| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
09 Feb 2006 07:39:14 AM |
| Object: |
quesetino about ion 'beams' |
Hi all...
I was wondering if someone could point me to a resource (or provide a
brief explanation) of the physical properties of an ion beam. I'm sure
they come in all shapes and sizes, i'm thinking of something on the
smaller end of the scale (e.g. an ion equivalent of a laser pointer).
What happens to the beam as it travels through the atmosphere? Does it
just dissipate, and if so, would a low powered beam have a range
expressed in inches, feet, miles? Is the beam affected in any
non-negligible way by typical environmental factors such as gravity,
air currents, humidity, etc? Again, i know there are no specific
answers to many of these questions, but what is the typical velocity of
the ions?
I feel like a kindergartner asking about open heart surgery, it's just
something that i'm curious about and don't really see many articles for
the layperson.
Thanks!!!
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| User: "Ian Parker" |
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| Title: Re: quesetino about ion 'beams' |
09 Feb 2006 08:19:33 AM |
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What happens to the beam as it travels through the atmosphere? Does it
just dissipate, and if so, would a low powered beam have a range
expressed in inches, feet, miles?
It will tend to dissipate. Alpha particles (Helium nuclei) are a kind
of ion. Penetrating power at atmospheric density is loww. Positive ios
tens to lose energy at a constant rate. A low powered beam has a range
of 1cm or less.
Again, i know there are no specific
answers to many of these questions, but what is the typical velocity of the ions?
Are you taling about radioactive materials, cosmic rays or the ions in
a space propulsion system. The velocity of the ions is the same as
that of specific impulse (20-50 km/s). Cosmic rays tend to travel close
to the speed of light.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: quesetino(?) about ion 'beams' |
10 Feb 2006 01:18:01 PM |
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Man did i hammer the subject!
Ian Parker wrote:
It will tend to dissipate. Alpha particles (Helium nuclei) are a kind
of ion. Penetrating power at atmospheric density is loww. Positive ios
tens to lose energy at a constant rate. A low powered beam has a range
of 1cm or less.
Wow! That's cool info...i was thinking on the order of hundreds of
meters...way off. :) Would this be a milliwatt kind of power level?
Also, what saps the ions of their energy? Mundane collisions with
atmospheric stuff or some magical force i'm not familiar with?
Are you taling about radioactive materials, cosmic rays or the ions in
a space propulsion system. The velocity of the ions is the same as
that of specific impulse (20-50 km/s). Cosmic rays tend to travel close
to the speed of light.
I would say ions in a space propulsion system in that they are ionised
and accelerated (and collimated and filterd i guess) artificially
(right?).
Thanks for the info!!!
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| User: "Ian Parker" |
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| Title: Re: quesetino(?) about ion 'beams' |
11 Feb 2006 07:16:24 AM |
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Think of your smoke detector. This contains Am242 which is
alpha/spontaneous fission. The radiation fills the ionisation chamber
but does not go outside. You are safe within your home - but be careful
how you dispose of it!
I would say ions in a space propulsion system in that they are ionised
and accelerated (and collimated and filterd i guess) artificially (right?).
In fact generally speaking you have a DC voltage and the field within
the plates sets the direction.
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