Abstract: Some embodiments include operation of an accelerator waveguide to accelerate particles to a first energy within the waveguide, wherein a prebuncher coupled to the waveguide outputs particle bunches having a first phase, change of a phase at which particle bunches will be output from the prebuncher from the first phase to a second phase, and operation of the accelerator waveguide to accelerate particles to a second energy within the waveguide, wherein the prebuncher outputs particle bunches having the second phase. Further aspects provide change of a resonant frequency of the prebuncher from a first frequency to a second frequency. According to still further aspects, the prebuncher includes a prebuncher cavity and change of the resonant frequency comprises change of a shape of the prebuncher cavity.

Abstract: Some embodiments include operation of an accelerator waveguide to accelerate particles to a first energy within the waveguide, wherein a prebuncher coupled to the waveguide outputs particle bunches having a first phase, change of a phase at which particle bunches will be output from the prebuncher from the first phase to a second phase, and operation of the accelerator waveguide to accelerate particles to a second energy within the waveguide, wherein the prebuncher outputs particle bunches having the second phase. Further aspects provide change of a resonant frequency of the prebuncher from a first frequency to a second frequency. According to still further aspects, the prebuncher includes a prebuncher cavity and change of the resonant frequency comprises change of a shape of the prebuncher cavity.

Abstract: A device for use in a linear accelerator operable to accelerate charged particles along a beam axis is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of monolithic members connected to form a series of accelerating cavities aligned along the beam axis and coupling cavities. Each of the coupling cavities intersects with adjacent accelerating cavities at first and second coupling apertures. The first and second coupling apertures have different sizes.

Abstract: A device for use in a linear accelerator operable to accelerate charged particles along a beam axis is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of monolithic members connected to form a series of accelerating cavities aligned along the beam axis and coupling cavities. Each of the coupling cavities intersects with adjacent accelerating cavities at first and second coupling apertures. The first and second coupling apertures have different sizes.

Abstract: A standing wave linear accelerator with a prebunching section and an accelerating section that are formed into a unitary accelerating structure is described. The prebunching section is configured to group charged particles into bunches by velocity modulation of the charged particle beam. The accelerating section has a plurality of inter-coupled resonant cavities, including an input cavity that is coupled to the prebunching section and an output cavity.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes the use of a single connection to measure the resonance frequency of main cells or side cells of a resonant structure, such as a linear accelerator cavity structure. Only one antenna is require to perform both the tasks of exciting a cavity structure and picking up the resonant frequency signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first antenna probe is inserted into the main cells of a linear accelerator cavity structure. The first antenna probe includes an antenna window which may be positioned approximately in the center of a main cell adjacent to a target side cell in order to measure the resonance frequency of a target side cell. All non-target side cells adjacent to the main cell aligned with the window antenna are then shorted. For example, the non-target cells may be shorted by metal surrounding the first antenna probe at locations other than the antenna window. A signal is sent and a resonance frequency is noted.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes the use of a single connection to measure the resonance frequency of main cells or side cells of a resonant structure, such as a linear accelerator cavity structure. Only one antenna is require to perform both the tasks of exciting a cavity structure and picking up the resonant frequency signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first antenna probe is inserted into the main cells of a linear accelerator cavity structure. The first antenna probe includes an antenna window which may be positioned approximately in the center of a main cell adjacent to a target side cell in order to measure the resonance frequency of a target side cell. All non-target side cells adjacent to the main cell aligned with the window antenna are then shorted. For example, the non-target cells may be shorted by metal surrounding the first antenna probe at locations other than the antenna window. A signal is sent and a resonance frequency is noted.

Abstract: A linear accelerator x-ray target assembly including an electron beam which contacts an x-ray target and generates x-rays. The target is mounted such that it can rotate freely about its axis. The target has a contoured axially outer edge. Fluid flow impinging the contoured axially outer edge of the target acts to impart rotary motion on the target. The fluid flow helps to dissipate heat from the target in two ways. Firstly, heat is transferred to a cooling fluid as the cooling fluid passes over the target. Secondly, the rotation of the target helps to dissipate heat from the target by distributing the electron beam contact point around the target instead of having the electron beam impact continuously on one spot on the target.

Abstract: In a clinical linear accelerator system for delivering charged particles for medical applications, a series of monolithic cavity-defining members is connected to form a succession of accelerating cavities, with temperature regulation being achieved by aligning internal cooling passageways through the series of monolithic members. As a result, a continuous coolant flow path is formed through the monolithic members. At each member-to-member interface, there is a leakage-release path for non-intrusively conducting any leakage that occurs at the interface. In the preferred embodiment, there is a braze connection that separates the leakage-release path at an interface from the coolant flow path at that interface. The braze connection provides a seal that further safeguards against coolant entering an area in which performance of the system is affected.