JP2004184363A - Alpha-ray irradiator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alpha-ray irradiator which easily and efficiently irradiates objects with alpha rays. <P>SOLUTION: The irradiator is equipped with a sample holding section for holding a sample to be irradiated with the alpha rays, an alpha-ray source section for irradiating the sample with the alpha rays, an alpha-ray source fixing section for fixing the alpha-ray source section, a collimator section for adjusting the irradiation angles of the alpha rays in an approximately vertical direction and a shutter section for selecting the time for alpha-ray irradiation by opening and closing a shutter. Preferably, the irradiator is equipped with a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance from the alpha-ray source to the sample. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alpha ray irradiation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an alpha-ray irradiator has been used to irradiate a sample to be irradiated with alpha-rays and evaluate the influence. The alpha-irradiation apparatus is configured to be capable of irradiating radiation that has passed through a collimator, for example, to investigate the effect of alpha-irradiation on cultured cells.
[0003]
However, conventional alpha-ray irradiators cannot accurately set the irradiation time, especially a short irradiation time of a fraction of a second to a tenth of a second, and can accurately and arbitrarily adjust the distance from the source to the sample. Irradiation cannot be performed simply and efficiently because the gas phase around the alpha-ray source cannot be replaced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention provides an alpha-ray irradiator that can easily and efficiently irradiate alpha-rays.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The alpha ray irradiation apparatus of the present invention is a sample holding unit for holding a sample to be irradiated with alpha rays, an alpha ray source unit for irradiating alpha rays, an alpha ray source fixing unit for fixing the alpha ray source unit, A collimator unit for adjusting the irradiation angle of the alpha ray to be substantially vertical, and a shutter unit for selecting the alpha ray irradiation time by opening and closing the shutter are provided.
[0006]
In the alpha ray irradiation apparatus of the present invention, the sample holding section holds a sample to be irradiated with alpha rays, and loads a sample, for example, cells in a culture dish, below the sample, preferably adjusts the height of the sample. It is configured to receive. Such adjustment includes, for example, a mechanism that can vary the height by turning a height adjustment ring. The alpha-ray source unit includes an alpha-ray source and a source table that supports the alpha-ray source. The alpha-source fixing unit adjusts and fixes the height of the alpha-ray source. The alpha source fixing part preferably includes an inlet pipe and an exhaust pipe made of helium or the like in order to replace a gas phase around the alpha ray, thereby preventing attenuation of the alpha ray by air. .
[0007]
A collimator section is provided between the alpha ray source section and the sample holding section for adjusting the irradiation angle of the alpha ray substantially vertically. This collimator section preferably has a honeycomb-shaped substantially vertical opening. A shutter is provided between the collimator and the sample holder. The shutter may have the same basic configuration as a lens shutter or a focal plane shutter in a camera. The lower part of the sample holder is filled with the sample, and when the shutter is opened, the sample is irradiated with alpha rays from the lower part of the sample holder. In the shutter unit according to the present invention, the alpha-ray irradiation time can be arbitrarily adjusted by a controller.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example (tabletop type) of an alpha-ray irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. The cell culture dish 1 is loaded in the lower part of the sample holding unit 2, and the height is adjusted by a sample height adjusting ring 3. 4 is a shutter, 5 is a collimator, 6 is a shutter stage, 7 is an alpha source, 8 is a source stage, and 9 is an alpha source adjusting bolt. 10 is a lower cover. When the shutter 4 is open, the sample is irradiated with alpha rays through the aperture of the collimator 5 by the alpha ray source 7.
[0009]
The collimator 5 has a honeycomb-shaped substantially vertical opening for adjusting the irradiation angle of the alpha ray to be almost vertical (FIG. 2). The shutter 4 is mounted on a shutter stage 6, and the irradiation time can be selected by opening the shutter 4 at an arbitrary predetermined time by a controller (not shown). The alpha ray source 7 is mounted on a source table 8 and can be closely attached and fixed to a collimator by a source adjusting bolt 9. The source table 8 and the source adjusting bolt 9 constitute an alpha ray fixing unit.
[0010]
When irradiating with alpha rays, first, the alpha ray source 7 and then the collimator 5 are attached, the shutter 4 main body is set at a predetermined position, and the sample height is adjusted by the sample height adjusting ring 3. A controller (not shown) is connected to the shutter 4 main body with a release cable. Next, the cell culture dish 1 is loaded in the lower part of the sample holder 2, a predetermined shutter speed is selected, and alpha rays are irradiated.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the alpha-ray irradiation apparatus which can irradiate an alpha-ray easily and efficiently can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example (tabletop type) of an alpha-ray irradiation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a collimator in the alpha-ray irradiation device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cell culture dish 2 ... Sample holder 3 ... Sample height adjustment ring 4 ... Shutter 5 ... Collimator 6 ... Shutter stage 7 ... Alpha ray source 8 ... Source table 9 ... Alpha ray source adjustment bolt 10 ... Lower cover

Claims (8)

A sample holder for holding a sample to be irradiated with alpha rays, an alpha ray source section for emitting alpha rays, an alpha ray source fixing section for fixing the alpha ray source section, and an irradiation angle of the alpha rays to be substantially vertical. An alpha-ray irradiator comprising: a collimator section for adjusting; and a shutter section for selecting an alpha-ray irradiation time by opening and closing a shutter. The alpha ray irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a distance adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance from the alpha ray source to the sample. 2. The alpha-ray irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alpha-ray source fixing unit includes an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe for replacing a gas phase around the alpha-ray. The alpha ray irradiation device according to claim 2, wherein the distance adjusting mechanism is provided on the sample holding unit. The alpha ray irradiation device according to claim 2, wherein the distance adjusting mechanism is a sample height adjusting ring. 2. The alpha-ray irradiator according to claim 1, wherein the collimator has a honeycomb-shaped substantially vertical opening. The alpha ray irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a cultured cell. 2. The alpha-ray irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alpha-ray source section comprises an alpha-ray source and a source base supporting the alpha-ray source.

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