Abstract: Apparatus for irradiating a substrate is compact, transportable, rugged, high powered, and highly efficient. It includes an improved high voltage inductor (1-230), an improved power transfer apparatus (230-294), an improved voltage multiplication apparatus (500-575), an improved auxiliary power supply (600-619) for the voltage multiplication apparatus, improved accessibility self-shielding (700), and improved methods for radiation processing of solid or liquid materials.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator has an accelerator tube consisting essentially of metal and ceramic components which are fused directly to each other and a transmission window generally rectangular in shape when viewed in the direction of the electron beam and is convex towards the vacuum chamber with a radius of curvature which is at most twice the width of the rectangle when measured in the absence of a pressure differential across the window. The electron beam accelerator is particularly suitable for use as a liquid material processor. The preferred transmission window of the accelerator of the invention can withstand energy transfer rates of at least 1500 watts per gram of the window material to which the energy is transferred. Certain embodiments are especially suitable for irradiating fluids to higher doses or for irradiating liquids containing suspended solids or slurries. A mobile transporter enabling relocation of the liquid material processor between process sites is also described.

Abstract: A scanning system (25) for controlling a scanning servo (28,30) includes a scanning signal generator (50) which generates (51) a series of square wave scan signals, a pulse signal generator which generates (52) a pattern of pulses having short durations relative to the scan signal from the first generator, the generators being synchronized, and the scan signals and pulses then being separately applied to the scanner servo (30) to control it such that the resulting scanning behavior of the servo corresponds to the scan signals modified by the pattern of pulses.

Abstract: A particle accelerator has a transmission window formed of a thin homogeneous foil having a predetermined thickness and having a predetermined length, and when laid fiat as a sheet having a transverse dimension. The window is formed to have a locus of a curve in cross section along the transverse dimension such that a radius of curvature of at least a portion of the curve in cross section is less than the length of the transverse dimension. Longitudinal channel and tubular shapes are preferred. Window cooling by gaseous and liquid fluid flows is also described. A transmission window assembly and a particle beam accelerator having an efficient rugged accelerator tube structure are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly irradiating a strand of plastic material by twisting the strand as it is advanced in a plurality of paths transverse to an electron beam. A set of pinch rolls are positioned on opposites ends of the electron beam generator to advance and twist the strand. Lift cams periodically release the twist on the strand at positions of maximum twist by forcing the pinch rolls apart. Each set of pinch rolls includes upper and lower rolls adjacent a medial roll which, in turn, is driven in alternating axial directions to impart twist to the strand. The medial rolls are driven in alternating axial directions by a cammed surface thereon and a cam follower and synchronized to move 180.degree. out of phase from each other. A series of three spaced apart idler rolls are also provided to form a tandem figure-eight pattern in side view for the strand to compensate for reel set in the strand.

Abstract: A method for irradiating a workpiece, such as a strand, by charged particle, e.g.