Optical remote diagnostics of atmospheric propagating beams of ionizing radiation

Abstract

Data is obtained for use in diagnosing the characteristics of a beam of ionizing radiation, such as charged particle beams, neutral particle beams, and gamma ray beams. In one embodiment the beam is emitted through the atmosphere and produces nitrogen fluorescence during passage through air. The nitrogen fluorescence is detected along the beam path to provide an intensity from which various beam characteristics can be calculated from known tabulations. Optical detecting equipment is preferably located orthogonal to the beam path at a distance effective to include the entire beam path in the equipment field of view.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for obtaining data useful in diagnosing the characteristics of a beam of ionizing radiation defining a beam path when emitted into the atmosphere, comprising the steps of: defining a selected fluorescence optical interaction of said beam in atmosphere;   positioning a detector effective to detect said selected optical interaction at a location along said beam path effective to observe at least a portion of said beam path; and   detecting said selected optical interaction produced by a pulse of said particle beam along said at least a portion of said beam path.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said beam of ionizing radiation is a relativistic electron beam. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said selected optical interaction is nitrogen fluorescence from atmospheric collisions of said electron beam. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, wherein positioning said detector includes the step of locating said detector at a distance orthogonal to said beam path effective for said at least a portion of said beam path to be within field of view of said detector. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said at least a portion of said beam path includes the entire beam path. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein positioning said detector includes the step of locating said detector at an angle relative to said beam line effective for a field of view of said detector to include the entire length of said beam path. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 1, wherein detecting said selected interaction includes the steps of: filtering emissions from said beam path with an interference filter for said selected interaction; and   limiting the field of view of said detector to preclude angled transmissions through said interference filter of events which do not arise from said selected interaction.   
     
     
       8. A method for obtaining data useful in diagnosing the characteristics of a relativistic electron beam defining a beam path when emitted into the atmosphere, including the steps of: positioning a detector at a location effective to include at least a portion of said beam path within a field of view of said detector; and   detecting optical fluorescence from selected spectral events during passage of said electron beam through said atmosphere.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said spectral event is nitrogen fluorescence at a wavelength of 337.1 nm or 391.4 nm. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9, wherein detecting optical fluorescence includes the steps of: filtering emissions from said beam path with an interference filter to detect only said fluorescence at 337.1 nm or 391.4 nm; and   limiting the field of view of said detector to preclude angled transmissions through said interference filters at wavelengths other than 337.1 nm or 391.4 nm.   
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10, wherein positioning said detector includes the step of locating said detector path at a distance orthogonal to said beam path. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 10, wherein positioning said detector includes the step of locating said detector at an angle relative to said beam path effective for said field of view of said detector to include the entire length of said beam path.