How Can I Create a Small Pinhole Collimator for High Energy Particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation of a small pinhole collimator for high-energy particles, specifically focusing on the challenges of constructing a 0.1mm pinhole in a thick plate to achieve the desired energy resolution in a spectrometer. Participants explore various methods and considerations related to the design and material constraints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a 0.1mm pinhole in a 50mm thick plate for energy resolution but questions the feasibility of drilling such a small hole.
  • Another participant proposes using two 1mm plates spaced 50mm apart as an alternative to a solid 50mm plate.
  • A participant emphasizes the need to stop 100 MeV protons, arguing that a 1mm plate would not suffice.
  • Concerns are raised about the precision of stacking multiple 1mm plates compared to drilling a small hole in a thicker plate.
  • One participant mentions the importance of alignment and machining tolerances when drilling small holes in thick materials.
  • A suggestion is made to consider two sets of collimators, one vertical and one horizontal, with plates positioned closely together.
  • Another approach discussed involves calculating proton scattering in a 1mm plate and using thicker plates with larger holes behind it to capture scattered particles.
  • A later reply expresses satisfaction with the idea of using a pair of slits, indicating it as a robust solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to creating the pinhole collimator, with no consensus reached on a single method. Multiple competing ideas are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to machining precision, alignment, and the effectiveness of different plate configurations in stopping high-energy particles. The discussion does not resolve these technical challenges.

1Keenan
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Hello,

I would need to use a 0.1mm pinhole upstream a spectrometer. I need it so small because of the energy resolution.
Now, the point is that this small hole should be in a 50mm thick plate (or thicker if the plate is not stainless steal). In general the minimum hole diameter that can be drilled on a plate is 0.1*thickness so how to solve the problem?
The simplest way would be stacking together several plates of 1mm, but I'm not sure it could be very precise.
I was thinking about using injector for fuel, like those used in scooters. They are calibrated, so it might work, but I cannot find the tech drawings and I would like to see them first.
Any other suggestion?

Thanks
F.
 
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Why the solid 50 mm ? Two 1 mm plates 50 mm apart should do the trick.
 
no really, I need to stop 100 MeV protons and maybe higher energy, they would pass 1mm plate...
 
My bad: memory serves badly. @mfb ?
 
1Keenan said:
The simplest way would be stacking together several plates of 1mm, but I'm not sure it could be very precise

Why would this be worse than trying to drill a 100 micron hole in a 2 inch plate?
 
because of the alignment: machining and tolerances should be very strict and there is always and error.
BTW it is not possible to drill 0.1 hole in a 2inch plante, i need to find a better idea to do it
 
Do you have enough space for two sets of collimators, one vertical one horizontal? Both can be pairs of 5 cm plates 0.1 mm apart. That would be the usual approach in accelerators.

If that doesn't work, just two plates fit together with some of the surface material scratched off to make a gap?

Yet another approach: Calculate how much the protons scatter in a 1 mm plate. Make one or two 1mm plates with a tiny hole, then make thicker plates with larger hole diameters behind it. Most particles that don't hit the small hole will get scattered and then end up in the plates even with the larger holes.
 
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I should have enough space for 100mm long pair of slits, I think this approach is the most affective, thank you!
Very simple idea, very robust solution!
 
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