy and for accelerating charged particles. A stack of substantially parallel conductors separated by gaps is disposed such that the conductors are substantially parallel to the surface of a cathode, with the conductors mutually electrically uncoupled. An anode is disposed at an end of the stack of conductors distal to the cathode, and a power management system applies a bias voltage between the cathode and the anode and collects charge deposited at the anode in the form of current in an external electrical circuit.

Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.