Inductional undulative EH-accelerator

• US 6,433,494 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexandra C. Melnyk, Nestor Kolcio, Peter B. Kosel, Victor V. Kulish
• Original Assignee: Alexandra C. Melnyk, Nestor Kolcio, Peter B. Kosel, Victor V. Kulish
• Inventors: Kulish, Victor V., Kolcio, Nestor, Kosel, Peter B., Melnyk, Alexandra C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Bruce
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wells, Nikita
• Application Number:
  US09/551,762
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 315/500, 315/501, 315/505, 315/111.61, 315/111.21, 313/359.1, 250/251, 250/292, 250/396.ML, 250/423.R, 250/424
• US Class Current: 315/500
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/54 Plasma accelerators
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 3/04 Acceleration by electromagnetic wave pressure

Abstract

An improved device utilizing an inductive undulative EH-accelerator is proposed for acceleration and cooling of plasma fluxes, and beams of charged particles, and separate charged particles; and for forming of neutral molecular beams, and neutron beams (inductive undulative EH-accelerator) is proposed. The device consists of an electromagnetic undulation system, whose driving system for electromagnets, is made in the form of a radio frequency (RF) oscillator operating in the frequency range from about 100 KHz to 10 GHz; which is connected with coils of the undulatve system of electromagnets, and a source of accelerated particles, which is provided in the form of source of plasma or neutral molecular beams, or positive or negative ions, or charged particle beams, or separate charged particles. Other distinguishing features of the device are that at least a part of the cores and magneto-conductors of the electromagnetic undulation system is made from ferrite-type materials, and that the electromagnetic undulation system is used for purposes of acceleration of separate charged particles, or cooling and acceleration of charged particle beams and plasma fluxes. This is a compact system. The invention is related to such uses for which especially the problem of reducing of overall size, weight and cost of a device and increasing of its reliability is required.

Claims

1. A method for accelerating particles to a given particle energy utilizing an EH-undulated accelerator structure with an energized particle output direction, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a source of particles to be energized by acceleration;

(b) providing an acceleration channel with said structure of spatially constrained configuration derived in correspondence with directional transition regions and substantially surmounted by a magnetic core and winding assembly excitable from an associated distributed time varying current source to generate a magnetic field about said acceleration channel and a corresponding crossed electric field having particle accelerating vectors with generally undulating acceleration directions along said acceleration channel, said channel extending from an accelerator input to an accelerator output said core comprising a magnetic material effective to generate said magnetic field;

(c) providing a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to said directional transition regions and effective to derive undulative transitions of said acceleration directions;

(d) introducing said particles from said source to said accelerator input;

(e) actuating said distributed current source to derive said magnetic field and said crossed electric field to effect acceleration of said particles to form a path of energized particles within a select path route along said acceleration channel;

(f) steering said path of particles within said acceleration channel with said steering assembly to derive, with said magnetic and crossed electric fields, a said path of energized particles having a system directional vector corresponding with said output direction; and

(g) directing said path of energized particles from said accelerator output.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said step (d) for actuating said distributed current source is carried out with frequencies in the range of about 0.1 Megahertz to 10 Gigahertz.

3. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) for providing a source of particles provides said source as a source of neutral molecules which are converted to an ionized plasma which, in turn is introduced to said accelerator input.

4. The method of claim 3 in which said step (a) for providing a source of particles includes the steps of:

(a1) providing a microwave generator coupled to receive said ionized plasma and actuable to modulate said ionized plasma to provide a modulated plasma output; and

(a2) actuating said microwave generator and introducing said modulated plasma output into said accelerator input.

5. The method of claim 4 in which said step (a1) for providing a microwave generator includes the actuation of said microwave generator to extract positive and negative particles;

and including the steps of;

(a3) providing a charged particle separator having a separator input for receiving said positive and negative particles, said separator input communicating with first and second separator paths extending to said accelerator input; and

(a4) controlling said charged particle separator to direct said positive ion particles along said first path and said negative ion particles along said second path.

6. The method of claim 5 including the step of:

(a5) effecting a merging of said first and second paths at said accelerator input.

7. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) for providing a source of particles includes the steps of;

(a1) providing a first source of negative particles as a negative particle electron beam;

(a2) providing a second source of particles as a positive ion beam;

(a3) merging said first and second sources of particles to provide a merged beam pair of negative and positive particles;

(a4) introducing said merged beam pair into said accelerator input; and

said step (b) provides said acceleration effective to accelerate said negative particles from said first source in said acceleration channel along a first path route and directed to said acceleration output, and effective to accelerate said particles from said second source in said acceleration channel along a second path route to derive an energized particle quasi-neutral particle beam at said accelerator output.

8. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) for providing a source of particles includes the steps of;

(a1) providing a first source of particles as a positive ion beam;

(a2) providing a second source of particles as an electron beam exhibiting a first energy;

(a3) providing a third source of particles as an electron beam exhibiting a second energy different than said first energy;

(a4) merging said first, second and third sources of particles to provide a merged beam of positive and negative particles;

(a5) introducing said merged beam of particles into said accelerator input; and

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel of configuration effective to accelerate said particles from said second and third source in said acceleration channel along a first path route having said system directional vector directed to said accelerator output, and effective to accelerate said particles from said first source in said acceleration channel along a second path route having said system directional vector to derive an energized particle quasi-neutral particle beam at said accelerator output.

9. The method of claim 8 in which said step (a) for providing a source of particles includes the steps of:

(a6) providing a microwave generator coupled to receive said merged beam of positive and negative particles, said merged beam exhibiting an unstable frequency characteristic, said generator being actuable to pass components of said merged beam exhibiting a select said frequency characteristic; and

(a7) actuating said microwave generator.

10. The method of claim 1 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as a sequence of adjacent linear substantially parallel accelerator stages from first to nth, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel exit of said first stage, and each next said stage until said nth stage, being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of each next said stage of said sequence at a said directional transition region, and the channel exit of said nth stage being at said accelerator output.

11. The method of claim 10 in which said linear stage acceleration channels of said first through nth stages are disposed in substantially coplanar fashion.

12. The method of claim 10 in which:

each said accelerator stage is provided having two, mutually oppositely disposed core and winding components, each having two pole faces of opposite polarity, said two pole faces of each two components being mutually oppositely disposed from each other to define a said linear stage acceleration channel, and said pole faces sequentially alternating in polarity from said first to said nth stage.

13. The method of claim 10 in which each said accelerator stage is provided having magnetic material core and winding components, each defining a said linear stage acceleration channel.

14. The method of claim 13 in which said magnetic material cores of said core and winding components defining a said linear stage acceleration channel are provided as being integrally formed together to provide said first to nth stages.

15. The method of claim 1 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as:

a first sequence of substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

a second sequence of substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

said second sequence of accelerator stages being spaced from said first sequence of accelerator stages;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said first sequence being in particle receiving relationship with said accelerator input; and

the channel exit of said first stage of said first sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said second sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between select linear accelerator stages of respective said first and second sequences of said accelerator stages.

16. The method of claim 1 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as:

a first sequence of adjacent substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel exit of said first stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of the next adjacent said stage of said first sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive adjacent said accelerator stages of said first sequence;

a second sequence of adjacent substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel exit of said last accelerator stage of said first sequence to define a said directional transition region and the channel exit of said first stage of said second sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of the next said stage of said second sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive said accelerator stages of said second sequence, said last accelerator stage linear stage acceleration channel exit being at said accelerator output.

17. The method of claim 15 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as:

a first sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

a second sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage accelerator channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit and each stage being located intermediate and in adjacency with two successive stages of said first sequence of accelerator stages;

a third sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, said third sequence being spaced from said first and second sequences;

a fourth sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage accelerator channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit and each stage being located intermediate and in adjacency with two successive stages of said third sequence of accelerator stages;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said first sequence providing a first said accelerator input;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said second required providing a second said accelerator input;

the channel exit of said first stage of said first sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said third sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive linear accelerator stages of respective said first and third sequences of said accelerator stages; and

the channel exit of said first stage of said second sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said fourth sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive linear accelerator stages of respective said second and fourth sequences of said accelerator stages.

18. The method of claim 17 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel accelerator output as a first accelerator output carrying accelerated particles from said last stage of said third sequence, and a second accelerator output carrying accelerated particles from said last stage of said fourth sequence.

19. The method of claim 17 in which said step (b) provides said accelerator channel wherein said linear and parallel stages of said first, second, third and fourth stages are arranged in mutually parallel relationship.

20. The method of claim 15 or 16 in which said spacing between said first and second sequence of accelerator stages is selected in correspondence with the energy exhibited by said energized particles.

21. The method of claim 15 or 16 in which:

each said accelerator stage of said first and second sequences is provided having two, mutually oppositely disposed magnetic material core and winding components mutually oppositely disposed from each other to define a said linear stage acceleration channel.

22. The method of claim 21 in which said magnetic material cores of said magnetic material core and winding components of said first sequence are provided as being integrally formed together.

23. The method of claim 22 in which said magnetic material cores of said magnetic material core and winding components of said second sequence are provided as being integrally formed together.

24. The method of claim 21 in which said magnetic material cores of said magnetic material core and winding components of both said first and second sequences are provided as being integrally formed together.

25. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) providing a source of particles, provides a first source of particles exhibiting a first particle characteristic, and a second source of particles exhibiting a second particle characteristic different from said first particle characteristic;

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as;

a first sequence of substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage being a said accelerator input for receiving particles from said first source of particles, the channel exit of said first stage and each next said stage until said last stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next said stage of said first sequence to define a said directional transition region, and the channel exit of said last stage being a first said accelerator output;

a second sequence of substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, spaced from said first sequence, each stage of said second sequence having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage being a said accelerator input for receiving particles from said second source of particles, the channel exit of said first stage and each next stage until said last stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next said stage of said second sequence to define a said directional transition region, and the channel exit of said last stage being a second said accelerator output; and

including the step of;

(b1) merging said first and second accelerator outputs to provide a composite particle beam output.

26. The method of claim 1 in which said step (b) for providing an acceleration channel provides said channel as first through n sequences of adjacent substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, said stages of each sequence being substantially radially aligned with and parallel to a longitudinal axis and being mutually radially spaced apart, each of said accelerator stages of each said radially aligned first through n sequences having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first accelerator stage being said accelerator input, the channel exit of said first accelerator stage and each next said accelerator stage, until said last stage, being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next said accelerator stage to define a said directional transition region, the channel exit of the said last accelerator stage being said accelerator exit.

27. The method of claim 26 in which said first accelerator stage of said first sequence and the last said accelerator stage of said nth sequence are disposed radially outermost from said axis.

28. The method of claim 26 in which said step (b) for providing an acceleration channel provides a common acceleration channel disposed about said axis and serving as a common acceleration channel for one accelerator stage of each said first through n sequences.

29. The method of claim 26 in which:

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel with a said surmounted time varying current source deriving a said magnetic field which field lies within planes perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

30. The method of claim 29 in which:

said step (b) provides said crossed electric field along a vector substantially coincident with said output direction.

31. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (b) for providing an acceleration channel provides said channel as a sequence of first through last of linear accelerator stages extending in parallel from a central axis of said core and winding assembly, each said accelerator stage having a linear acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel exit of each said stage from said first stage through the next to said last stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the entrance of a said stage to define said directional transition regions;

said step (d) introduces particles to said accelerator input at said channel entrance of said first stage; and

said step (g) directs said path of energized particles from the channel exit of said last accelerator stage.

32. The method of claim 31 in which:

said step (c) provides a said magnetic steering assembly for deriving said undulative transitional between said channel exit of the next to last stage and said last stage as an electromagnetic steering assembly actuable to carry out said step (f) for steering said path of particles and further actuable to effect carrying out of said step (g) directing said path of energized particles by directing said particles from said last stage as said accelerator output.

33. The method of claim 32 in which:

said step (f) effects said steering of said path of particles fashion from said first through last stages with a select number of reiterations, whereupon said step (g) is carried out.

34. The method of claim 31 in which:

said step (b) provides said accelerative channel first through last linear accelerator stages as being radially aligned about a central axis of said core and winding assembly.

35. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (c) provides said magnetic steering assembly as a core assembly formed of magnetically responsive material having spaced apart polar-designated pole faces positioned at said directional transition region, a source of magnetization magnetically coupled with said core assembly to derive a magnetic field intermediate said pole faces, and said pole faces being located to effect an interception of said path of energized particles to cause it'"'"'s directional alteration in conformance within said spacially constrained configuration of said acceleration channel.

36. The method of claim 35 in which said step (c) provides said source of magnetism as comprising a permanent magnet assembly deriving said magnetic field at a predetermined field strength corresponding with the energization of said particles and the geometry of said directional alteration.

37. The method of claim 35 in which said step (c) provides said source of magnetism as comprising a permanent magnet assembly for deriving a said magnetic field at a given field strength, and an electromagnet assembly coupled with said core assembly and selectively energizable to alter said given field strength.

38. The method of claim 36 in which said step (c) provides said core assembly as having first and second mutually isolated extensions, each being magnetically coupled with said permanent magnet assembly in a unique polar sense, and

said electromagnet assembly comprises a first electromagnetic winding coupled in flux transfer relationship with said first extension and a second electromagnetic winding coupled in flux transfer relationship with said second extension.

39. The method of claim 35 in which:

said step (c) provides said magnetic steering assembly as further comprising a steering accelerator assembly having an accelerator core assembly with an electromagnetic winding excitable with a time varying current, and a steering component formed of magnetic material in flux transfer communication with said particle-accelerating accelerator core assembly and having an accelerating surface region in spaced adjacency with said core assembly pole faces and excitable from said winding to derive an electric field for imparting energy to said particles at a said directional transition regions.

40. The method of claim 39 in which:

said step (c) provides said magnetic steering assembly as comprising a said core assembly wherein said pole faces are configured with mutually cooperating curvatures for promoting said path of energized particles directional alteration in correspondence with said curvature.

41. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as a generally spiral-shaped channel extending about a generally cylindrically shaped said core and winding assembly disposed about a longitudinal axis and extending from said accelerator input to said accelerator output, and to which said distributed time varying current source is applied;

said step (c) provides said magnetic steering assembly as a spirally shaped bifurcate magnetic steering core having spaced apart pole faces located in spaced adjacency with said core and winding assembly to define therewith said generally spiral shaped channel and effect guidance of said energized particles along a spiral said path route having a said system directional vector with a component generally parallel with said axis.

42. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) provides said source of particles as negative ions;

said step (e) accelerates said negative ions to form said path of accelerated particles as a path of negative ion particles; and

said step (g) includes the step of providing a stripping target for intercepting said path of negative ion particles to derive a path of energized neutral particles at said accelerator output.

43. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (a) provides said source of particles as protons;

said step (c) accelerates said protons from said source to form said accelerated particles as a path of positive ion particles; and

said step (g) includes the step of forming a path of energized neutrons as said accelerator output.

44. The method of claim 1 in which said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as:

a first sequence of adjacent substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit said channel entrances and channel exits being alternately oppositely disposed from respective first through last accelerator stages;

a second sequence of adjacent, substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, said channel entrances and channel exits being alternately oppositely disposed from respective said first through last stages of said second sequence;

said second sequence of accelerator stages being spaced from said first sequence of acceleration stages;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said first sequence being in particle receiving relationship with said accelerator input;

the channel exit of said first stage of said first sequence being in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said second sequence;

the channel exit of each alternate said stage, from second through last half said stages of said first sequence being in particle transfer relationship with the entrance of each channel of each next adjacent stage of said first sequence;

the channel exit of each alternate said stage from second through the next to said last stage of said second sequence being in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of each channel of each next adjacent stage of said second sequence; and

the channel entrance of each alternate said stage from second through next to last of said first sequence being in particle transfer relationship with the channel exit of each alternate said state from second to next to last of said second sequence.

45. The method of claim 1 in which:

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel as;

a first sequence of accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having an acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, said channel entrance and channel exits of said first sequence being alternately oppositely disposed to define first sequence first and second transition regions;

a second sequence of accelerator stages from first to last, spaced from said first sequence, each stage having an acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, said channel entrances and said channel exits of said second sequence being alternately oppositely disposed to define second sequence first and second transition regions;

said step (c) provides said steering assembly as;

a first steering assembly located in particle transfer association between said first transition regions of said first and second sequences;

a second steering assembly located in particle transfer association with said first through last stages of said first sequence; and

a third steering assembly located in particle transfer association with said first through last stages of said second sequence.

46. Apparatus for accelerating particles to given particle energy, utilizing an EH-undulated accelerator comprising:

(a) a source of particles;

(b) an acceleration channel configured having a magnetic material core assembly defining a particle path direction within a spacially constrained configuration, said channel being surmounted by a winding assembly excitable with a time varying current generating a corresponding time varying magnetic field within said core assembly and a corresponding time varying crossed electric field exhibiting particle accelerating vectors along said acceleration channel for energizing said particles along said path, said acceleration channel extending from an acceleration input for receiving said particles from said source to an accelerator output for expelling an energized particle beam;

(c) a current source for applying said time varying current to excite said winding assembly, said time varying current exhibiting a frequency greater than about 0.1 MHz; and

(d) said magnetic material being effective to support the inductive generation of said time varying magnetic field.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said current source is a current at a frequency within the range of about 0.1 MHz to 10 GHz.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said magnetic material exhibits a relative permeability within a range of about 100 to 200.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said magnetic material exhibits a B field saturation of about 0.2 to 0.5 Tesla.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said source of particles comprises:

a source of neutral particles;

a discharge chamber receiving said neutral particles, having a magnetic containment assembly and excitable to form an ionized plasma deriving charge-carrying particles from said neutral particles and providing said charge-carrying particles as said source of particles; and

a current source for exciting said discharge chamber.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 in which said source of particles further comprises a microwave generator responsive to said charge carrying particle, to derive modulated charge carrying particles as a said source of particles.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 in which said source of particle further comprises:

a charged particle separator having a separator input for receiving said modulated charge carrying particles and deriving a said source of particles as positively charged particles located within a first separator path and negatively charged particles located within a second separator path.

53. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said source of particle comprises:

a first source of particles present as a positive ion beam;

a second source of particles present as a negative particle beam exhibiting a first energy level;

a magnetic merging stage responsive to said first and second sources of particles to derive a merged beam comprised of positive and negative particles as particles from said source of particles.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 in which said source of particles further comprises:

a third source of particles present as a negative particle beam exhibiting a second energy different from said first energy; and

said magnetic merging stage is responsive to said first, second and third sources of particles to derive a said merged beam.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 in which said source of particles further comprises:

a microwave generator responsive to said first, second and third sources of particles deriving said merged beam exhibiting an unstable frequency characteristic to pass components thereof exhibiting a select said frequency characteristic.

56. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration channel core assembly comprises a said core assembly defining a sequence of adjacent said channels each surmounted by a said winding assembly to form a sequence of accelerator stages from first to nth, each with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel exit of said first stage and each next said stage until said nth stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of each next said stage of said sequence at an acceleration channel directional transition region; and

including a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to each said directional transition region effective to transfer particles from a said channel exit to a channel entrance.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 in which each said accelerator stage comprises:

a said core assembly having first and second core components;

said winding assembly including first and second winding components operatively associated with each stage mounted in flux transfer relationship with respective said first and second core components to define two pole faces of opposite polarity;

said first and second core component pole faces being mutually oppositely disposed to define a said channel.

58. The apparatus of claim 56 in which said core assembly is formed of said magnetic material as an integral component having said sequence of channels extending therethrough.

59. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration channel comprises;

a first sequence of adjacent substantially linear accelerator stages from first to last each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

a second sequence of adjacent substantially linear accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said first sequence providing said accelerator input;

the channel exit of said first stage of said first sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said second sequence to define a directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive accelerator stages of respective said first and second sequence of said accelerator stages; and

said apparatus includes a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to said directional transition regions and effective to transfer said energized particles from the said acceleration path defined by one said accelerator stage to the acceleration path of another said accelerator stage.

60. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration channel comprises;

a first sequence of adjacent substantially linear accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having an acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel exit of said first stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with a channel entrance of a next said stage of said first sequence to define a directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive said accelerator stages of said first sequence;

a second sequence of adjacent substantially linear accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having an accelerator channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage of said second sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel exit of said last accelerator stage of said first sequence to define a said directional transition region and the channel exit of said first stage of said second sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of the next adjacent said stage of said second sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive said accelerator stages of said second sequence, the last said accelerator stage acceleration channel exit being at said accelerator output; and

said apparatus includes;

a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to said directional transition regions and effective to transfer said energized particles from the acceleration path defined by one acceleration stage to the acceleration path of another acceleration stage.

61. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said source of particles comprises;

a first source of particle exhibiting a first particle characteristic, and a second source of particles exhibiting a second particle characteristic different from said first particle characteristic;

said acceleration channel comprises;

a first sequence of linear accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having an acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage being a said accelerator input for receiving particles from said first source of particles, the channel exit of said first stage and each next stage until said last stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next said stage of said first sequence to define a directional transition region, and the channel exit of said last stage being a first said accelerator output;

a second sequence of linear accelerator stages from first to last, spaced from said first sequence, each stage of said second sequence having an acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first stage being a said accelerator input for receiving particles from said second source of particles, the channel exit of said first stage and each next stage until said last stage being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next adjacent stage of said second sequence to define a said directional transition region, and the channel exit of said last stage being a second said accelerator output;

said apparatus includes;

a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to said directional transition regions and effective to transfer said energized particles from the acceleration path defined by one acceleration stage to the acceleration path of another acceleration stage; and

a merging stage responsive to said first and second accelerator outputs for merging them into a composite particle beam output.

62. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration channel comprises;

first through n sequences of substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, said accelerator stages of each sequence being substantially radially aligned with and parallel to a longitudinal axis and being mutually radially spaced apart, each of said accelerator stages of each said radially aligned first through n sequences having a linear acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, the channel entrance of said first accelerator stage being said accelerator input, the channel exit of said first accelerator stage and each next accelerator stage, until said last stage, being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of a next said accelerator stage, to define directional transition regions, the channel exit of the last accelerator stage being said accelerator exit; and

said apparatus includes;

a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to said directional transition regions and effective to transfer said energized particles from the acceleration path defined by one acceleration stage to the acceleration path of another acceleration stage.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 in which said first accelerator stage of said first sequence and the last accelerator stage of said nth sequence are disposed radially outermost from said axis.

64. The apparatus of claim 62 in which said acceleration channel includes a common acceleration channel disposed substantially symmetrically about said longitudinal axis and configured to serve as a common acceleration channel for one accelerator stage of each said first through n sequence.

65. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration direction altering channel is incorporated within said spacially constrained configuration in correspondence with directional transition regions; and

said apparatus includes a steering assembly positioned at said directional transition regions to maintain a said path of energized particles within said direction altering channel.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 in which said steering assembly comprises:

a core assembly formed of magnetically responsive material having spaced apart polar-designated pole faces positioned at a directional transaction region;

a source of magnetization magnetically coupled with said core assembly to derive a magnetic field intermediate said pole faces; and

said pole faces being located to intercept energized particles at said directional transition region and cause their directional alteration in conformance with said spacially constrained configuration.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 in which said source of magnetization comprises a permanent magnet deriving said magnetic field at a predetermined field strength corresponding with the level of said energized particles.

68. The apparatus of claim 66 in which said source of magnetism comprises:

a permanent magnet deriving a said magnetic field at a given field strength; and

an electromagnet assembly coupled with said core assembly and selectively energizable to alter said given field strength.

69. The apparatus of claim 67 in which:

said core assembly includes first and second mutually spaced apart extensions, each being magnetically coupled with said permanent magnet assembly in a unique polar sense; and

said electromagnetic assembly comprises a first electromagnetic winding coupled in flux transfer relationship with said first extension and a second electromagnetic winding coupled in flux transfer relationship with said second extension.

70. The apparatus of claim 66 in which said magnetic steering assembly further comprises:

a steering accelerator assembly having an accelerator core assembly with a field-winding excitable with a time varying current; and

a steering-particle-accelerating component formed of magnetic material coupled in flux transfer communication with said accelerator core assembly and having an accelerating surface region in spaced adjacency with said core assembly pole faces and excitable from said winding to carry a magnetic field and derive a crossed electric field for imparting to said particles at a said directional transition region.

71. The apparatus of claim 46 in which:

said acceleration channel has a generally spiral-shaped said channel extending about a generally cylindrically-shaped said core assembly and winding assembly having components located at a central region disposed about a longitudinal axis and extending from said accelerator input to said accelerator output; and

a steering assembly including a spirally-shaped bifurcate magnetic steering core having spaced apart pole faces located in spaced adjacency with said central region to define said generally spiral-shaped channel and effect guidance of said energized particles.

72. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said accelerator channel core assembly defining particle path direction altering channel has a generally circular outer boundary of boundary widthwise dimension disposed about a longitudinal axis and extending from said accelerator input to said accelerator output,

said winding assembly surmounting said core assembly adjacent to and spaced from said outer boundary, said core assembly comprising first to n sequences of dual stages from first to last, each stage having oppositely disposed stage core assemblies with stage field windings excitable from said current source and have pole faces spaced apart at said boundary.

73. The apparatus of claim 46 in which said acceleration channel comprises:

a first sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit;

a second sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage accelerator channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit and each stage being located intermediate and in adjacency with two successive stages of said first sequence of accelerator stages;

a third sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage acceleration channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit, said third sequence being spaced from said first and second sequences;

a fourth sequence of spaced apart substantially linear and parallel accelerator stages from first to last, each stage having a linear stage accelerator channel with a channel entrance and a channel exit and each stage being located intermediate and in adjacency with two successive stages of said third sequence of accelerator stages;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said first sequence providing a first said accelerator input;

the channel entrance of said first stage of said second sequence providing a second said accelerator input;

the channel exit of said first stage of said first sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said third sequence to define a directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive linear accelerator stages of respective said first and third sequences of said accelerator stages; and

the channel exit of said first stage of said second sequence being associated in particle transfer relationship with the channel entrance of said first stage of said fourth sequence to define a said directional transition region, a said directional transition region being defined between successive linear accelerator stages of respective said second and fourth sequences of said accelerator stages; and

said apparatus includes a magnetic steering assembly positioned with respect to each said directional transition region effective to transfer particles from a said channel exit to a channel entrance.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 in which said acceleration channel accelerator output comprises a first accelerator output carrying accelerated particles from said last stage of said third sequence, and a second accelerator output carrying accelerated particles from said last stage of said fourth sequence.

75. The apparatus of claim 74 in which said linear and parallel stages of said first, second, third and fourth stages are arranged in mutually parallel relationship.

79. The method of claim 48 in which said field windings are wound about said first and second support cores.

76. A method for accelerating particles to a given particle utilizing an EH-undulated accelerator structure with an energized particle output direction, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a source of particles;

(b) providing an acceleration channel having a generally curvilinear outer boundary disposed about a longitudinal axis generally parallel with said particle output direction and extending from an entrance region communicating with an accelerator input for receiving particles from said source to an exit region communicating with an accelerator output, a core and winding assembly surmounting said acceleration channel outer boundary and provided as first to n sequences of dual stages from first to last, each stage having oppositely disposed stage core assemblies with stage field windings excitable with a time varying current and having pole faces spaced apart at said boundary, said excitation being effective for each said stage to derive a magnetic field within said core assembly exhibiting a particle turning effect and a corresponding crossed electric field having a particle accelerating vector along said axis for effecting the acceleration of said particles from said entrance region toward said exit region along a curvilinear particle path;

(c) applying time varying currents to said core assembly field windings to effect said curvilinear-propagation; and

(d) directing said particles from said path through said accelerator output as accelerated particles having said particle output direction.

77. The method of claim 76 in which:

said step (b) providing said acceleration channel provides each said core and winding assembly sequence from first to n as mutually oppositely disposed sequence and stage defining core legs formed of magnetic material extending to pole faces located in mutually oppositely facing relationship adjacent said border for deriving components of said electric field, at least one stage component of said field windings being associated in flux transfer relationship with a said core leg of each said stage.

78. The method of claim 77 in which

said step (b) provides each said core and winding assembly sequence as first and second mutually oppositely disposed support cores formed of magnetic material, arranged generally in parallel relationship with said axis and each supporting a plurality of said stage defining core legs.

80. The method of claim 76 in which:

said step (a) providing a source of particles, provides a first source, of particles exhibiting a first particle characteristic, and a second source of particles exhibiting a second particle characteristic different from said first particle characteristic; and

said step (d) directs said particles from said path through said accelerator output as a composite beam of said accelerated particles.

81. The method of claim 80 in which said step (a) provide said first source of particles as positive charge particles and said second source of particles as negative charge particles.

82. The method of claim 76 in which:

said step (b) provides said acceleration channel core and winding assembly as having at least about four said sequences, each said stage of each said sequence being aligned with said axis along a generally common.