Abstract: The present invention provides an increased degree of uniformity of radiation dose distribution for the interior of a diseased part. A particle beam therapy system includes a charged particle beam generation apparatus and an irradiation apparatus. An ion beam is generated by the charged particle beam generation apparatus. The irradiation apparatus exposes a diseased part to the generated ion beam. A scattering device, a range adjustment device, and a Bragg peak spreading device are installed upstream of a first scanning magnet and a second scanning magnet. The scattering device and the range adjustment device are combined together and moved along a beam axis, whereas the Bragg peak spreading device is moved independently along the beam axis. The scattering device moves to adjust the degree of ion beam scattering. The range adjustment device moves to adjust ion beam scatter changes caused by an absorber thickness adjustment.

Abstract: A radiation exposure region to be irradiated with particle beams and a peripheral region thereof are respectively divided into pluralities of exposure regions, radiation treatment simulation for applying particle beams according to the shape of each divided exposure region is performed, and a radiation treatment condition is obtained for causing the flatness of the radiation exposure region to be in a desired range, and a dose of particle beams applied to the unit exposure region of the peripheral region to be minimum. Thus, the problem of low efficiency of radiation is solved.

Abstract: A particle therapy system, as one example of a particle beam irradiation system, comprises a charged particle beam generator and an irradiation field forming apparatus. An ion beam from the charged particle beam generator is irradiated to a diseased part in the body of a patient through the irradiation field forming apparatus. A scattering compensator and a range modulation wheel (RMW) are disposed on the upstream side in a direction of beam advance and are movable along a beam axis. The movement of the scattering compensator and the RMW adjusts a size of the ion beam entering a scatterer device, whereby a change in scattering intensity of the ion beam in the scatterer device is adjusted. As a result, a penumbra in dose distribution is reduced and a more uniform dose distribution in a direction perpendicular to the direction of beam advance is obtained in the diseased part.

Abstract: A multi-channel induction accelerator (MIAC) comprised of the injector block, the drive source, the output device, and the multi-channel induction acceleration block. The latter is made in the form of an aggregate of one-channel linear induction acceleration blocks (including those which are oriented parallel one to other), each of which is made in the form of a sequence of the linearly connected acceleration sections, each of which, in turn, is made in the form of one or a few magnetic inductors enveloped by a conductive screen. Therein, at least one of the conductive screens is made in such a manner that it envelops at least two acceleration sections, which belong to different one-channel linear induction acceleration blocks. The invention allows to increase electric voltage in acceleration spaces of the acceleration sections without increasing the current strength in the inductors winding, and to increase efficiency of the accelerator.

Abstract: A multi-channel undulation induction accelerator of charged particles, comprising an injector block, drive source, output systems, turning systems, and induction acceleration block, which is made in the form of at least two one-channel linear induction acceleration blocks (including those that are placed parallel with one to other), linked by means of turning systems, each of which connects an output of one of the one-channel linear induction acceleration blocks with an input of another, similar block. At least one of the turning systems is made in the form of a sequence of fragments of solenoid, which are joined with each other in such a manner that they form a working channel for the charged particle beam, which accomplish a 180° or less angle turn.

Abstract: A system and method of accelerating ions in an accelerator to optimize the energy produced by a light source. Several parameters may be controlled in constructing a target used in the accelerator system to adjust performance of the accelerator system. These parameters include the material, thickness, geometry and surface of the target.

Abstract: The present invention provides an increased degree of uniformity of radiation dose distribution for the interior of a diseased part. A particle beam therapy system includes a charged particle beam generation apparatus and an irradiation apparatus. An ion beam is generated by the charged particle beam generation apparatus. The irradiation apparatus exposes a diseased part to the generated ion beam. A scattering device, a range adjustment device, and a Bragg peak spreading device are installed upstream of a first scanning magnet and a second scanning magnet. The scattering device and the range adjustment device are combined together and moved along a beam axis, whereas the Bragg peak spreading device is moved independently along the beam axis. The scattering device moves to adjust the degree of ion beam scattering. The range adjustment device moves to adjust ion beam scatter changes caused by an absorber thickness adjustment.

Abstract: An RF window and a method of manufacture of the RF window are provided. The RF window of the invention has very low reflected RF power. The RF window includes a center sleeve assembly including a ceramic disc mounted within a copper sleeve. The ceramic disc has opposed surfaces, a ceramic surface coating is applied to each of the opposed surfaces. The ceramic surface coatings are selected for a particular application of the RF window. A pair of end assemblies is removably assembled with the center sleeve assembly. An end assembly mating face is arranged for adjustable slip fit engagement within the copper sleeve of the center sleeve assembly to define a respective cavity on opposed sides of the ceramic disc with the mating face positioned at an adjusted position. An intermediary ring is fixedly secured to the end assembly with the mating face at the adjusted position.

Abstract: The invention addresses a multi-channel induction accelerator with external channels, which in its broadest form includes an injector block, a drive system, a block of output systems, and a multi-channel induction accelerative block. The multi-channel induction accelerative block is formed of an aggregate of linear induction acceleration blocks (including those that are placed parallel one with respect to the other), each acceleration block being formed from a sequence of linearly connected acceleration sections. Each acceleration section comprises one or more magnetic inductors enveloped by a conductive screening. One or more inner accelerative channels are placed axially within the inner parts of the conductive screening and have one or more azimuthally oriented slits. One or more channel electrodes are connected electrically with different parts of the inner parts of the conductive screening that are separated by the slit.

Abstract: A linear acceleration system comprises one or more accelerating stages along an axis and a unipolar electrostatic quadruple lens in series with the one or more accelerating stages. The unipolar electrostatic quadruple lens focuses an ion beam in a direction transverse to the axis. The unipolar electrostatic quadruple lens includes a switching circuit, a first pair of electrodes, and a second pair of electrodes. The switching circuit controllably connects to ground and a first voltage potential. The electrodes of the first pair are located opposite each other and are connected to the switching circuit. The electrodes of the second pair are also located opposite each other and connected to the switching circuit. The second pair of electrodes are biased to a second voltage potential.

Abstract: A system and method of accelerating ions in an accelerator to optimize the energy produced by a light source. Several parameters may be controlled in constructing a target used in the accelerator system to adjust performance of the accelerator system. These parameters include the material, thickness, geometry and surface of the target.

Abstract: A drift tube linear accelerator (linac) that can be used for the acceleration of low energy ion beams. The particles enter the linac at low energy and are accelerated and focused along a straight line in a plurality of resonant accelerating structures interposed by coupling structures up to the desired energy. In the accelerating structures, excited by an H-type resonant electromagnetic field, a plurality of accelerating gaps is provided between drift tubes supported by stems, for instance alternatively horizontally and vertically disposed. A basic module composed of two accelerating structures and an interposed coupling structure, or a modified coupling structure connected to a RF power generator, is if necessary linked to a vacuum system and equipped with one or more quadrupoles.

Abstract: A device for generating helical electron beams that can be used for radiation therapy is disclosed. The device contains a tertiary collimating cone that can be attached to a gantry of a linear accelerator or placed directly below the gantry. The tertiary collimating cone has a dynamic energy compensator and a magnetic electron collimator to modify the energy of electrons and to generate a helical trajectory. A multileaf collimator may be present within the tertiary collimating cone. A computer coordinates the movements of various components. The helical electron beam produced by this device can be targeted to tumors better and safer and reduce the amount of radiation hitting normal tissue than current devices.

Abstract: A standing wave electron beam accelerator and x-ray source is described. The accelerator has a plurality of on-axis resonant cells having axial apertures electrically coupled to one another by on-axis coupling cells having axial apertures. The accelerator includes a buncher cavity defined in part by an apertured anode and a half cell. The buncher cavity is configured to receive electrons injected through said anode aperture and r.f. focus them into a beam which is projected along the axis through said apertures. An x-ray target is supported in spaced relationship to said accelerator by a support having a smaller diameter than the accelerator.

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: The present invention relates to an apparatus for pre-acceleration of ions and optimized matching of beam parameters used in a heavy ion application comprising a radio frequency quadruple accelerator (RFQ) having two mini-vane pairs supported by a plurality of alternating stems accelerating the ions from about 8 keV/u to about 400 keV/u and an intertank matching section for matching the parameters of the ion beam coming from the radio frequency quadruple accelerator (RFQ) to the parameters required by a subsequent drift tube linear accelerator (DTL).

Abstract: Stable THz radiation in the multi-watt range, upwards of 2 watts and even up to 100 watts, is produced through the acceleration of electrons in bunches less than about 500 femtoseconds in length as measured at full width and half maximum, at relativistic speeds (>˜40 MeV) and at a high repetition rate (>˜5 MHz) followed by transverse acceleration thereof by a magnetic field to produce the desired THz emission as synchrotron radiation.

Abstract: A multiple beam linear accelerator system and method where two or more accelerator waveguides are driven by a single high power microwave source. A single RF power system is multiplexed to drive the plurality of accelerator waveguides. Each accelerator waveguide is addressed at a different RF frequency, and the microwave source generates pulses at the appropriate RF frequency for each accelerator waveguide on a pulse-by-pulse basis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact time-of-flight mass spectrometer which enables very accurate mass determinations. The invention consists of a method of producing a high resolution by means of a long flight path, where the ion beam repeatedly sweeps a figure of eight in two opposed cylindrical capacitors, each of 254.56°, and the linear ion beam paths between the cylindrical capacitors are extended virtually by a change in potential so as to cause a time focusing with respect to an initial energy spread.

Abstract: An x-ray treatment apparatus includes an x-ray generating device, a head unit, a manipulator and a microwave source. The x-ray generating device produces x-rays, by letting electrons, which have been emitted from an electron gun, be accelerated by a linear accelerator and strike a target. The acceleration of electrons is effected by microwaves. The x-ray generating device is accommodated in the head unit. The head unit is attached to a distal end portion of the manipulator. The manipulator positions the head unit such that x-rays emitted from the head unit may be applied to a part for medical treatment in a patient. The microwave source is disposed at a proximal end portion of the manipulator. Microwaves are propagated from the microwave source to the accelerator through a waveguide.

Abstract: To provide an accelerator system having a wide ion beam current control range, being capable of operating with low power consumption and a long maintenance interval and being capable of preventing unnecessarily large dose of the ion beam for irradiation from erroneously being supplied to the downstream side of the system. In an accelerator system designed to treat the patient with irradiation of a high-energy ion beam accelerated by a post-accelerator 4 comprising a synchrotron in irradiation rooms 6 to 8, a value of ion beam current to be supplied to the post-accelerator 4 is controlled by a pre-accelerator comprising an ion source 10, quadrupole electromagnet 15, radio frequency quadrupole accelerator 17 and a drift tube type accelerator 19. The accelerator system featuring low power consumption, a long maintenance interval and high reliability can be made available.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator system includes a high voltage supply circuit having a high voltage output. A cathode structure is coupled to the high voltage supply circuit at the high voltage output. An anode structure is spaced from the cathode structure and has a voltage associated therewith such that a voltage difference exists between the cathode structure and the anode structure. This voltage difference creates an electron beam flowing between the cathode structure and the anode structure. An electron beam output is adjacent to the anode structure. A control grid is located between the cathode structure and the anode structure and receives a time-varying voltage. This time-varying voltage prevents ringing of the high voltage output, reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown and failure due to transient high voltages.

Abstract: A linear accelerator of the interdigital (Wideröe) type, employing two-part drift tubes and associated support stems that couple to the electromagnetic fields of the interdigital linac structure, creating rf quadrupole fields along the axis of the linac to provide transverse focusing for the particle beam. Each two-part drift tube comprises two separate electrodes that operate at different electrical potentials. Each electrode supports two fingers, pointing inwards towards the opposite end of the drift tube, forming a four-finger geometry that produces an rf quadrupole field distribution along its axis. The fundamental periodicity of the structure is equal to one half of the particle wavelength &bgr;&lgr;, where &bgr; is the particle velocity in units of the velocity of light and &lgr; is the free space wavelength of the RF. Particles are accelerated in the gaps between drift tubes. The particle beam is focused in the regions inside the drift tubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an increased degree of uniformity of radiation dose distribution for the interior of a diseased part. A particle beam therapy system includes a charged particle beam generation apparatus and an irradiation apparatus. An ion beam is generated by the charged particle beam generation apparatus. The irradiation apparatus exposes a diseased part to the generated ion beam. A scattering device, a range adjustment device, and a Bragg peak spreading device are installed upstream of a first scanning magnet and a second scanning magnet. The scattering device and the range adjustment device are combined together and moved along a beam axis, whereas the Bragg peak spreading device is moved independently along the beam axis. The scattering device moves to adjust the degree of ion beam scattering. The range adjustment device moves to adjust ion beam scatter changes caused by an absorber thickness adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of tuning a plurality of electrostatic quadrupoles used for focusing an ion beam implanter. The steps of the method include: classifying the plurality of electrostatic quadrupoles into one of a predetermined number of groups, and for each of the predetermined number of groups, tuning the quadrupoles in the group by iteratively substituting values for a voltage ton be applied to each of the quadrupoles in the group using a multi-variable heuristic algorithm and concurrently measuring final beam current measured downstream of the ion accelerator to determine a set of applied voltage values that maximize the final beam current among those applied voltage values tested and utilizing the set of applied voltage values to tune the quadrupoles in the group. If the resulting ion beam is suitable, utilizing the determined applied voltages to tune the quadrupoles.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a compact source of intense THz radiation comprising a short bunch, low energy particle beam source, an accelerator cavity and an electromagnetic wiggler. Application of state-of-the-art superconducting accelerating structures and beam recirculation allows such a THz radiation source to have a small footprint and high average intensity without the need of the larger equipment necessary to produce the large charge per bunch generally associated with the production of THz radiation. Consequently, low emittance electron beams can be used to produce emitted THz radiation of high average brilliance.

Abstract: A drift tube (15) linear accelerator (linac) (4) that can be used for the acceleration of low energy ion beams is disclosed. The particles enter the linac (4) at low energy and are accelerated and focused along a straight line in a plurality of resonant accelerating structures (8) interposed by coupling structures (9) up to the desired energy, for instance for therapeutic needs. In the accelerating structures (8), excited by an H-type resonant electromagnetic field, a plurality of accelerating gaps (20) is provided between said drift tubes (15), said drift tubes being supported by stems, for instance alternatively horizontally (16) and vertically (17) disposed. A basic module (7) is disclosed, composed of two accelerating structures (8) and an interposed coupling structure (9), or if necessary a modified coupling structure (9A) connected to a RF power generator (11), being linked if necessary to a vacuum system (13) and equipped if necessary with one or more quadrupoles (18).

Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to an ion accelerator with significantly simplified construction, for accelerating an much larger amount of ions, wherein that a plasma-generating target 12, a vacuum chamber 16 for extracting ions from plasma generated from the plasma-generating target 12, and an ion linac 30 are connected in series, the vacuum chamber 16 is installed near an ion entrance of the ion linac 30, the ion accelerator also has a high voltage power supply boosting the vacuum chamber 16 to a desired voltage, and ions are directly injected from the vacuum chamber 16 to the ion linac 30.

Abstract: A photoelectron linear accelerator for producing a low emittance polarized electric beam. The accelerator includes a tube having an inner wall, the inner tube wall being coated by a getter material. A portable, or demountable, cathode plug is mounted within said tube, the surface of said cathode having a semiconductor material formed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for pre-acceleration of ions and optimized matching of beam parameters used in a heavy ion application comprising a radio frequency quadruple accelerator (RFQ) having two mini-vane pairs supported by a plurality of alternating stems accelerating the ions from about 8 keV/u to about 400 keV/u and an intertank matching section for matching the parameters of the ion beam coming from the radio frequency quadruple accelerator (RFQ) to the parameters required by a subsequent drift tube linear accelerator (DTL).

Abstract: A photoelectron linear accelerator for producing a low emittance polarized electron beam. The linear accelerator includes a tube having an inner wall, the inner tube wall being coated by a getter material. A portable, or demountable, cathode plug is mounted within said tube, the surface of said cathode having a semiconductor material formed thereon.

Abstract: An accelerator comprises a plurality of accelerating cells arranged to convey a beam, adjacent cells being linked by a coupling cell, the coupling cells being arranged to dictate the ratio of electric field in the respective adjacent accelerating cells, at least one coupling cell being switchable between a positive ratio and a negative ratio. Such an accelerator in effect inserts a phase change into the E field by imposing a negative ratio, meaning that the beam will meet a reversed electric field in subsequent cells and will in fact be decelerated. As a result, the beam can be developed and bunched in early cells while accelerating to and/or at relativistic energies, and then bled of energy in later cells to bring the beam energy down to (say) between 100 and 300 KeV. Energies of this magnitude are comparable to diagnostic X-rays, where much higher contrast of bony structures exists. Hence the accelerator can be used to take kilovoltage portal images.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and apparatus for tuning a particle accelerator is provided which includes tuning side cavities while placing adjancent cavities in a de-tuned condition. A conductor is positioned such that a primary cavity under test is minimally excited, while adjacent side cavities are excited. Coupled modes are measured. The primary cavity is tuned based on the measured coupled modes. According to the invention, this tuning is accomplished without use of access ports to the interior of the side cavities.

Abstract: A method for generating a closely spaced train of extremely high voltage short pulses. The method involves generating the train of pulses by combining a plurality of harmonic amplitudes to construct said pulses, via a Fourier construction. Any arbitrary pulse shape can be reproduced simply by changing the amplitude of the harmonics. The train of high voltage electrical pulses produced by the method of the present invention is particularly well suited for the acceleration of particles by applying the pulses to an appropriate accelerating structure, or the pulses can be used to drive an undulator/wiggler.

Abstract: A cavity for use in an accelerator is formed by an inner wall including at least two different materials. According to embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the structure forming the inner wall of the cavity includes a first material (e.g., copper) while another portion forming the inner wall of the cavity includes a second material (e.g., steel). Using different materials for different portions of the inner walls forming a cavity may cause different Q-factors for the cavity while the shape of the cavity remains constant.

Abstract: An integrated RF amplifier and resonator is provided for use with an ion accelerator. The amplifier includes an output substantially directly coupled with a resonator coil. The amplifier output may be coupled capacitively or inductively. In addition, an apparatus is provided for accelerating ions in an ion implanter. The apparatus comprises an amplifier with an RF output, a tank circuit with a coil substantially directly coupled to the RF output of the amplifier, and an electrode connected to the coil for accelerating ions. Also provided is a method for coupling an RF amplifier with a resonator in an ion accelerator. The method comprises connecting the RF output of the amplifier to a coupler, and locating the coupler proximate the coil, thereby substantially directly coupling the RF output of the amplifier with the resonator coil.

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 has a plurality of resonant cavities located along a particle beam axis. One or more pairs of resonant cavities are electromagnetically coupled via a coupling cavity. A rotationally asymmetric element within the coupling cavity is adapted to rotate about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the coupling cavity. The coupling cavity is imperfectly symmetric about its axis due to a relative excess of material disposed within the cavity in the portion opposed to the apertures. Rotation of the polarization of a TE111 mode inside the cylindrical cavity provided a simple single mechanical control of coupling value, that has negligible effect on the phase shift across the device. A slight frequency dependence on the angle of rotation is correctable by a relative excess of material located opposite the apertures between the coupling cavity and the accelerating cavities.

Abstract: A linear accelerator with improved efficiency is disclosed. The linear accelerator contains at least one lower beam energy recirculating linear accelerator which is focused along a constant focal length, and at least one higher beam energy recirculating linear accelerator which is focused along a constant focal length, and a full energy recirculating line which received the beam from the higher energy recirculating linear accelerator and reinjects it into the higher energy recirculating linear accelerator, thereby balancing the focusing profile to the beam energy. Better envelope control, focusing, and higher efficiency is observed in linacs according to the present invention.

Abstract: An ion buncher stage for a linear accelerator system is disclosed for bunching ions in an ion implantation system. The ion buncher stage may be employed upstream of one or more accelerating stages such that the loss of ions in the linear accelerator system is reduced. The invention further includes an asymmetrical double gap buncher stage, as well as a slit buncher stage for further improvement of ion implantation efficiency. Also disclosed are methods for accelerating ions in an ion implanter linear accelerator.

Abstract: An image-based quality assurance (IBQA) system is provided for performing quality assurance testing of a medical linear accelerator photon beam. The IBQA system includes an imaging phantom integrated with an automated image analysis system. The imaging phantom comprises a set of fixed and rotatable reference objects which, when radiographed, set the orientation of the phantom, determine magnification factors and measure spatial distortions. The imaging phantom includes a chamber for inserting a radiographic film to record an image of the photon beam. The sampled image is digitized and made available to the automated image analysis system for measuring quality assurance parameters from the sampled image. The measured beam quality parameters are compared with baseline parameter values to determine whether they fall within prescribed specifications.

Abstract: This electrostatic acceleration column has first to fifth electrodes arranged in a traveling direction of ions, which are a kind of charged particles. Then, the second electrode divided into two electrode members, which are opposed to each other across a path of the ions, and to which different electric potentials are applied to deflect the ions. Further, the electrodes arranged on a downstream side from the electrode are arranged along an orbit of ions deflected by the electrode and having specific energy.

Abstract: A high-current, high-gradient, high-efficiency, multi-stage cavity cyclotron resonance accelerator (MCCRA) provides energy gains of over 50 MeV/stage, at an acceleration gradient that exceeds 20 MeV/m, in room temperature cavities. The multi-stage cavity cyclotron resonance accelerator includes a charged particle source, a plurality of end-to-end rotating mode room-temperature cavities, and a solenoid coil. The solenoid coil encompasses the cavities and provides a substantially uniform magnetic field that threads through the cavities. Specifically, the MCCRA is provided with a constant magnetic field sufficient to produce a cyclotron frequency a little higher than the RF of the accelerating electric field. A plurality of input feeds, each of which respectively coupled to a cavity, are also provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, the beam from the first cavity passes through a cutoff drift tube and is accelerated further with a cavity supporting a still lower radio-frequency electric field.

Abstract: An charged particle beam irradiation apparatus is provided which increases the width in a depth direction of a Bragg peak to be formed, by means of a simple construction. The charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes a charged particle beam generation device and an irradiation field forming device. The charged particle beam generation device has a front accelerator and a synchrotron. An ion beam is guided to the irradiation field forming device from the synchrotron. The irradiation field forming device has a beam enlarging device, a Bragg peak enlarging device and a ridge filter. A pair of filter elements which constitute the Bragg peak enlarging device have a plurality of stick-shaped portions spaced apart from one another. The filter elements are disposed with their respective stick-shaped portions partly superposed to extend in mutually different directions.

Abstract: A cavity for use in an accelerator is formed by an inner wall comprised of at least two different materials. According to embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the structure forming the inner wall of the cavity may be comprised of a first material (e.g., copper) while another portion forming the inner wall of the cavity may be comprised of a second material (e.g., steel). Using different materials for different portions of the inner walls forming a cavity may cause different Q-factors for the cavity while the shape of the cavity remains constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of checking emergency shutdown of an ion beam therapy system which comprises a raster scanning device arranged in a beam guidance system and having vertical deflection means and horizontal deflection means for the vertical and horizontal deflection of a treatment beam at right angles to its beam direction, so that the treatment beam is deflected by the raster scanning device onto an isocenter of the irradiation station and scans a specific area surrounding the isocenter, a check of emergency shutdown being carried out.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing reduced dark current in a linear accelerator includes a cavity having an input aperture and an output aperture, and a particle source coupled to the input aperture, the input aperture having a radius greater than a radius of the output aperture.

Abstract: An ion buncher stage for a linear accelerator system is disclosed for bunching ions in an ion implantation system. The ion buncher stage may be employed upstream of one or more accelerating stages such that the loss of ions in the linear accelerator system is reduced. The invention further includes an asymmetrical double gap buncher stage, as well as a slit buncher stage for further improvement of ion implantation efficiency. Also disclosed are methods for accelerating ions in an ion implanter linear accelerator.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and apparatus for tuning a particle accelerator is provided which includes tuning side cavities while placing adjancent cavities in a de-tuned condition. A conductor is positioned such that a primary cavity under test is minimally excited, while adjacent side cavities are excited. Coupled modes are measured. The primary cavity is tuned based on the measured coupled modes. According to the invention, this tuning is accomplished without use of access ports to the interior of the side cavities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tuning a charged particle accelerator (40) are described. An accelerator tuning system (44) includes a graphical user interface (110) that guides a tuning technician (42) through an accelerator tuning process and interfaces with a measurement instrument (46) configured to measure characteristic parameters of the accelerator (40). The graphical user interface (110) enables the technician (42) to make parameter measurements and interpret the results of those measurements more quickly and easily. A computer (50) may be programmed to generate the graphical user interface (110), and instructions (51) for generating the graphical user interface (110) may be carried on a computer-readable medium. An accelerator tuning method includes the steps of guiding a user through an accelerator tuning process and interfacing with a measurement instrument (46) configured to measure characteristic parameters of the accelerator (40).