JP2019160725A - Proton generation device, radioisotope generation device, proton generation method, and radioisotope generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To supply protons at a low introduction cost and maintenance cost and without generating a large amount of neutrons as compared to a case of using a cyclotron or the like.SOLUTION: A target for proton generation containing deuterium is irradiated withHe ions which have sufficient energy for a fusion reaction with deuterium. In this case, a large and precise device such as a cyclotron is not required, and a large amount of neutrons is not generated as protons are generated. As a result, in an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily supply protons used for the production of radioisotopes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a proton generator and a proton generation method. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating ⁴ He and protons (Proton: p) by nuclear fusion reaction of ³ He and deuterons (Duteron: D). One embodiment of the present invention also relates to a radioisotope generator and a method for generating a radioisotope. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating a radioisotope (RI) using protons generated by the fusion reaction.

Radioisotopes (RI) are used in the medical field. For example, in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination, a substance in which a substituent of glucose is substituted with a radioisotope (for example, ¹⁸ F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)) is exposed. The examiner is injected intravenously. The substance administered to the subject is taken up by cancer cells in which glucose metabolism is active. And the positron radiated | emitted from the said radioisotope is annihilated with an electron, and is converted into a gamma ray. Therefore, early detection of cancer cells becomes possible by photographing γ rays emitted from the subject.

  Radioisotopes are generally generated using a cyclotron or the like. In short, a cyclotron is an accelerator that moves charged particles in a circular motion by a magnetic field and accelerates the charged particles by an electric field (typically, an AC electric field of several to several hundred MHz). It is possible to generate a radioisotope by irradiating a target with.

  However, many radioisotopes used in the medical field have a short half-life. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a sufficient transport time for the radioisotope. Therefore, in order to effectively use a radioisotope, it is necessary to generate the radioisotope at a point that is the same as or close to the point where the radioisotope is used. For example, in the case of the above-described positron emission tomography examination, it is ideal that a radioisotope is generated in a hospital and a substance containing it is administered to a subject. However, the cyclotron, which is a large and precise device, is very expensive to introduce and maintain, so it is virtually impossible to install it in a specific hospital.

  An apparatus for generating a radioisotope without using a cyclotron has also been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that generates radioisotopes in the following order.

First, deuterons (D) are generated by irradiating a deuteron emission target with laser light having a predetermined intensity. Next, the deuteron is irradiated to an isotope production target including a source material for producing ³ He and a radioisotope. Thereby, deuteron and ³ He undergo a nuclear fusion reaction, and ⁴ He and proton (p) are generated. Furthermore, a desired radioisotope is produced by a fusion reaction between the produced proton and the raw material.

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide a radioactive isotope at a lower cost than when using a cyclotron.

JP 2006-226790 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the deuteron emission target is irradiated with laser light having high energy enough to generate deuterons. In this case, there is a possibility that not only deuterons but also neutrons are emitted in large quantities from the deuteron emission target. Since neutrons have no charge, the behavior of emitted neutrons cannot be controlled by an electric field. Therefore, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the diffusion of neutrons, it is necessary to take measures such as surrounding it with water or concrete. Therefore, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a mechanism for preventing the diffusion of neutrons must be provided separately, and the apparatus must be a large apparatus as a whole.

  In view of the above-described problems, one aspect of the present invention is to supply protons without generating a large amount of neutrons at a low introduction cost and maintenance cost as compared with the case of using a cyclotron or the like, and An object is to supply a radioactive isotope using the proton.

One embodiment of the present invention is to generate protons used to generate ⁴ He and a radioisotope by irradiating a target for proton generation containing deuterium with ³ He ions of relatively low energy. Is the gist.

For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a case in which a sealed interior is maintained in a negative pressure environment, and helium ions that are accelerated in a case where ³ He ions generated as a result of generation of plasma are accelerated by a direct-current electric field are irradiated into the case. A proton generation apparatus including a source, and a proton generation target that generates ⁴ He and protons by being irradiated with ³ He ions.

A casing that maintains a sealed interior in a negative pressure environment; a helium ion source that irradiates the casing with ³ He ions generated by the generation of plasma in the casing by a DC electric field; A proton generation target that generates ⁴ He and protons by being irradiated with ³ He ions, and a position outside the casing and facing the proton generation target via the casing. And a radioisotope generation target including a radioisotope generation target including a radioisotope source material is also an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, a proton generation target containing deuterium is placed in a casing that maintains a sealed interior in a negative pressure environment, and ³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation are accelerated by a DC electric field to generate protons. A method for generating protons is also an embodiment of the present invention in which ⁴ He and protons are generated by irradiating a target for irradiation with accelerated ³ He ions.

In addition, the proton generation target is placed in a casing that maintains a sealed interior in a negative pressure environment, deuterons are injected into the proton generation target, and ³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation are DC-generated. A method for generating protons, which is accelerated by a field and generates ⁴ He and protons by irradiating the target for proton generation with accelerated ³ He ions, is also an embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, the protons generated by the above method are radiated to a radioisotope generation target that is disposed outside the casing and is opposed to the proton generation target via the casing and includes a source material. Therefore, a method for producing a radioisotope is also an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, ³ He ions having energy necessary and sufficient for a nuclear fusion reaction with deuterium are irradiated to a proton generation target containing deuterium. In this case, a large and precise device such as a cyclotron is not required, and a large amount of neutrons is not generated as protons are generated. As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily supply protons used for the production of radioisotopes, and to easily supply radioisotopes using the protons. Is possible.

The conceptual diagram which shows the notional structure of the proton production | generation apparatus of 1 aspect of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows another conceptual structure of the proton production | generation apparatus of 1 aspect of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the notional structure of the radioisotope production | generation apparatus of 1 aspect of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the specific structure of the proton production | generation apparatus shown by FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the proton generator shown in FIG. 4. The figure which shows an example of a specific example structure of the proton production | generation apparatus shown by FIG. The figure which shows an example of another specific example structure of the proton production | generation apparatus shown by FIG. The figure which shows an example of the specific example structure of the radioisotope production | generation apparatus shown by FIG.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component requirements common in drawing. It should also be noted that components represented in one drawing may be omitted in another drawing for convenience of explanation. Furthermore, it should be noted that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

1 Conceptual Configuration of Proton Generation Device FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a proton generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. A proton generator 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a helium ion source 1 that irradiates ³ He ions ( ³ He ⁺ ), and protons that generate ⁴ He and protons (p) by being irradiated with the ³ He ions. Generation target 2. In the proton generation target 2 shown in FIG. 1, deuterons and ³ He undergo a nuclear fusion reaction, and ⁴ He and protons are generated. In this case, neutrons are not generated as protons are generated.

Note that the irradiation of ³ He ions to the proton generation target 2 is performed in the housing 3 that maintains the sealed interior in a negative pressure environment. For example, the internal pressure of the space irradiated with ³ He ions is preferably 10 ⁻¹ pa to 10 ⁻⁵ pa. Thus, ³ He ions reduces the probability that interact with gas elements present in the space, it is possible to efficiently irradiate the ³ He ions proton generating target 2.

Further, the helium ion source 1 generates ³ He ions as the plasma is generated, and accelerates the generated ³ He ions with a DC electric field. Then, the helium ion source 1, as proton-generating target 2 to ³ He ions are irradiated, irradiation with accelerated ³ He ions in the casing 3. In addition, it is preferable that the kinetic energy of ³ He ion irradiated to the target 2 for proton production | generation is 100-300 keV. Specifically, in order to improve the generation efficiency of the above fusion reaction, it is preferable that the kinetic energy of the irradiated ³ He ions is 100 keV or more. On the other hand, if the energy of the irradiated ³ He ions becomes too high, it is necessary to prepare a large and expensive helium ion source. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the irradiated ³ He ions is preferably 300 keV or less.

In the proton generator 100 shown in FIG. 1, protons can be generated in the following order. First, the proton generating target 2 containing deuterium is placed in a housing 3 that maintains the sealed interior in a negative pressure environment. Next, ³ He ions generated as the plasma is generated are accelerated by a DC electric field. Finally, the proton generation target 2 is irradiated with accelerated ³ He ions to generate ⁴ He and protons. The generated protons have an energy of 14.67 MeV and are emitted radially from the proton generation target 2.

  In this case, as described above, a large amount of neutrons is not generated with the generation of protons. Moreover, a large and precise device such as a cyclotron is not necessary. Therefore, in the proton generator shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to easily supply protons used for the generation of radioisotopes.

As the helium ion source 1 shown in FIG. 1, any device can be used as long as it is a device capable of generating ³ He ions with generation of plasma and accelerating and irradiating the generated ³ He ions. May be. For example, a multicusp ion source, a duoplasmatron ion source, an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source, or the like can be used as the helium ion source 1.

As the proton generating target 2 shown in FIG. 1, any target may be used as long as it can generate ⁴ He and protons by irradiation with ³ He ions. For example, solid deuterium, deuterium polyethylene, or a metal target into which deuterium is injected may be used as the proton generation target 2. The specific configuration of the proton generator 100 will be described later.

2 Another Conceptual Configuration of Proton Generating Device FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing another conceptual configuration of the proton generating device of one embodiment of the present invention. Briefly, the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2 includes a deuteron source 4 that irradiates the proton generation target 2 ′ with deuterons in addition to the components of the proton generator 100 shown in FIG. .

As the proton generation target 2 ′, a hydrogen storage alloy such as a Ti alloy can be applied. As the deuteron source 4 shown in FIG. 2, any device can be used as long as it is capable of generating deuterons with generation of plasma and accelerating and irradiating the generated deuterons. May be. The kinetic energy of deuteron (D) irradiated from the deuteron source 4 is preferably 1 keV to 5 keV. If the kinetic energy of deuterons exceeds 5 keV, the reaction rate of the nuclear reaction between deuterons (D + D → n + ³ He) can no longer be ignored, and the probability of generating neutrons (Netron: n) increases. It is. Further, as the deuteron source 4, for example, a duoplasmatron ion source or the like may be applied.

  In the proton generating apparatus 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to easily supply protons used for the generation of radioisotopes, like the proton generating apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, in the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to generate protons having energy of 14.67 MeV in the following order.

First, the proton generating target 2 ′ is placed in the housing 3 that maintains the sealed interior in a negative pressure environment. Next, deuterons (D) are injected into the proton generation target 2 ′. Next, ³ He ions generated as the plasma is generated are accelerated by a DC electric field. Finally, ⁴ He and protons are generated by irradiating the target 2 ′ for proton generation with accelerated ³ He ions.

The proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2 is preferable in that the burden of maintenance can be reduced compared to the proton generator 100 shown in FIG. Specifically, in the proton generating apparatus 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2, since deuterium can be appropriately injected into the proton generating target 2 ′, the proton generating target 2 ′ is continuously used without being replaced. Is possible. Further, in the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2, since the ³ He ions are not irradiated to substances such as solid deuterium and deuterium polyethylene, the proton generation target 2 ′ accompanying the generation of protons is heated. It is possible to suppress. On the other hand, since the proton generator 100 shown in FIG. 1 does not include the deuteron source 4, it is preferable in that it is less expensive than the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG.

3 Conceptual Configuration of Radioisotope Generation Device FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a conceptual configuration of the radioisotope generation device of one embodiment of the present invention. Briefly, the radioisotope generating apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 3 includes a radioisotope generating target including a radioisotope source material (M) in addition to the components of the proton generating apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 is included. The radioisotope generation target 5 is disposed outside the casing 3 and at a position facing the proton generation target 2 via the casing 3. That is, the radioisotope generation target 5, located on the back side of the surface proton ³ He ion generating target 2 is illuminated, Also, location in a different environment from the negative pressure ^{environment 3} He ions are irradiated It is burned. For example, the radioactive isotope production target 5 may be placed in an atmospheric pressure environment.

  Note that in the radioisotope generation device of one embodiment of the present invention, neutrons (n) are also generated along with the generation of radioisotopes, but generation of neutrons at the stage of generating protons is prevented. The generation amount can be minimized.

As the source material, any material may be used as long as it is a target that undergoes a nuclear fusion reaction with protons to generate a radioisotope (RI). For example, a material containing ¹⁸ O, ⁶⁴ Ni, or the like may be used as a source material. Note that when a substance containing ¹⁸ O or ⁶⁴ Ni is used as a raw material, ¹⁸ F or ⁶⁴ Cu is obtained as a radioisotope.

  In the radioisotope generation apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 3, the protons released by the above-described method are supplied to the radioisotope generation target 5 to generate radioisotopes. Thereby, in the radioisotope production | generation apparatus 200 shown by FIG. 3, it is possible to supply a radioisotope easily.

  Although not shown, a radioisotope including the constituent elements of the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. 2 and the radioisotope generation target 5 as the radioisotope generator of one embodiment of the present invention. It is also possible to apply a generator. Also in this case, the radioisotope can be simply supplied in the same manner as the radioisotope generator shown in FIG.

4 Specific Configuration of Proton Generation Device FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the proton generation device of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. Briefly, the proton generator 300 shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the proton generator 100 shown in FIG. A proton generator 300 shown in FIG. 4 includes a helium ion source 1, a proton generation target 2, and a housing 3. Furthermore, the housing | casing 3 contains the frame part 31, the support part 32 which supports the target 2 for proton production | generation, and the connection part 33 which connects the frame part 31 and the support part 32 so that isolation | separation is possible. In addition, the connection part 33 may be connected to the frame part 31 and / or the support part 32 by mechanical connection members, such as a volt | bolt, a nut, and a screw. In addition, the connection portion 33 may include an O-ring that is disposed at the connection interface 331 with the frame portion 31. The inside of the housing 3 communicates with the vacuum pump 6 disposed outside the housing 3 through the opening 312.

The helium ion source 1 is an ion source that irradiates ³ He ions that pass through openings 311 and 312 provided in the frame portion 31 (that is, in the right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 4). The helium ion source 1 is connected to the side wall of the frame portion 31 that exists around the opening 311. Further, the operation of the helium ion source 1 may be controlled by a controller (not shown) via wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the helium ion source 1 may include an input device such as a touch panel, and the operation may be controlled based on a signal input to the input device.

Moreover, the frame part 31 of the housing | casing 3 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped structure provided with a cavity inside. The interior of the frame 31 is used as a space for irradiating the proton generation target 2 with ³ He ions. Therefore, the frame section 31, an opening 311 for introducing the ³ He ions irradiated from the helium ion source 1 therein, for supplying the ³ He ions proton generating target 2 emitted from a helium ion source 1 And an opening 313 that becomes an exhaust path when the inside of the housing 3 is exhausted by the vacuum pump 6. Note that the size and shape of the openings 311 and 312 of the frame portion 31 are any size as long as ³ He ions can be irradiated from the helium ion source 1 to the proton generation target 2. The shape and shape may be sufficient. For example, the width w1 of the opening 311 may be narrower than the width w2 of the opening 312 and the width w2 of the opening 312 may be narrower than the width w3 of the proton generating target 2.

The frame portion 31 on the connection portion 33 side includes an upper side wall 331a extending downward from the upper end and a lower side wall 331b extending upward from the lower end. Thereby, it is possible to secure the supply path of ³ He ions and reduce the probability that protons released from the proton generation target 2 will reach the helium ion source 1 and the vacuum pump 6.

  Moreover, the support part 32 of the housing | casing 3 is a structure containing the recessed part 321 in which the target 2 for proton production | generation is arrange | positioned. Note that the 14.67 MeV protons released from the proton generation target 2 are generally made of a material (for example, Ti) constituting the proton generation target 2 and / or a material (for example, Al) constituting the casing 3. When transmitting through a thickness of about 0.1 mm, the kinetic energy is lost by about 1 MeV. As the proton kinetic energy decreases, the kinetic energy lost when the proton passes through the proton generation target 2 and / or the casing 3 by the same thickness increases. That is, if the thickness of the bottom 322 of the recess 321 of the housing 3 is 1.5 mm or more, it is difficult to take out protons having a kinetic energy of 14.67 MeV at the time of generation to the outside of the housing 3. Become. Therefore, the total of the thickness t1 of the proton generation target 2 shown in FIG. 5 and the thickness t2 of the bottom 322 of the concave portion 321 of the support portion 32 is preferably 0.2 mm or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness t3 of the support part 32 around the recessed part 321 be 1.5 mm or more. As a result, protons released from the proton generation target 2 are supplied from the bottom 322 of the recess 321 to the outside of the housing 3, and in the region of the support portion 32 having the same thickness as the thickness t 3, It is possible to prevent release from the negative pressure environment.

  The support portion 32 is connected to the frame portion 31 via the connection portion 33 in a state where the proton generation target 2 is placed in the concave portion 321. For example, the support portion 32 may include a locking projection (not shown) in the recess 321, and the proton generation target 2 may be placed in the recess 321 by locking the proton generation target 2 with the locking projection.

Further, the support part 32 may include a cooling structure for cooling the proton generation target 2. For example, a pipe capable of circulating cooling water may be provided on the surface or inside of the support portion 32. Thereby, it is possible to cool the target 2 for proton production heated by irradiation with ³ He ions.

Further, the support portion 32 is in a state where the connection portion 33 is separated (for example, when the connection portion is connected to the frame portion 31 and / or the support portion 32 by a mechanical connection member such as a bolt, a nut, and a screw) It is separable from the main-body part 31 by making it the state which removed the mechanical connection member. Therefore, in the proton generator 300 shown in FIG. 4, only the proton generation target 2 or the proton generation target 2 and the support part 32 can be appropriately replaced. Thereby, it is possible to change the type of the proton generation target 2 according to the amount of protons required, and to replace the proton generation target 2 that has deteriorated due to irradiation with ³ He ions over a long period of time.

  The vacuum pump 6 is a pump that is connected to the frame portion 31 in the vicinity of the opening 313 provided in the frame portion 31 and can exhaust the gas existing in the internal space of the housing 3 through the opening 313. The operation of the vacuum pump 6 may be controlled by a controller (not shown) via wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the vacuum pump 6 may include an input device such as a touch panel, and the operation may be controlled based on a signal input to the input device.

As the vacuum pump 6, any device may be used as long as it can make the space irradiated with ³ He ions into a negative pressure environment (for example, 10 ⁻¹ pa to 10 ⁻⁵ pa). For example, a turbo molecular pump or the like can be applied as the vacuum pump 6.

  As a material of the frame part 31, any material may be used as long as the material can maintain the negative pressure environment. However, in the proton generator 300 shown in FIG. 4, protons are emitted radially from the proton generation target 2, so that there is a possibility that the frame portion 31 is also irradiated with protons. Therefore, it is preferable to apply a material that is not easily activated as the material of the frame portion 31. For example, it is preferable to apply Al or an Al alloy as the material of the frame portion 31.

  As the material of the support portion 32, it is preferable to apply a material that is difficult to be activated, like the material of the frame portion 31. For example, it is preferable to apply Al or an Al alloy. Furthermore, in order to efficiently dissipate heat from the proton generation target 2, it is preferable to apply a material having high thermal conductivity as the material of the support portion 32. For example, it is also preferable to apply a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material of the main body 31 as the material of the support portion 32.

  It is preferable that the connection part 33 is comprised including an insulator. Thereby, it is possible to isolate | separate the main-body part 31 and the support part 32 electrically and thermally.

5 Specific Configuration of Proton Generation Device FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the proton generation device of one embodiment of the present invention. In short, the proton generator 300 ′ shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the proton generator 100 ′ shown in FIG. That is, the proton generator 300 ′ shown in FIG. 6 includes the deuteron source 4 that irradiates the proton generation target 2 ′ with deuterons in addition to the components of the proton generator 300 shown in FIG. However, in the case 3 ′ of the proton generator 300 ′ shown in FIG. 6, in order to secure a deuteron irradiation path from the deuteron source 4 to the proton generation target 2 ′, the side wall ( The opening 312 ′ provided in the right side wall of the frame 31 ′ shown in FIG. 6 is larger than the opening 312 provided in the frame 31 of the proton generator 300 shown in FIG. .

  The deuteron source 4 is an ion source that irradiates deuterons that pass through openings 314 and 312 ′ provided in the frame portion 31 (that is, toward the lower right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 6). Moreover, the above-mentioned description is used for the detail of the component of the proton production | generation apparatus 300 'shown by FIG.

FIG. 7 is also a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the proton generator according to one embodiment of the present invention. In short, in the proton generator 300 ″ shown in FIG. 7, the frame portion 31 ″ of the housing 3 ″ includes shutters 315a and 315b that open and close the opening 312 provided on the side wall. In other words, the frame portion 31 ″ of the proton generator shown in FIG. 7 includes shutters 315a and 315b that open and close the irradiation path of ³ He ions from the helium ion source 1 to the proton generation target 2. In the proton generating device 300 '' shown in FIG. 7, the shutters 315a and 315b are closed (the shutter 315a shown in FIG. 7 is moved down and the shutter 315b is moved up), whereby the frame 31 '' And the space surrounded by the outer wall portions 332 a ′ and 322 b ′ and the shutters 315 a and 315 b, the support portion 32, and the connection portion 33 of the frame portion 31 ″ are separated. Accordingly, in the proton generating apparatus 300 ″ shown in FIG. 7, the shutter 315a and 315b are closed after the irradiation of ³ He ions from the helium ion source 1 to the proton generating target 2, so that the proton generating target 2 It is possible to further reduce the probability that the protons emitted radially reach the helium ion source 1 and the vacuum pump 6.

  The operations of the shutters 315a and 315b may be controlled by a controller (not shown) via wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the operations of the shutters 315a and 315b may be controlled based on signals input to an input device such as a touch panel built in the frame portion 3 ''.

Although not shown, a proton generator in which a shutter for opening and closing the opening 312 is added to the frame portion 31 ′ of the proton generator 300 ′ shown in FIG. 6 is also an aspect of the present invention. As the shutter, a common path for closing the ³ He ion supply path from the helium ion source 1 to the proton generation target 2 and the deuteron supply path from the deuteron source 4 to the proton generation target 2 are common. A shutter may be provided, or a shutter that closes both may be provided separately (that is, a first shutter that opens and closes the former supply path and a second shutter that opens and closes the latter supply path). May be provided separately).

6 Specific Configuration of Radioisotope Generation Device FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the radioisotope generation device illustrated in FIG. 3. In short, the radioisotope generator shown in FIG. 8 includes a target 5 for generating a radioisotope in addition to the proton generator shown in FIG. The radioisotope generation target 5 is disposed outside the casing 3 and at a position facing the proton generation target 2 via the casing 3. That is, the radioisotope generation target 5, located on the back side of the surface proton ³ He ion generating target 2 is illuminated, Also, location in a different environment from the negative pressure ^{environment 3} He ions are irradiated It is burned. For example, the radioactive isotope production target 5 may be placed in an atmospheric pressure environment.

  Although not shown, in addition to the proton generator shown in FIG. 6 or 7, a radioisotope generator including the target 5 for generating a radioisotope is also an aspect of the present invention.

  As described above, various embodiments have been exemplified, but the above embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Each configuration, shape, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

1: helium ion source, 2, 2 ′: proton generation target, 3, 3 ′, 3 ″: casing, 4: deuteron source, 5: radioactive isotope generation target, 6: vacuum pump, 31, 31 ′, 31 ″: Frame portion, 32: Support portion, 33: Connection portion, 100, 100 ′: Proton generator, 200: Radioisotope generator, 300, 300 ′, 300 ″: Proton generator, 311 to 314, 312 ′: opening, 315a, 315b: shutter, 321: recess, 322: bottom, 331a: upper side wall, 331b: lower side wall, 400: radioisotope generator

Claims (10)

A housing that maintains a sealed interior in a negative pressure environment;
A helium ion source for accelerating ³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation by a DC electric field and irradiating the ³ He ions in the housing;
A proton generating device that is arranged in the casing and includes a proton generation target that generates ⁴ He and protons by being irradiated with the ³ He ions.   The proton generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deuteron source that irradiates the proton generation target with deuterons. The housing is
A frame having an opening;
A support for supporting the proton generating target;
A connection part that detachably connects the frame part and the support part,
The proton generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inside of the housing communicates with a vacuum pump disposed outside the housing through the opening. The proton generator according to claim 3, wherein the frame includes a shutter that opens and closes an irradiation path of the ³ He ions from the helium ion source to the proton generation target. The housing is
A frame having an opening;
A support for supporting the proton generating target;
A connection part that detachably connects the frame part and the support part,
The inside of the housing communicates with a vacuum pump disposed outside the housing through the opening,
The frame is
A first shutter that opens and closes an irradiation path of the ³ He ions from the helium ion source to the proton generation target;
And a second shutter for opening and closing an irradiation path of the deuteron from the deuterium ion source to the proton generation target.   The proton generator according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the support portion includes a recess in which the proton generation target is disposed. A housing that maintains a sealed interior in a negative pressure environment;
A helium ion source for accelerating ³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation by a DC electric field and irradiating the case with
A target for generating protons that is arranged in the housing and generates ⁴ He and protons by being irradiated with the ³ He ions;
A radioisotope that is outside the casing and is disposed at a position facing the proton generation target via the casing and includes a radioactive isotope source material. Generator. A proton generation target containing deuterium is placed in a casing that maintains the sealed interior in a negative pressure environment,
³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation are accelerated by a DC electric field,
A method for generating protons, wherein the proton generation target is irradiated with the accelerated ³ He ions to generate ⁴ He and protons. Place the target for proton generation in a casing that maintains the sealed interior in a negative pressure environment,
Injecting deuterons into the proton generation target,
³ He ions generated as a result of plasma generation are accelerated by a DC electric field,
A method for generating protons, wherein the proton generation target is irradiated with the accelerated ³ He ions to generate ⁴ He and protons.   Protons generated by the method according to claim 8 or 9 are disposed outside the casing, at positions facing the proton generation target via the casing, and include a source material. A method for generating a radioisotope, wherein a radioisotope is generated by radiating a target for generating a radioisotope.

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