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Showing papers on "Linear particle accelerator published in 2021"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: RadiaBeam has developed a flexible linac for electrons and X-rays (FLEX) capable of energy variation from 2 to 9 MeV within a single RF pulse as discussed by the authors.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first dedicated compact $S$-band linear accelerator for FLASH radiotherapy is developed, optimized for a nominal energy of 7 MeV and a pulsed electron beam current of 100 mA and above, mounted on a remote-controlled system for preclinical research studies in the FLASH regime.
Abstract: Radiation therapy is currently the most utilized technique for the treatment of tumors by means of ionizing radiation, such as electrons, protons and x/gamma rays, depending on the type, size and depth of the cancer mass. Radiation therapy has in general fulfilled the main requirement of targeting thus damaging the malignant cells and sparing the healthy tissues as best as possible. In this scenario, electron linear accelerators have been operated as viable tools for the delivery of both high-energetic electrons and x-ray beams, which are obtained via the bremsstrahlung process of the electrons hitting on a high-Z material. Recently, it has been experimentally demonstrated that ultrahigh dose-rate bursts of electrons and x-ray beams increase the differential response between healthy and tumor tissues. This beneficial response is referred to as the FLASH effect. For this purpose, we have developed the first dedicated compact $S$-band linear accelerator for FLASH radiotherapy. This linac is optimized for a nominal energy of 7 MeV and a pulsed electron beam current of 100 mA and above. The accelerator is mounted on a remote-controlled system for preclinical research studies in the FLASH regime. We will show the rf and beam dynamics design of the $S$-band linac as well as the commissioning and high-power rf tests. Furthermore, the results of the dosimetric measurements will be illustrated.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed description of the electron bunching process and practical advice on the design of bunching sections in industrial-grade electron linacs is provided, along with a tutorial review paper.
Abstract: The acceleration of electrons in resonant linear accelerators (linacs) typically consists of three main stages: (1) emission of the electrons from the cathode and their pre-acceleration with a DC field to the energy of tens of keV; (2) grouping the DC electron beam into bunches and their synchronization with the correct phase of high-frequency electromagnetic fields, and (3) accelerating the bunches of relativistic electrons to the required energies. Although many books describe the theoretical and practical aspects of electron linac design, most of them concentrate on beam physics in either the gun stage or in the relativistic regime, while leaving the description of the bunching process rather general. The physics of non-relativistic motion is described in the literature on ion accelerators, but in practice, it cannot be scaled to electron machines due to the significantly different particle mass and acceleration rate, beam velocity change, and frequencies. In this tutorial review paper, we will fill this gap with a detailed description of the bunching process and provide practical advice on the design of bunching sections in industrial-grade electron linacs.

11 citations


Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, a path toward upgrading the Fermilab accelerator complex to bring the beam power for DUNE to 2.4 MW is presented, using a new rapid-cycling synchrotron plus an energy upgrade to the PIP-II linac.
Abstract: The completion of the PIP-II project and its superconducting linear accelerator will provide up to 1.2 MW of beam power to the LBNF/DUNE facility for neutrino physics. It will also be able to produce high-power beams directly from the linac that can be used for lower-energy particle physics experiments as well, such as directing beam toward the Muon Campus at Fermilab for example. Any further significant upgrade of the beam power to DUNE, however, will be impeded by the limitations of the present Booster synchrotron at the facility. To increase the power to DUNE by a factor of two would require a new accelerator arrangement to feed the Main Injector that does not include the Booster. In what follows, a path toward upgrading the Fermilab accelerator complex to bring the beam power for DUNE to 2.4 MW is presented, using a new rapid-cycling synchrotron plus an energy upgrade to the PIP-II linac. The path includes the ability to instigate a new lower-energy, very high-power beam delivery system for experiments that can address much of the science program presented by the Booster Replacement Science Working Group. It also allows for the future possibility to go beyond 2.4 MW up to roughly 4 MW from the Main Injector.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an accelerator concept based on an existing tandem Van de Graaff accelerator and a linac enables focusing of 70 MeV protons to form minibeams with a size of only 0.1 mm for a preclinical small animal irradiation facility, while avoiding the cost of an RFQ injector.
Abstract: Purpose Radiotherapy plays an important role for the treatment of tumor diseases in 2/3 of all cases but it is limited by side effects in the surrounding healthy tissue. Proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT) is a promising option to widen the therapeutic window for tumor control at reduced side effects. An accelerator concept based on an existing tandem Van de Graaff accelerator and a linac enables the focusing of 70 MeV protons to form minibeams with a size of only 0.1 mm for a preclinical small animal irradiation facility, while avoiding the cost of an RFQ injector. Methods The tandem accelerator provides a 16 MeV proton beam with a beam brightness of B = 4 nA mm 2 mrad 2 as averaged from 5 µs long pulses with a flat top current of 17 µA at 200 Hz repetition rate. Subsequently, the protons are accelerated to 70 MeV by a 3 GHz linear post-accelerator consisting of two Side Coupled Drift Tube Linac (SCDTL) structures and 4 Coupled Cavity Linac (CCL) structures (design: AVO-ADAM S.A (Geneva, Switzerland)). A 3 GHz buncher and four magnetic quadrupole lenses are placed between the tandem and the post-accelerator to maximize the transmission through the linac. A quadrupole triplet situated downstream of the linac structure focuses the protons into an area of (0.1 × 0.1) mm2 . The beam-dynamics of the facility is optimized using the particle optics code TRACE 3-D. Proton transmission through the facility is elaborated using the particle tracking code TRAVEL. Results A study about buncher amplitude and phase shift between buncher and linac is showing that 49% of all protons available from the tandem can be transported through the post-accelerator. A mean beam current up to 19 nA is expected within an area of (0.1 × 0.1) mm2 at the beam focus. Conclusion An extension of existing tandem accelerators by commercially available 3 GHz structures is able to deliver a proton minibeam that serves all requirements to obtain proton minibeams to perform preclinical minibeam irradiations as it would be the case for a complete commercial 3 GHz injector-RFQ-linac combination. Due to the modularity of the linac structure, the irradiation facility can be extended to clinically relevant proton energies up to or above 200 MeV.

9 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The GBAR (Gravitational Behaviour of Antihydrogen at Rest) experiment at CERN's Antiproton Decelerator (AD) facility has constructed a source of slow positrons, which uses a low-energy electron linear accelerator (linac).
Abstract: For the GBAR (Gravitational Behaviour of Antihydrogen at Rest) experiment at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator (AD) facility we have constructed a source of slow positrons, which uses a low-energy electron linear accelerator (linac). The driver linac produces electrons of 9 MeV kinetic energy that create positrons from bremsstrahlung-induced pair production. Staying below 10 MeV ensures no persistent radioactive activation in the target zone and that the radiation level outside the biological shield is safe for public access. An annealed tungsten-mesh assembly placed directly behind the target acts as a positron moderator. The system produces 5 × 1 0 7 slow positrons per second, a performance demonstrating that a low-energy electron linac is a superior choice over positron-emitting radioactive sources for high positron flux.

9 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: RadiaBeam as discussed by the authors developed a 6-MeV accelerator that is compact and light enough to be placed on a robotic arm or light truck for cargo inspection and radiotherapy.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a high-gradient structure with a low relativistic proton velocity (β), v/c ǫ = 0.38, was designed, fabricated, and tested at high power.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the beam loading in each of the main linac cavities and achieved a power balance efficiency of 99.4% with per cavity power balances ranging from 99.2 -99.8%.
Abstract: Prior to establishing operation of the world's first multiturn superconducting energy recovery linac, the Cornell-BNL energy recovery test accelerator was configured for one-turn energy recovery. In this setup, direct measurement of the beam loading in each of the main linac cavities demonstrated high energy recovery efficiency. Specifically, a total one-turn power balance efficiency of 99.4%, with per cavity power balances ranging from 99.2--99.8% was measured. When accounting for small particle losses occurring in the path length adjustment sections of the return loop, the per cavity power balances correspond to per cavity single particle energy recovery efficiencies ranging from 99.8 to 100.5%. A maximum current of $70\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{A}$, limited by the an incomplete radiation shielding installation around the main beam stop at the time of these measurements, was energy recovered.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the first results of a collaboration activity between ENEA Frascati Particle Accelerator Laboratory and University La Sapienza Guidance and Navigation Laboratory in the field of Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) for space applications were presented.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a new gas-filled recoil separator SHANS2 (Spectrometer for Heavy Atoms and Nuclear Structure-2) with a total flight length path of 5.85 m at the CAFE2 is designed to synthesize and study the superheavy elements, including their physical and chemical properties.
Abstract: The CAFE2 (China Accelerator Facility for superheavy Elements) is a new facility constructed at IMP-CAS (Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences). It is based on the upgrade of a superconducting linear accelerator. A new gas-filled recoil separator SHANS2 (Spectrometer for Heavy Atoms and Nuclear Structure-2) with a total flight length path of 5.85 m at the CAFE2 is designed to synthesize and study the superheavy elements, including their physical and chemical properties. The maximum acceptable divergence angles of the SHANS2 are ± 70 mrad and ± 113 mrad in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, and the maximum magnetic rigidity is 2.5 Tm. The ion-optical design and simulation are investigated in detail, including the first and the fifth order beam optics. The magnets design and magnetic field calculation are presented. Using the 3D field maps, a multiparticle tracking study is carried out for the design validation, trajectory analysis , and performance evaluation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a support pre-alignment network that acts as a link between the straight reference line and fiducialisation, which can be of interest especially in the field of large scale metrology.
Abstract: Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a study of a 3 TeV linear electron-positron (e+ e-) accelerator and it is a successor candidate for CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC). CLIC luminosity target is 5.9 × 1034 cm−2s−1 , which causes unprecedented pre-alignment requirements of its main linear accelerator (main linac). Along the 50 km long tunnel, the main components of any 200 m long section have to be positioned within 10 μm from a straight reference line. The pre-alignment challenge has been studied at CERN since the 1990s and main technical challenges have been solved. This article summarises the positioning strategy and presents it to an audience outside the particle accelerator community. The methods can be of interest especially in the field of large-scale metrology. The positioning strategy consists of several steps or subsystems. Development of a straight reference line over tens of kilometres allows absolute positioning of accelerator components while a process called fiducialisation defines component reference axes with regards to alignment targets. Emphasis is on a support pre-alignment network that acts as a link between the straight reference line and fiducialisation. The subsystems and remaining challenges in their development are presented. The chosen strategy's potential is demonstrated experimentally by building a short test setup.

Posted Content
TL;DR: A recent review as mentioned in this paper discusses the recent progress toward controlling electron beam distributions on the "mesoscopic" scale with an emphasis on shaping the beam or introducing complex correlations required for some applications.
Abstract: Modern electron linear accelerators are often designed to produce smooth bunch distributions characterized by their macroscopic ensemble-average moments. However, an increasing number of accelerator applications call for finer control over the beam distribution, e.g., by requiring specific shapes for its projection along one coordinate. Ultimately, the control of the beam distribution at the single-particle level could enable new opportunities in accelerator science. This review discusses the recent progress toward controlling electron beam distributions on the "mesoscopic" scale with an emphasis on shaping the beam or introducing complex correlations required for some applications. This review emphasizes experimental and theoretical developments of electron-bunch shaping methods based on bounded external electromagnetic fields or via interactions with the self-generated velocity and radiation fields.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an external injection from a conventional linear accelerator into a laser wakefield accelerator and subsequent acceleration without any significant loss of charge, which is achieved by properly shaping and matching the beam into the plasma structure.
Abstract: Plasma-based accelerators driven by either intense lasers1 or charged particle beams2 can accelerate electrons or positrons with extremely high gradients compared with conventional radio-frequency accelerators. For their use as next-generation light sources and in energy frontier colliders3, beams with good stability, high quality, controllable polarization and excellent reproducibility4,5 are required. The accelerated electrons can be either internally injected directly from the background plasma or externally injected from conventional accelerators. Despite significant progress6–14, the beam properties obtained with the internal injection scheme fall short of simultaneously reaching these requirements. In contrast, such high-property beams are routinely generated from conventional accelerators. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate the injection from a conventional accelerator into a plasma-based machine followed by further acceleration of the beam. Here we report the demonstration of external injection from a conventional linear accelerator into a laser wakefield accelerator and subsequent acceleration without any significant loss of charge, which is achieved by properly shaping and matching the beam into the plasma structure. The experimental results, combined with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, indicate that this is possible with modest degradation in the beam quality. This work is an important step towards realizing a high-throughput, multistage, high-energy, hybrid conventional-plasma-based accelerator. Previously, injections from a conventional accelerator into a plasma-based one suffered from low coupling efficiencies. Now electron bunches are injected with an efficiency of nearly 100% into a laser wakefield accelerator without loss of charge.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the beam distribution is not affected by the phase loop with a new algorithm and the beam loss is smaller than the original one, thus the RCS transmission efficiency arrives mostly at 100 %.
Abstract: The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is a high intensity proton accelerator-based facility, and its accelerator complex includes two main parts: a H- linac and a rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS). The RCS accumulates the 80 MeV proton beam, and accelerates it to 1.6 GeV, with a repetition rate of 25 Hz. The beam commissioning of RCS began in May, 2017 and reached the target beam power of 100 kW in February, 2020. The longitudinal beam dynamics study plays the key role in the commissioning. The study and optimization include the synchronicity between the ramping magnet field and the RF system, the mitigation of the high intensity effects to minimize the beam loss and the measurement of the longitudinal dynamics. Through the optimization of the bunch factor, the strong space charge effects with high intensity is mitigated, thus the RCS transmission efficiency arrives mostly at 100 %. The beam distribution is not affected by the phase loop with a new algorithm and the beam loss is smaller than the original one. The beam commissioning in longitudinal plane is reviewed in the paper.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an S-band high-gradient accelerating structure for a proton therapy linear accelerator (linac) is designed for the new development of compact, single-room facilities and ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a robust, easy-to-use device for non-interceptive monitoring of potential variations in the electron beam energy during every linac macro-pulse of an irradiation run is described.
Abstract: When relativistic electrons are used to irradiate tissues, such as during FLASH pre-clinical irradiations, the electron beam energy is one of the critical parameters that determine the dose distribution. Moreover, during such irradiations, linear accelerators (linacs) usually operate with significant beam loading, where a small change in the accelerator output current can lead to beam energy reduction. Optimisation of the tuning of the accelerator's radio frequency system is often required. We describe here a robust, easy-to-use device for non-interceptive monitoring of potential variations in the electron beam energy during every linac macro-pulse of an irradiation run. Our approach monitors the accelerated electron fringe beam using two unbiased aluminium annular charge collection plates, positioned in the beam path and with apertures (5 cm in diameter) for the central beam. These plates are complemented by two thin annular screening plates to eliminate crosstalk and equalise the capacitances of the charge collection plates. The ratio of the charge picked up on the downstream collection plate to the sum of charges picked up on the both plates is sensitive to the beam energy and to changes in the energy spectrum shape. The energy sensitivity range is optimised to the investigated beam by the choice of thickness of the first plate. We present simulation and measurement data using electrons generated by a nominal 6 MeV energy linac as well as information on the design, the practical implementation and the use of this monitor.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a guide for large-scale realignment problems that involve surveying, outlier analysis, fiducialization, boundary conditions, solution/optimization of reference-networks, and physical realignment of the components.
Abstract: MAX IV Laboratory is the Swedish national particle accelerator that currently provides the world’s most brilliant X-rays for research. MAX IV Laboratory has two storage rings as well as a 300-meter linear accelerator with hundreds of components not only to be relatively aligned with tight tolerances but also to be absolutely aligned with respect to the global coordinate system of the facility. An advanced particle accelerator of this kind requires high-precision alignment of all its sensitive components through a multiple-stage process. We recognized the need for a full realignment of the linear accelerator due to the beam-based measurements done by our accelerator scientists as well as the expected alignment deflections since its initial alignment in 2015. Partial realignment of an operational facility – in this case, the realignment of the entire linear accelerator – involves serious risks, as it must precisely maintain its consistency with the storage rings and the beamlines of the facility that are already aligned and operational. This paper serves as a guide for large-scale realignment problems that involve surveying, outlier analysis, fiducialization, boundary conditions, solution/optimization of reference-networks, and physical realignment of the components. This work took place over 2 years, where the entire realignment process was successfully carried out and finally verified.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the dispersion of low-energy electrons and positrons may be affected by fringe magnetic fields near the entrance of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Electron Positron Proton Spectrometers (EPPS).
Abstract: Electron-positron pairs, produced in intense laser-solid interactions, are diagnosed using magnetic spectrometers with image plates, such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Electron Positron Proton Spectrometers (EPPS). Although modeling can help infer the quantitative value, the accuracy of the models needs to be verified to ensure measurement quality. The dispersion of low-energy electrons and positrons may be affected by fringe magnetic fields near the entrance of the EPPS. We have calibrated the EPPS with six electron beams from a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator (linac) ranging in energy from $2.7$--$15.2$ $\mathrm{MeV}$ as they enter the spectrometer. A Geant4 TOPAS Monte-Carlo simulation was set up to match depth dose curves and lateral profiles measured in water at $100$ $\mathrm{cm}$ source-surface distance. An accurate relationship was established between the bending magnet current setting and the energy of the electron beam at the exit window. The simulations and measurements were used to determine the energy distributions of the six electron beams at the EPPS slit. Analysis of the scanned image plates together with the determined energy distribution arriving in the spectrometer provide improved dispersion curves for the EPPS.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the dispersion of low-energy electrons and positrons may be affected by fringe magnetic fields near the entrance of the National Ignition Facility Electron-Positron-Proton Spectrometers (EPPSs).
Abstract: Electron–positron pairs, produced in intense laser–solid interactions, are diagnosed using magnetic spectrometers with image plates, such as the National Ignition Facility Electron–Positron–Proton Spectrometers (EPPSs). Although modeling can help infer the quantitative value, the accuracy of the models needs to be verified to ensure measurement quality. The dispersion of low-energy electrons and positrons may be affected by fringe magnetic fields near the entrance of the EPPS. We have calibrated the EPPS with six electron beams from a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator (linac) ranging in energy from 2.7 MeV to 15.2 MeV as they enter the spectrometer. A Geant4 Tool for Particle Simulation Monte Carlo simulation was set up to match depth dose curves and lateral profiles measured in water at 100 cm source–surface distance. An accurate relationship was established between the bending magnet current setting and the energy of the electron beam at the exit window. The simulations and measurements were used to determine the energy distributions of the six electron beams at the EPPS slit. Analysis of the scanned image plates together with the determined energy distribution arriving in the spectrometer provides improved dispersion curves for the EPPS.

Posted Content
TL;DR: To show the feasibility of the AM process, a prototype RFQ section has been designed, corresponding to one-quarter of a 750 MHz 4-vane RFQ, which was optimised for production with state-of-art Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology, and then manufactured in pure copper.
Abstract: Continuous developments in Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies are opening opportunities in novel machining, and improving design alternatives for modern particle accelerator components. One of the most critical, complex, and delicate accelerator elements to manufacture and assemble is the Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator, used as an injector for all large modern proton and ion accelerator systems. For this reason, the RFQ has been selected by a wide European collaboration participating in the AM developments of the I.FAST (Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology) Horizon 2020 project. RFQ is as an excellent candidate to show how sophisticated pure-copper accelerator components can be manufactured by AM and how their functionalities can be boosted by this evolving technology. To show the feasibility of the AM process, a prototype RFQ section has been designed, corresponding to one-quarter of a 750 MHz 4-vane RFQ, which was optimised for production with state-of-art Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology, and then manufactured in pure copper. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first RFQ section manufactured in the world by AM. Subsequently, geometrical precision and surface roughness of the prototype were measured. The results obtained are encouraging and confirm the feasibility of AM manufactured high-tech accelerator components. It has been also confirmed that the RFQ geometry, in particular the critical electrode modulation and the complex cooling channels, can be successfully realised thanks to the opportunities provided by the AM technology. Further prototypes will aim to improve surface roughness and to test vacuum properties. In parallel, laboratory measurements will start to test and improve the voltage holding properties of AM manufactured electrode samples.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An electron-scattering device was fabricated to practically use the ultra-high dose rate electron beams for the FLASH preclinical research in Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences with a 6-MeV linear accelerator using the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code.

DOI
11 Oct 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the first radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator was constructed using additive manufacturing (AM) technology, corresponding to one-quarter of a 750 MHz 4-vane RFQ, which was optimized for production with state-of-the-art laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology.
Abstract: Continuous developments in additive manufacturing (AM) technology are opening up opportunities in novel machining, and improving design alternatives for modern particle accelerator components. One of the most critical, complex, and delicate accelerator elements to manufacture and assemble is the radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator, which is used as an injector for all large modern proton and ion accelerator systems. For this reason, the RFQ has been selected by a wide European collaboration participating in the AM developments of the I.FAST (Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology) Horizon 2020 project. The RFQ is as an excellent candidate to show how sophisticated pure copper accelerator components can be manufactured by AM and how their functionalities can be boosted by this evolving technology. To show the feasibility of the AM process, a prototype RFQ section has been designed, corresponding to one-quarter of a 750 MHz 4-vane RFQ, which was optimised for production with state-of-the-art laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology, and then manufactured in pure copper. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first RFQ section manufactured in the world by AM. Subsequently, geometrical precision and surface roughness of the prototype were measured. The results obtained are encouraging and confirm the feasibility of AM manufactured high-tech accelerator components. It has been also confirmed that the RFQ geometry, particularly the critical electrode modulation and the complex cooling channels, can be successfully realised thanks to the opportunities provided by the AM technology. Further prototypes will aim to improve surface roughness and to test vacuum properties. In parallel, laboratory measurements will start to test and improve the voltage holding properties of AM manufactured electrode samples.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, two families of data-driven surrogate models, based on deep and invertible neural networks, are introduced for multi-objective optimization of particle accelerators.
Abstract: Particle accelerators are enabling tools for scientific exploration and discovery in various disciplines. However, finding optimised operation points for these complex machines is a challenging task due to the large number of parameters involved and the underlying non-linear dynamics. Here, we introduce two families of data-driven surrogate models, based on deep and invertible neural networks, that can replace the expensive physics computer models. These models are employed in multi-objective optimisations to find Pareto optimal operation points for two fundamentally different types of particle accelerators. Our approach reduces the time-to-solution for a multi-objective accelerator optimisation up to a factor of 640 and the computational cost up to 98%. The framework established here should pave the way for future online and real-time multi-objective optimisation of particle accelerators.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results presented in the Letter fully validate the possibility to produce and utilize high-quality multiple-charge-state heavy-ion beams in a large-scale superconducting linac to increase the available beam power on an isotope production target.
Abstract: Experimental studies of the simultaneous acceleration of three-charge-state $^{129}{\mathrm{Xe}}^{49+,50+,51+}$ beam from 17 to $180\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{nucleon}$ in a superconducting linear accelerator are presented. The beam parameters for each individual- and multiple-charge-state beam were measured and compared with the particle tracking simulations. Detailed measurements were performed to characterize the multiple-charge-state beam's recombination after a second-order achromat and isopath 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} bending system. As a result of the recombination of three charge states in the six-dimensional phase space, the xenon beam intensity was increased by 2.5-fold compared to the single-charge-state beam. The results presented in the Letter fully validate the possibility to produce and utilize high-quality multiple-charge-state heavy-ion beams in a large-scale superconducting linac to increase the available beam power on an isotope production target.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The measurement theory and production model for bunch length, energy spread and chirp, as well as correlations are described and the method is validated using numerical simulations of state-of-the-art LINACs with a reference simulation code showing a typical accuracy in the few percent levels.
Abstract: In high-brightness electron linear accelerators (LINACs), the particle bunch length is measured by a radio frequency deflector (RFD). The electron bunch is deflected vertically toward a screen and its length can be obtained using vertical spot size measurements after a proper calibration, e.g., measuring the vertical bunch centroid while varying the deflecting voltage phase. The energy parameters of the bunch (the energy chirp and the energy spread) and the correlation between particle positions, divergences, and energies contribute to the bunch vertical dimension at the screen position after the RFD and so far were considered as a source of systematic errors in a bunch length measurement. The measurement theory and production model for bunch length, energy spread and chirp, as well as correlations are described. As usual in particle accelerators physics, the method is validated using numerical simulations of state-of-the-art LINACs with a reference simulation code showing a typical accuracy in the few percent levels.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the design, fabrication, RF measurement, and high-power test of a prototype accelerator, such as 11.424 GHz with 12 cells, and a traveling wave of two halves.

DOI
01 Aug 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present design and beam dynamics simulation results, up to the cooling section, and discuss the challenges of the accelerator design and the R&D topics being pursued.
Abstract: The Electron Ion Collider (EIC) will achieve a luminosity of 1034 cm−2s−1 by incorporating strong hadron cooling to counteract hadron Intra-Beam Scattering, using a coherent electron cooling scheme. An accelerator will deliver the beams with key parameters, such as 1 nC bunch charge and 0.01 % energy spread. The paper presents design and beam dynamics simulation results, up to the cooling section. The challenges of the accelerator design, and the R&D topics being pursued are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a 9.3 GHz X-band linear accelerator was developed for high-precision radiotherapy, which can accelerate an electron beam to more than 6 MeV and produce a beam current of more than 90 mA.
Abstract: Purpose Recently, high-precision radiotherapy systems have been developed by integrating computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to enhance the precision of radiotherapy. For integration with additional imaging systems in a limited space, miniaturization and weight reduction of the linear accelerator (linac) system have become important. The aim of this work is to develop a compact medical linac based on 9.3 GHz X-band RF technology instead of the S-band RF technology typically used in the radiotherapy field. Methods The accelerating tube was designed by 3D finite-difference time-domain and particle-in-cell simulations because the frequency variation resulting from the structural parameters and processing errors is relatively sensitive to the operating performance of the X-band linac. Through the 3D simulation of the electric field distribution and beam dynamics process, we designed an accelerating tube to efficiently accelerate the electron beam and used a magnetron as the RF source to miniaturize the entire linac. In addition, a side-coupled structure was adopted to design a compact linac to reduce the RF power loss. To verify the performance of the linac, we developed a beam diagnostic system to analyze the electron beam characteristics and a quality assurance (QA) experimental environment including 3D lateral water phantoms to analyze the primary performance parameters (energy, dose rate, flatness, symmetry, and penumbra) The QA process was based on the standard protocols AAPM TG-51, 106, 142 and IAEA TRS-398. Results The X-band linac has high shunt impedance and electric field strength. Therefore, even though the length of the accelerating tube is 37 cm, the linac could accelerate an electron beam to more than 6 MeV and produce a beam current of more than 90 mA. The transmission ratio is measured to be approximately 30% ~ 40% when the electron gun operates in the constant emission region. The percent depth dose ratio at the measured depths of 10 and 20 cm was approximately 0.572, so we verified that the photon beam energy was matched to approximately 6 MV. The maximum dose rate was measured as 820 cGy/min when the source-to-skin distance was 80 cm. The symmetry was smaller than the QA standard and the flatness had a higher than standard value due to the flattening filter-free beam characteristics. In the case of the penumbra, it was not sufficiently steep compared to commercial equipment, but it could be compensated by improving additional devices such as multileaf collimator and jaw. Conclusions A 9.3 GHz X-band medical linac was developed for high-precision radiotherapy. Since a more precise design and machining process are required for X-band RF technology, this linac was developed by performing a 3D simulation and ultraprecision machining. The X-band linac has a short length and a compact volume, but it can generate a validated therapeutic beam. Therefore, it has more flexibility to be coupled with imaging systems such as CT or MRI and can reduce the bore size of the gantry. In addition, the weight reduction can improve the mechanical stiffness of the unit and reduce the mechanical load.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the management status of radioactive components occurred from medical linacs in Korea and the activation of each part of the discarded Elekta linac using a survey meter and portable High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector.