Undergrad Is this Linear Accelerator Design Valid?

[Invictos]

Good Evening Everyone,

A group of friends and I were having a mini-contest, to see who could theoretically make anti-matter using the most simplistic design in terms of cost and general complexity. The obvious choice for us was the Positron, due to low energy requirements on all fronts. One of us came across this idea, and we aren't sure if it would work or not... could somebody confirm either way?

Essentially, the idea is to use a linear accelerator, but instead of using radio waves (which would be difficult to do on a budget), using Van de Graff generators of decreasing size, in effect causing the difference potential to be the driving force. Multiple generators are there to ensure the beam goes where it should.

Another way to describe it is as a Cockcroft Walton Accelerator, but instead of using transformers and capacitors, this uses Van de Graff generators for its electrons - It's hard to describe, see attached for a better image...

Thoughts? Could this rag-tag machine produce positrons? How would you go about designing a low-cost positron maker?

Feel free to ask any questions, this was a rough description,
Yours in Science,
Invicto

 

[ZapperZ]

I think that you got a bit confused here.

None of these are positron SOURCES. What you are "designing" is an accelerating device, which will be for either electrons or positrons. These devices produce the accelerating field gradients. They don't create positrons, or electrons for that matter.

Zz.

 

[mfb]

I think that you got a bit confused here.

None of these are positron SOURCES. What you are "designing" is an accelerating device, which will be for either electrons or positrons. These devices produce the accelerating field gradients. They don't create positrons, or electrons for that matter.

Zz.

I think the goal is to produce positrons (and electrons) in the target.

A few high-resistance resistors would allow to get intermediate voltages for acceleration, and I would not expect magnets to help much here. I'm not sure if you need that at all if you get a reasonable beam from the electron source.