A MULTIPOLE MAGNET

Abstract

There is provided a multipole magnet for deflecting a beam of charged particles. The multipole magnet comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic poles and a plurality of permanent magnet assemblies to supply a magnetomotive force to the ferromagnetic poles. At least one of the permanent magnet assemblies has a plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions and a plurality of permanent magnets each fixed in one of the permanent magnet positions.

Claims

1. A multipole magnet for deflecting a beam of charged particles, the multipole magnet comprising: a plurality of ferromagnetic poles; and a plurality of permanent magnet assemblies to supply a magnetomotive force to the ferromagnetic poles, at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies having a plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions and a plurality of permanent magnets each fixed in one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions.

2. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions is greater in number than the plurality of permanent magnets fixed therein.

3. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions symmetrically about a centre of the at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies.

4. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions is a uniformly spaced array of discrete permanent magnet positions.

5. A multipole magnet according to claim 4, wherein the uniformly spaced array is a grid of n by m discrete permanent magnet positions

6. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets are spaced apart from one another.

7. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets are substantially the same in shape and/or size as one another.

8. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets is substantially cuboid.

9. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies comprises a framework of walls delimiting one or more of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions.

10. A multipole magnet according to claim 9, wherein one or more of the walls are formed of a non-magnetic material.

11. A multipole magnet according to claim 9, wherein the at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies comprises a base from which the framework of walls is upstanding.

12. A multipole magnet according to claim 11, wherein the base is formed of a paramagnetic material.

13. A multipole magnet according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets is bonded to the base.

14. A multipole magnet according to claim 9, wherein a gap extends between one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets and one or more of the walls delimiting a respective one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions.

15. A multipole magnet according to claim 11, wherein a gap extends between one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets and one or more of the walls delimiting a respective one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions and the gap is filled at least partially by an adhesive material bonded to the base and the respective one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets.

16. A multipole magnet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies comprises a plurality of open-ended enclosures each delimiting one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions.

17. A multipole magnet according to claim 11, wherein the at least one of the permanent magnet assemblies comprises a plurality of open-ended enclosures each delimiting one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet position and one or more of the plurality of open-ended enclosures are each provided by the framework of walls and the base.

18. A multipole magnet according to claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of open-ended enclosures are substantially the same in shape and/or size as one another.

19. A multipole magnet according to claim 16, wherein one or more of the plurality of open-ended enclosures is a continuous five-sided compartment.

20. A multipole magnet according to claim 16, wherein one or more of the plurality of open-ended enclosures is complementary in shape to one of the plurality of permanent magnets.

21. A method of manufacturing a multipole magnet for deflecting a beam of charged particles, the method comprising: providing at least one permanent magnet assembly having a plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions; fixing a plurality of permanent magnets in the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions; and arranging the at least one permanent magnet assembly to supply a magnetomotive force to a ferromagnetic pole of the multipole magnet.

22. A sub-assembly for a particle accelerator, the sub-assembly comprising: a plurality of multipole magnets according to claim 1 disposed along a beamline to deflect, focus or otherwise alter one or more characteristics of a beam of charged particles passing along the beamline, wherein the at least one permanent magnet assembly of a first multipole magnet of the plurality of multipole magnets has a configuration different to that of a second multipole magnet of the plurality multipole magnets.

23. A sub-assembly according to claim 22, wherein the configuration is different in that the least one permanent magnet assembly of the first multipole magnet has a different number of the plurality of permanent magnets to that of the second multipole magnet.

24. A sub-assembly according to claim 22, wherein the configuration is different in that the least one permanent magnet assembly of the first multipole magnet has one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets fixed in a different one or more of the plurality of permanent magnet positions to that of the second multipole magnet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1a is a schematic perspective view of a multipole magnet according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 1b is a further schematic perspective view of the multipole magnet of FIG. 1, showing only permanent magnets of the multipole magnet;

[0021] FIGS. 2a-f are schematic perspective views of configurations of permanent magnets according to multiple embodiments of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a permanent magnet assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0023] FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of a plurality of multipole magnets disposed along a beamline according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIGS. 1a-b show a quadrupole magnet 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The quadrupole magnet 10 has four ferromagnetic poles 12a-d arranged to provide a beamline space therebetween. In use, a beam of charged particles, such as electrons or positrons, passes through the beamline space. The quadrupole magnet 10 further comprises four permanent magnet assemblies 14a-d, each of the magnet assemblies 14a-d being associated with a respective one of the ferromagnetic poles 12a-d. Each of the permanent magnet assemblies 14a-d comprises a permanent magnet material to supply a magnetomotive force to the ferromagnetic poles 12a-d. The magnetomotive force produces a magnetic field that extends into the beamline space to deflect, focus or otherwise alter one or more characteristics of a beam of charged particles passing therethrough.

[0025] The quadrupole magnet 10 may comprise first and second magnet caps 16, 18, to which the magnet assemblies 14a-d may be attached. Specifically, two of the magnet assemblies 14a-d may be attached to the first magnet cap 16 and another two of the magnet assemblies 14a-d may be attached to the second magnet cap 18. In use, the magnet caps 16, 18 may be moveable relative to the ferromagnetic poles 12a-d to vary the distance between each of the magnet assemblies 14a-d and the associated respective ferromagnetic poles 12a-d, which consequently varies a magnetic flux across the beamline space. Therefore, a magnetic field strength within the beamline space may be variable by movement of the magnet caps 16, 18. As the skilled reader will appreciate, movement of the magnet caps 16, 18 may be symmetrical about the beamline space.

[0026] The magnet assemblies 14a-d may be structurally identical to one another (as best shown in FIG. 1b, in which the poles 12a-d and the magnet caps 16, 18 are hidden/not visible). Thus, as the skilled readerwill appreciate, features of the quadrupole magnet 10 described in relation to one of the magnet assemblies 14a-d may be equally applicable to any of the four magnet assemblies 14a-d. In the accompanying figures, like reference numerals are used for equivalent features, with letters a, b, c and d denoting the relevant one of the magnet assemblies 14a-d. In alternative embodiments, the magnet assemblies 14a-d may not all be structurally identical to one another. Indeed, in any general multipole magnet according to an embodiment of the invention, the magnet assemblies 14a-d may be different to one another.

[0027] The permanent magnet assembly 14a comprises a plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a and a plurality of permanent magnets 22a, the permanent magnets 22a providing the quadrupole magnet 10 with the permanent magnetic material. Each of the plurality of permanent magnets 22a is fixed in one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a. The term “discrete” is to be understood to mean individually separate and distinct. Accordingly, the magnet assembly 12a has a finite number of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a in which each of the plurality of permanent magnets 22a must be fixed. As such, each of the permanent magnets 22a cannot be placed in one of a substantially infinite number of positions, nor a position other than one of the discrete permanent magnet positions 20a.

[0028] In certain embodiments, such as that shown in FIGS. 1a-b, the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a and a plurality of permanent magnets 22a may be equal in number to one another, with one of the permanent magnets 22a fixed in a respective one of each of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a. The number of discrete magnet positions 20a is unchangeable for the magnet assembly 14a of a given embodiment. However, the number of permanent magnets 22a may be varied to adjust the strength of the quadrupole magnet 10. Accordingly, the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20amay be greater in number than the plurality of permanent magnets 22a fixed therein. The strength of the quadrupole magnet 10 may be reduced by selectively omitting one or more of the permanents magnets 22a from one or more of the respective permanent magnet positions 20a. In this regard, as the skilled reader will appreciate, many different configurations are possible.

[0029] FIGS. 2a-f show various, non-limiting configurations of the magnet assembly 14a according to embodiments of the invention, with successively illustrated embodiments having a greater number of the permanent magnets 22a omitted. A different configuration, including a different total number of the permanent magnets 22a and/or one or more of the plurality of permanent magnets 22a being fixed in a different one or more of the plurality of permanent magnet positions 20a, may be readily created to provide a quadrupole magnet 10 that exhibits a desired magnetic field strength, or a desired range of magnetic field strengths, for a given point along a beamline of a particle accelerator. This may provide a modular approach to manufacturing multipole magnets having different magnetic field strengths. As such, in a sub-assembly 100 of multiple quadrupole magnets 100, 200, the permanent magnet assembly 14a of a first quadruple magnet 110 may have a configuration different to the permanent magnet assembly 14a of a second quadruple magnet 210, as shown in FIG. 4 (in which a beamline along which the multiple quadrupole magnets 100, 200 are disposed is indicated by a dotted line). Except for the configuration of the magnet assembly 14a, a plurality of multiple magnets disposed along a beamline may be otherwise structurally identical to one another. Each of the permanent magnets 22a may be the same size and shape as one another, as this may further facilitate the modular approach. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the shape of the permanent magnets 22a may be cuboid.

[0030] As shown in each of the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a may be provided as a uniformly spaced or distributed array. Once again, this may further facilitate the modular approach. As such, the uniformly spaced array may be a grid of n by m discrete permanent magnet positions 20a. As shown in FIGS. 1a-b, the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a may be provided a uniformly spaced or distributed array of 10 by 3 permanent magnet positions 20a. However, there is no requirement that a grid of n by m discrete permanent magnet positions 20a must be uniform. In certain embodiments, there may be provided groups or sub-sets of the permanent magnet positions 20a, each of the groups comprising permanent magnet positions 20a of a different size and/shape than that of the others.

[0031] Each of the arranged magnets 22amay be arranged in any of the permanent magnet positions 20a. However, the permanent magnets 22a may be arranged in the permanent magnet positions 22asymmetrically about a centre of the permanent magnet assembly 14a. Indeed, for this reason, each of FIGS. 2a-f show only half of the magnet assembly 14a, hence the magnet assembly 14a appears as having 5 by 3 permanent magnet positions 20a, rather than 10 by 3 permanent magnet positions 20a shown in FIGS. 1a-b. Of course, in any general multipole magnet according to an embodiment of the invention, any number of permanent magnet positions 20a may be provided.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a may provide a separation between of each of the permanent magnets 22a. As such, each of the permanent magnets 22a may be spaced apart from one another. This may allow for each of the permanent magnets 22a to be fixed in the permanent magnet positions 20a without contacting one another, which may facilitate manufacture of the magnet assembly 14a. In certain embodiments, the separation may be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the magnet assembly 14a may comprise a framework of walls 24a delimiting the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a. The walls 24amay provide the separation between of each of the permanent magnets 22a. One or more of the walls 24a may extend partially or completely through the magnet assembly 14aand/or may form a boundary extending around the magnet assembly 14a. One or more of the walls 24a may intersect with one another, e.g. at right angles. The magnet assembly 14a may further comprise a base 26a. In certain embodiments, the framework of walls 24a may extend from the base 26a. The base 26a may be plate. Although, in certain embodiments, the base 26a may be provided by one of the magnet caps 16, 18. Moreover, at least an underside of each of the permanent magnets 22amay be bonded to the base 26a to fix each of the permanent magnets 22a in a respective one of the permanent magnet positions 20a. However, other means of fixing are contemplated, e.g. mechanical fasteners, screws and the like. Bonding, by way of an adhesive substance, may be relatively quicker and easier than other means.

[0034] A gap (not shown) may extend between each of the permanent magnets 22a and the walls delimiting a respective one of the plurality of discrete permanent magnet positions 20a. The adhesive substance used to bond the permanent magnets 22a to the base may at least partially fill the gap. As such, the adhesive substance bonding the permanent magnets 22a to be base 26a may be bonded to one or more sides of each of the permanent magnets 22a, as well as to the underside. This may facilitate maintaining the permanent magnets 22a in the permanent magnet positions 20a, particularly by resisting twisting and/or overturning movements of one or more of the permanent magnets 22a relative to the base 26a (which may arise from attractive forces between adjacent permanent magnets 22a).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the framework of walls 24a and the base 26a may provide a plurality of open-ended enclosures, which delimit each of the permanent magnet positions 20a. As such, each of the open-ended enclosures is a continuous five-sided compartment. In use, the each of the permanent magnets 22a is at least partially received within a respective one of the open-ended enclosures. In certain embodiments, the permanent magnet assembly 14a may comprise a plurality of open-ended enclosures delimiting the permanent magnet positions 20a that are formed by other means, e.g. a plurality of recesses may be provided in the magnet caps 16, 18.

[0036] Each of the open-ended enclosures may be substantially the same in shape and/or size as one another and/or or may be complementary in shape to each of the plurality of permanent magnets 22a. This may facilitate the modular approach and/or provide the gap with a constant width extending around a periphery of each of the permanent magnets 22a.

[0037] The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. For example, while the invention is described above in relation to a quadrupole magnet, the invention relates to multipole magnets having any number of poles. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, “ferromagnetic” is to be understood as synonymous with “magnetically soft” and “magnetically permeable” and to refer to reasonably high permeability of at least 10μ0, where 82 0 is the permeability of free space. For the invention, one suitable ferromagnetic material is steel. However, other suitable ferromagnetic materials may be used. Each of the magnets may be a neodymium (NdFeB) magnet. The frame work of walls 24a may be formed of a non-magnetic material, e.g. aluminium. The base may be formed of a paramagnetic material, e.g. carbon steel.

[0038] All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and figures) may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and figures), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0039] The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings). The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.