As part of the Medical Applications Programme at CERN, a novel very compact radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator has been designed. Operating at a frequency of 750 MHz and having adapted beam optics, this RFQ can reach an energy of 5 MeV over a distance of 2 m. It is a suitable alternative to cyclotrons for use in medical applications, for example as an injector for higher energy linacs or as a standalone accelerator for radioisotope production.
First prototype is being manufactured. Beam tests scheduled for 2016.
Advantages & Applications
Advantages
- Modular, permitting cascading of several RFQ modules and integration into larger accelerating structure
- Very compact
- No shielding required
Applications
- Linac-based proton therapy facilities
- PET isotope production
- Technetium production for SPECT tomography
- Brachytherapy
- Material analysis
Specifications
Operating at a frequency of 750 MHz and having adapted beam optics, this RFQ can reach an energy of 5 MeV over a distance of 2 m.
Licensing
Patented; available for licensing