JP2003130998A - Method and device for gamma ray generation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently generate gamma ray an easily control the generation and termination of gamma ray and generation rate. SOLUTION: An air-tight vessel 4 containing molten material 1 of alloy or mixture of boron and a metal having catalytic function of fusion reaction and sealed with hydrogen gas 6 in the space, electrodes 2 arranged in the space of the air-tight vessel 4, a power source 5 for impressing a voltage between the electrodes 2 and the molten material 1 of the alloy or mixture of boron and metal having catalytic function of fusion reaction are provided. Hydrogen ion beam produced by discharge generated between the molten material 1 of the alloy or mixture of boron and metal is irradiated on the surface of the molten material 1 of the alloy or mixture of boron and metal having catalytic function of fusion reaction to generate gamma ray by non-thermonuclear fusion reaction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gamma ray generation method and device (gamma ray generation) used in various fields such as non-destructive inspection of various substances and products utilizing high transmittance of gamma rays and gamma camera for medical use. Source).

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are three types of gamma ray sources currently in use: nuclear reactors, accelerator utilization, and gamma ray emitting nuclides.

The first nuclear reactor utilizes gamma rays generated by nuclear fission in the nuclear reactor, and the second accelerator utilization causes a charged particle beam accelerated by the accelerator to collide with a target to emit gamma rays. It is what is generated. The last gamma-ray emitting nuclide utilizes gamma rays emitted from nuclides such as Co-60, which emits gamma rays during the decay process.

[0004]

The problem with the conventional gamma ray source is that it is large in the case of a nuclear reactor and its utilization is largely restricted. When using an accelerator, a large accelerator is required and it is not easy to use. The third gamma-ray emitting nuclide is small and easy to handle when it is used as a mobile radiation source, but it has a drawback that the purpose of use is limited due to problems such as low usable gamma-ray intensity and radiation exposure of the person who handles it. .

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gamma ray generating method and apparatus which are less restricted in use and easy to handle.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention utilizes a non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of the following formula (1) which occurs in a boron mixture in molten lithium as a gamma ray generation process.

[0007] By irradiating the ^{11 B + 1 H → 12 C} + γ (1) a hydrogen ion beam, gamma rays are emitted.

The formula (1) is obtained by a non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of one atom of the isotope of boron (boron) ¹¹ B on the left side with one atom of hydrogen H, and the carbon atom ( ¹² C) on the right side and γ-rays. Is generated.

Since this reaction is immediately terminated when the irradiation of the hydrogen ion beam is stopped, it is possible to easily control the generation of gamma rays, and since no radiation is emitted when it is not used, there are few restrictions on use and it is easy to handle. It is possible to provide a gamma ray source.

In the invention corresponding to claim 1, a non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced by irradiating the surface of a melt of an alloy or a mixture with boron and a metal having a catalytic action for the nuclear fusion reaction with a hydrogen ion beam. . At that time, gamma rays are generated according to the equation (1), and this is used as a gamma ray source.

In the invention corresponding to claim 2, in the gamma ray generating method of the invention according to claim 1, since the gamma dose generated changes according to the irradiation amount of the hydrogen ion beam to be irradiated, irradiation is performed in a unit time. The amount of gamma ray beam generated can be controlled by adjusting the amount of hydrogen ion beam.

In the invention according to claim 3, in the gamma ray generating method of the invention according to claim 1, the distribution of the gamma dose generated also changes according to the spatial distribution of the irradiation amount of the hydrogen ion beam for irradiation. By controlling the distribution of the irradiation hydrogen ion beam as necessary, it is possible to control the generation amount distribution of the generated gamma ray beam.

The invention corresponding to claim 4 is a closed container in which a melt of an alloy or a mixture of boron and a metal having a catalytic action for a nuclear fusion reaction is contained, and a hydrogen gas is sealed in a space, An electrode disposed in the space of the closed container, and a power source for applying a voltage between the electrode and an alloy or a melt of the boron and a metal having a catalytic action of a fusion reaction, or a molten material, A hydrogen ion beam generated by an electric discharge generated between the electrode and an alloy or a mixed melt of the boron and the metal catalyzing the fusion reaction is used to generate a hydrogen ion beam and the metal catalyzing the fusion reaction. Gamma rays are generated by a non-thermonuclear fusion reaction by irradiating the surface of an alloy or a mixed melt with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gamma ray generator according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the power source is a variable power source. Control the intensity of the gamma rays generated by adjusting the amount.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gamma ray generator according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen gas supply means for supplying hydrogen gas is provided in the closed container, and the hydrogen gas supply means supplies the hydrogen gas. By adjusting the hydrogen gas pressure, the spatial distribution of the density of the irradiated hydrogen ion beam is adjusted to control the gamma ray emission distribution.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an airtight container in which the boron mixed melt 1 is housed, a pair of electrodes 2 is arranged in a space above the liquid surface, and hydrogen gas 6 is enclosed.

A power source 5 provided outside the container and a switch 12 for turning the power source 5 on and off are connected between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1. In the figure, the arrow 7 indicates the flow of hydrogen ions, and the arrow 3 indicates the flow of generated gamma rays.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, when the switch 12 is closed,
A voltage generated by a power source 5 is applied between the boron mixed melt 1 in the closed container 4 and the electrode 2 arranged above it.
Discharge occurs in the hydrogen gas 6 sealed in the closed container 4. At this time, a part or most of the hydrogen gas 6 is ionized by the discharge to become hydrogen ions.

Hydrogen ions are accelerated by the electric field between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1 and the hydrogen ions flow 7
To form. This hydrogen ion flow 7 reaches the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 and induces the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of the equation (1). Gamma rays γ generated by this reaction are emitted upward to form a stream 3 of generated gamma rays.

At this time, if the switch 12 is opened, the discharge is stopped and the flow 7 of hydrogen ions disappears. Therefore, the flow 3 of generated gamma rays also disappears, and the generation of gamma rays can be easily controlled.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the gamma ray generator according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an airtight container in which the boron mixed melt 1 is housed, a pair of electrodes 2 is arranged in a space above the liquid surface, and hydrogen gas 6 is enclosed.

A variable power source 8 provided outside the container is connected between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1, and the variable power source 8 can energize so that the voltage or current can be freely changed. In the figure, the arrow 7 indicates the flow of hydrogen ions, and the arrow 3 indicates the flow of generated gamma rays.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 2, a variable power source 8 is provided between the boron mixed melt 1 in the closed container 4 and the electrode 2 arranged above it.
When a higher voltage is applied, a discharge is generated in the hydrogen gas 6 sealed in the closed container 4, and part or most of the hydrogen gas 6 is ionized by this discharge to become hydrogen ions.

The hydrogen ions are accelerated by the electric field between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1 and the hydrogen ions flow 7
To form. This hydrogen ion flow 7 reaches the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 and induces the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of the equation (1). Gamma rays γ generated by this reaction are emitted upward to form a stream 3 of generated gamma rays.

At this time, when the voltage or current of the variable power source 8 is changed, the discharge current is changed, and the amount of the hydrogen ion flow 7 to the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 can be adjusted.

As can be seen from the formula (1), one atom of ¹¹ B reacts with one hydrogen atom in a non-thermonuclear fusion reaction, and a carbon atom ( ¹² C)
And gamma ray γ are generated, the amount of gamma ray flow 3, that is, the amount of gamma ray generated can be controlled in proportion to the flow of hydrogen ions.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the optimum gamma ray generation amount according to the purpose, and to obtain the gamma ray source which is easy to handle and has few restrictions in use.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the gamma ray generator according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an airtight container in which the boron mixed melt 1 is housed, a pair of electrodes 2 is arranged in a space above the liquid surface, and hydrogen gas 6 is enclosed.

Between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1,
A power source 5 provided outside the container is connected.

A hydrogen gas supply port 10 is provided in a part of the closed container 4, and a hydrogen gas cylinder 11 is connected to the hydrogen gas supply port 10 through a hydrogen gas pressure adjusting valve 9. The hydrogen gas pressure adjusting valve 9 is a closed container 4
The pressure of the hydrogen gas inside is adjusted. In the figure, the arrow 7 indicates the flow of hydrogen ions, and the arrow 3 indicates the flow of generated gamma rays.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, when a voltage generated by a power supply 8 is applied between the boron mixed melt 1 in the closed container 4 and the electrode 2 arranged above it, the hydrogen gas sealed in the closed container 4 is applied. Discharge occurs in 6. At this time, a part or most of the hydrogen gas 6 is ionized by the discharge to become hydrogen ions.

The hydrogen ions are accelerated by the electric field between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1 to form a hydrogen ion stream 7. This hydrogen ion flow 7 reaches the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 and induces the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of the equation (1). Gamma rays γ generated by this reaction are emitted upward to form a stream 3 of generated gamma rays.

At this time, if the hydrogen gas pressure adjusting valve 9 is adjusted, the hydrogen gas pressure in the closed container 4 changes. When the hydrogen gas pressure in the closed container 4 changes, the discharge state between the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt 1 changes, the density (amount) of hydrogen ions generated changes, and the electrode 2 and the boron mixed melt change. 1
Since the amount of hydrogen ion flow 7 formed between and changes with the change of hydrogen gas pressure, the collision frequency of hydrogen gas in the flow of hydrogen ions also changes. The discharge state changes.

In this case, the amount of reaction generated in the equation (1) increases exponentially with the energy of hydrogen ions.
It is disclosed in the following prior application.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-001056 “Molten Lithium Fusion Reaction Generating Method and Fusion Energy Supply Device”, Japanese Patent Application No. 20
01-177670 "Fusion power generation method and fusion power generation device",
Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-216026 "Non-thermo-nuclear fusion power generation method and non-thermo-nuclear fusion power generation device" These are the reactions between hydrogen ions reaching the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 and boron atoms (1).
The amount of reaction of the formula changes, and the amount of gamma ray generation can be controlled.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the gamma ray generator according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an airtight container in which the boron mixed melt 1 is housed, a pair of variable electrodes 13 is arranged in a space above the liquid surface, and hydrogen gas 6 is enclosed.

A power source 5 provided outside the container is connected between the movable electrode 13 and the boron mixed melt 1. In the figure, the arrow 7 indicates the flow of hydrogen ions, and the arrow 3 indicates the flow of generated gamma rays.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 4, when the voltage generated by the power supply 5 is applied between the boron mixed melt 1 in the closed container 4 and the movable electrode 13 arranged above it, the hydrogen sealed in the closed container 4 is applied. A discharge is generated in the gas 6. At this time, a part or most of the hydrogen gas 6 is ionized by the discharge to become hydrogen ions.

The hydrogen ions are accelerated by the electric field between the movable electrode 13 and the boron mixed melt 1 to form a hydrogen ion stream 7. This hydrogen ion flow 7 reaches the surface of the boron mixed melt 1 and induces the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction of the equation (1). Gamma rays γ generated by this reaction are emitted upward to form a stream 3 of generated gamma rays.

At this time, when the movable electrode is moved, the movable electrode 13
The electric field between the boron melt 1 and the boron mixed melt 1 changes, and the distribution of the hydrogen ion flow 7 changes. This hydrogen ion flow 7
Since the distribution of hydrogen ions reaching the surface of the boron-mixed melt 1 will change when the distribution of is changed, it is a reaction between hydrogen ions reaching the surface of the boron-mixed melt 1 and boron atoms. The distribution of the amount of generated reaction changes, which changes the distribution of the amount of generated gamma rays. This property can also be used to control the distribution of gamma ray flow.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the optimum distribution of the gamma ray generation amount according to the purpose, and the gamma ray source which is easy to handle with few restrictions in use.

Since the gamma rays obtained from the gamma ray source described in each of the above-described embodiments have high permeability to substances,
It can be applied to the inspection of internal defects of thick large structures and the diagnosis of diseases of large animals. It can also be applied medically to the treatment of cancer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an application example of the gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 denotes a cylindrical reaction container capable of being evacuated, and this reaction container 21 is provided with an insulating ring 22 at an appropriate position in the longitudinal direction. An anode 23 is provided on the upper peripheral surface of the reaction vessel 22, a boron mixed liquid lithium 24 is contained in the lower portion, and a cathode 2 having the peripheral surface impregnated with the boron mixed liquid lithium is provided.
5 is provided, and hydrogen gas is sealed in the container.

The cathode 25 is brought into contact with the boron-mixed liquid lithium 24 at the bottom of the reaction vessel 21, and is made of a material that allows the liquid lithium to soak into the cathode due to a capillary phenomenon.

Further, a pulse power supply device 26 is connected between the cathode 25 and the anode 23, and a hydrogen injection device 27 and a helium recovery device 28 generated by nuclear fusion of lithium are connected to the upper part of the reaction vessel 21, Further, a lithium measurement purification system 29 is connected to the bottom of the reaction vessel 21.

Further, the heat exchange system 30 and the heat utilization system 31 utilizing the heat energy obtained from the heat exchange system 30 can be supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the reaction vessel 21.

On the other hand, the reaction container 21 is covered with a heat insulating material 33 corresponding to the fusion reaction portion below the insulating ring, and the entire peripheral portion of the reaction vessel 21 except for a part on the bottom side of the vessel is a gamma ray shielding material. It is covered with 32.

Therefore, in the gamma ray generator having such a structure, a nuclear fusion reaction occurs by performing pulse discharge with the pulse power supply device 26 in a state where hydrogen gas is filled in the reaction vessel 21 from the hydrogen injection device 27. , Gamma rays generated by this reaction are emitted from the bottom of the container.

Helium generated as a result of the nuclear fusion reaction is removed from the system by the helium recovery device 28.

Further, the energy obtained by the nuclear fusion reaction can be easily extracted by the heat exchange system 30 and the heat utilization system 31.

At this time, the state of lithium is monitored by the lithium measurement purification system 29, and long-term operation can be stably performed.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently generate gamma rays, easily control the generation / stoppage of gamma rays, and the amount of generation thereof. And a device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an application example of a gamma ray generator according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Boron mixed melt 2: Electrode 3: Flow of generated gamma rays 4: Airtight container 5: Power supply 6: Hydrogen gas 7: Hydrogen ion flow (hydrogen ion beam) 8: Variable power supply 9: Valve for adjusting hydrogen gas pressure 10: Hydrogen supply port 11: Hydrogen gas cylinder 12: Switch 13: movable electrode 21: Reaction vessel 22: Insulation ring 23: Anode 24: Boron mixed liquid lithium 25: Cathode 26: Pulse power supply device 27: Hydrogen injection device 28: Helium recovery device 29: Lithium measurement purification system 30: Heat exchange system 31: Heat utilization system 32: Gamma ray shielding material 33: Heat insulating material

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshio Araki             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office (72) Inventor Hironobu Kimura             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced by irradiating the surface of a molten body of an alloy or a mixture with a metal having a catalytic action of boron and a nuclear fusion reaction with a hydrogen ion beam, and gamma rays generated at that time are generated. A gamma ray generation method characterized by being made available. 2. The gamma ray generating method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the gamma ray generated is controlled by adjusting the amount of the hydrogen ion beam applied per unit time. 3. The gamma ray generating method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation density distribution of the gamma rays generated by controlling the spatial density distribution of the hydrogen ion beam to be irradiated is controlled. 4. A closed container containing a melt of an alloy or a mixture of boron and a metal having a catalytic action for a nuclear fusion reaction, and a space filled with hydrogen gas, and the space of the closed container. An electrode disposed between the electrode and a power source for applying a voltage between the electrode and a melt of an alloy or a mixture of the boron and a metal having a catalytic action for a fusion reaction, and the electrode, the boron and the nucleus Fusion of an alloy or a mixture of a metal with a metal catalyzing a fusion reaction or a hydrogen ion beam generated by an electric discharge generated by a discharge generated between the metal and an alloy or a mixture of a metal catalyzing a fusion reaction A gamma ray generator characterized by irradiating the surface of the body to generate gamma rays by a non-thermonuclear fusion reaction. 5. The gamma ray generator according to claim 4, wherein the power source is a variable power source, and the voltage or current is changed to adjust the amount of hydrogen ion beam irradiated per unit time to generate the intensity of gamma rays. A gamma ray generator characterized by controlling the. 6. The gamma ray generator according to claim 4, wherein hydrogen gas supply means for supplying hydrogen gas is provided in the closed container, and the hydrogen gas pressure supplied from the hydrogen gas supply means is adjusted, A gamma ray generator characterized by controlling the radiation density distribution of gamma rays generated by adjusting the spatial density distribution of the hydrogen ion beam for irradiation.