Craig S. Nunan

History of microwave electron linear accelerators for radiotherapy.

Some of the far reaching contributions of Henry S. Kaplan are described which helped launch the development, improvement, and widespread use of microwave electron linear accelerators in radiotherapy. These are presented in historical relationship to the fundamental inventions and developments upon which modern medical accelerator technology is based.

A Positron Linear Accelerator Design

A 450 Mev electron 350 Mev positron linear accelerator system is described which has been designed as an injector for a storage ring. Several positron containment systems are considered and a stepped solenoidal magnetic field is chosen as optimum with the converter immersed in the high magnetic field. The parameters of this system are derived for maximum positron beam within specified energy spread and emittance. Performance is reported for initial operation at 40 Mev positron energy.

Design and performance criteria for medical electron accelerators

Abstract A brief comparison is made of the design and performance of early and modern isocentric microwave linear accelerators for radiotherapy. Generally accepted criteria for the design of current machines are presented, along with a rationale for their selection. The current development of international standards for safety and performance of medical electron accelerators is reviewed.

Microwave Electron Accelerators in the Medium Energy Range

Microwave electron accelerators in the 3 MeV to 1 GeV range are being developed and produced for a variety of applications. Clinically useful X-ray, electron, neutron and pion beams can be produced for cancer therapy. Processing machines can provide electron and X-ray beams for the chemical, plastics and food industries. CW and high duty cycle accelerators are being studied and developed for research in nuclear physics. Low and medium duty cycle accelerators are being built for storage ring and synchrotron injection, neutron spectroscopy, biology and a variety of other research uses. Current design concepts for these and other applications are described.