Provided is a device for optimizing a diffusion section of an electron beam, comprising two groups of permanent magnets, a magnetic field formed by the four magnetic poles extending the electron beam in a longitudinal direction, and compressing the electron beam in a transverse direction, so that the electron beam becomes an approximate ellipse; another magnetic field formed by the eight magnetic poles optimizing an edge of a dispersed electron-beam bunch into an approximate rectangle; by controlling the four longitudinal connection mechanisms so that the upper magnetic yoke and the lower magnetic yoke of the first group of permanent magnets move synchronously towards the center thereof thereby longitudinally compressing the electron beam in the shape of an approximate ellipse, and the upper magnetic yoke and the lower magnetic yoke of the second group of permanent magnets move synchronously towards the center thereof thereby longitudinally compressing the electron beam in the shape of an approximate rectangle, and the process of longitudinal compression is repeated until a longitudinal size of the electron-beam bunch is reduced to 80 mm. The invention is capable of reasonably compressing a longitudinal size of an electron-beam bunch after diffusion to approximately 80 mm, which ensures optimum irradiation uniformity and efficiency, and enables the longitudinal size to be within the range of a conventional titanium window.

Provided is a device for optimizing a diffusion section of an electron beam, comprising two groups of permanent magnets, a magnetic field formed by the four magnetic poles extending the electron beam in a longitudinal direction, and compressing the electron beam in a transverse direction, so that the electron beam becomes an approximate ellipse; another magnetic field formed by the eight magnetic poles optimizing an edge of a dispersed electron-beam bunch into an approximate rectangle; by controlling the four longitudinal connection mechanisms so that the upper magnetic yoke and the lower magnetic yoke of the first group of permanent magnets move synchronously towards the center thereof thereby longitudinally compressing the electron beam in the shape of an approximate ellipse, and the upper magnetic yoke and the lower magnetic yoke of the second group of permanent magnets move synchronously towards the center thereof thereby longitudinally compressing the electron beam in the shape of an approximate rectangle, and the process of longitudinal compression is repeated until a longitudinal size of the electron-beam bunch is reduced to 80 mm. The invention is capable of reasonably compressing a longitudinal size of an electron-beam bunch after diffusion to approximately 80 mm, which ensures optimum irradiation uniformity and efficiency, and enables the longitudinal size to be within the range of a conventional titanium window.

A radiation system includes a first ring, a radiation source capable of providing radiation suitable for treating a patient, the radiation source secured to the first ring, a second ring located behind the first ring, and an imager secured to the second ring. A radiation system includes a first device having a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam suitable for treating a patient, and a second device having imaging capability, wherein the first device is oriented at an angle that is less than 180° relative to the second device. A radiation system includes a structure having a first opening, a radiation source rotatably coupled to the structure, an imaging device rotatable relative to the structure, and a processor for controlling a rotation of the radiation source and a rotation of the imaging device, wherein the radiation source is rotatable relative to the imaging device.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for directing protons to a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) holding a patient with a patient support; (2) providing an imaging system comprising: a rotatable unit at least partially surrounding an axial perimeter of the patient support, a translation guide rail, an imaging source attached to the rotatable unit, and an imaging detector attached to the rotatable unit; (3) translating and rotating the imaging source and the imaging detector relative to the patient support using the translation guide rail and the rotatable unit; and (4) providing an attachment section connected: on a first end to a robotic arm positioning system and on a second end to the patient support and the imaging system, the robotic arm positioning system repositioning, relative to a nozzle system linked to the synchrotron, the attachment system supporting the patient support system and the imaging system.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for using a single robotic positioning arm to simultaneously move, relative to a proton beam path entering a treatment room containing the patient, both: (1) a patient support and (2) an imaging system. The robotic arm moving the imaging system and patient independently from movement of a nozzle system directing protons into the treatment rooms allows: simultaneously translating past the patient and rotating around the patient an X-ray source of the imaging system; translating a rotatable unit, of the imaging system, longitudinally past the patient on a translation guide rail; moving the patient support and the imaging system through at least four degrees of freedom relative to a movable proton beam; and/or simultaneous or alternating movement of the proton treatment beam and the imaging system relative to the patient.

A rotatable targeting magnet apparatus and method of use thereof is described where the rotatable targeting magnet rotates independently of a beamline arc at the end of the beamline arc, where the arc is after an accelerator and before the patient in a cancer therapy system. The rotatable targeting magnet directs the charged particle beam, such as vertically, using applied current to the targeting magnet while rotation of the magnet allows scanning across the tumor. Rotation of the patient relative to the charged particle allows distribution of trailing Bragg peak energy within and/or circumferentially about the tumor.

A rotatable targeting magnet apparatus and method of use thereof is described where the rotatable targeting magnet rotates independently of a beamline arc at the end of the beamline arc, where the arc is after an accelerator and before the patient in a cancer therapy system. The rotatable targeting magnet directs the charged particle beam, such as vertically, using applied current to the targeting magnet while rotation of the magnet allows scanning across the tumor. Rotation of the patient relative to the charged particle allows distribution of trailing Bragg peak energy within and/or circumferentially about the tumor.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron radiation source 3 capable of emitting neutrons N, and a neutron detector 14 capable of detecting neutrons Nb produced via an inspection object 6a among neutrons N emitted from the neutron radiation source 3. The neutron radiation source 3 includes a linear accelerator 11 capable of emitting charged particles P accelerated; a first magnet section 12 including magnets 12a and 12b facing each other, the magnets 12a and 12b being capable of deflecting the charged particles P in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of emission of the charged particles P from the linear accelerator 11; and a target section 13 capable of producing neutrons N by being irradiated with the charged particles P that have passed through the first magnet section 12.

The ion source includes a microwave power supply provided outside main magnetic poles, a radiofrequency waveguide and an antenna configured to introduce a microwave generated by the microwave power supply to a region to which a magnetic field generated by the main magnetic poles is applied, and a magnetic field generation unit provided inside a hole provided in a part of the main magnetic poles and configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction opposite to that of the magnetic field generated by the main magnetic poles. Plasma is generated inside the main magnetic poles by a magnetic field generated by applying the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit in the opposite direction to the main magnetic field decreased according to a diameter of the hole and the microwave introduced by the radiofrequency waveguide and the antenna.

The ion source includes a microwave power supply provided outside main magnetic poles, a radiofrequency waveguide and an antenna configured to introduce a microwave generated by the microwave power supply to a region to which a magnetic field generated by the main magnetic poles is applied, and a magnetic field generation unit provided inside a hole provided in a part of the main magnetic poles and configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction opposite to that of the magnetic field generated by the main magnetic poles. Plasma is generated inside the main magnetic poles by a magnetic field generated by applying the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit in the opposite direction to the main magnetic field decreased according to a diameter of the hole and the microwave introduced by the radiofrequency waveguide and the antenna.