Technical Paper Abstract

Compact Proton Linac Systems for Medical and Industrial Applications^*

Donald A. Swenson
Linac Systems, L.L.C

Compact proton linac-based systems for the production of radioisotopes for the PET and SPECT medical applications, epithermal neutrons for the BNCT medical application, and thermal neutrons for the NDT and TNA industrial applications are under development at Linac Systems. Based on the latest development in linac technology, the revolutionary RFD Linac Structure, these compact units offer unprecedented performance and economy. The RFD (Rf-Focused Drift-tube) Linac Structure resembles the drift tube linac (DTL) with rf quadrupole (RFQ) focusing incorporated into each drift tube. It offers the possibility of higher frequency operation with significantly higher rf power efficiency. The isotope production unit is a 12-MeV proton linac with an average beam current of 100 mA. The neutron beam unit is a 2.5-MeV proton linac with an average beam current of 10 mA. Although these two units are very different in beam energies, peak rf and beam powers, and field gradients, they are similar in their overall size (~3-m long), weight (<1.5 tons), and cost (~$1M). While still under development, these projections are based on well-established accelerator development procedures.

* Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).