A compact lightweight gantry for a proton therapy system that has a source-to-axis distance (SAD) of less than 2 m and can deliver a proton beam of superior quality. The reduced SAD leads to reduced requirements on the maximum magnetic fields that can be generated by the bend magnets in the gantry beamline. Correspondingly, lightweight bend magnets can be used. The various components in the gantry beamline are optimized to achieve a beam spot size of approximately 4 mm sigma or less through a pencil beam scanning nozzle disposed downstream of the final bending magnet. In addition, the proton therapy system is configured to operate at a maximum beam energy in the range of 220-230 MeV.

The invention relates to a single or multipart insulating component for a plasma torch, particularly a plasma cutting torch, for electrical insulation between at least two electrically conductive components of the plasma torch, characterized in that the insulating component consists of an electrically non-conductive and easily thermally conductive material, or at least one part thereof consists of an electrically non-conductive and easily thermally conductive material. The invention further relates to assemblies and plasma torches having the same and to a method for processing, plasma cutting and plasma welding.

A portable information terminal is separated from a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus for performing processing of a sample by irradiating the sample with a charged particle beam. The portable information terminal performs operation of a first operation item at a desired position and includes a display controller causing a display unit to display an image containing a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of operating the first operation item based on operation by a user, the first operation item being one or more operation items among a plurality of items operable in the charged particle beam irradiation apparatus.

An automatic reloading and transport system for solid targets for a particle accelerator using a pneumatic tube transport system from the point of target activation by a particle accelerator to a target processing point and back, comprising a pneumatic tube transport system with end stations for receipt and dispatch of a capsule accommodating the target, a handling mechanism for both manipulating the solid target and handling the capsule and a target positioning system.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to selecting a raster profile for scanning a proton beam across a target. A raster profile is selected from among the plurality of plurality of possible raster profiles based on a value of a figure of merit. A beam is directed across the target surface to form a pattern that is repeated one or more times at different radial orientations to form a scanning profile. A target temperature is monitored while scanning the beam across the target surface according to the scanning profile. The scanning parameters are changeable to avoid target damaging, to improve thermal performance and to optimize particle loading.

A particle therapy system capable of reducing the installation area and also suppressing a variation in the irradiation beam position is provided. A synchrotron generates a charged particle beam, and a beam delivery system irradiates an irradiation target with a charged particle beam extracted from the synchrotron thereby forming a radiation field. A rotating gantry is provided with the beam delivery system and is rotatable around the irradiation target. Dispersion measuring devices, each of which measures the dispersion of the charged particle beam at the position of the irradiation target at a plurality of rotation angles of the rotating gantry, are also provided. The orbit center of the charged particle beam extracted from the synchrotron and the rotation axis of the rotating gantry are located on substantially the same straight line.

An embodiment of the invention is a focusing magnet including a coil pair arranged on both sides of a path of a charged particle beam. The coil pair generates an effective magnetic field region in which a magnetic field is oriented in a direction (z-axis) perpendicular to a traveling direction (x-axis) of a charged particle beam. In an xy-plane, an incident charged particle beam deflected at a deflection angle with respect to the x-axis at a deflection point Q is deflected by the effective magnetic field region, and irradiates an isocenter at an irradiation angle with respect to the x-axis; an arbitrary point P2 on a boundary on an exit side of the effective magnetic field region is at an equal distance r.sub.1 from the isocenter; a point P1 on a boundary on an incident side of the effective magnetic field region and the point P2 are on a radius r.sub.2 and an arc of a central angle (+); and when a distance between the deflection point Q and the isocenter is L, a distance R between the deflection point Q and the point P1 satisfies a relational equation (4).

An embodiment of the invention is a focusing magnet including a coil pair arranged on both sides of a path of a charged particle beam. The coil pair generates an effective magnetic field region in which a magnetic field is oriented in a direction (z-axis) perpendicular to a traveling direction (x-axis) of a charged particle beam. In an xy-plane, an incident charged particle beam deflected at a deflection angle with respect to the x-axis at a deflection point Q is deflected by the effective magnetic field region, and irradiates an isocenter at an irradiation angle with respect to the x-axis; an arbitrary point P2 on a boundary on an exit side of the effective magnetic field region is at an equal distance r.sub.1 from the isocenter; a point P1 on a boundary on an incident side of the effective magnetic field region and the point P2 are on a radius r.sub.2 and an arc of a central angle (+); and when a distance between the deflection point Q and the isocenter is L, a distance R between the deflection point Q and the point P1 satisfies a relational equation (4).

An embodiment of the invention is a focusing magnet including a coil pair arranged on both sides of a path of a charged particle beam. The coil pair generates an effective magnetic field region in which a magnetic field is oriented in a direction (z-axis) perpendicular to a traveling direction (x-axis) of a charged particle beam. In an xy-plane, an incident charged particle beam deflected at a deflection angle with respect to the x-axis at a deflection point Q is deflected by the effective magnetic field region, and irradiates an isocenter at an irradiation angle with respect to the x-axis; an arbitrary point P2 on a boundary on an exit side of the effective magnetic field region is at an equal distance r.sub.1 from the isocenter; a point P1 on a boundary on an incident side of the effective magnetic field region and the point P2 are on a radius r.sub.2 and an arc of a central angle (+); and when a distance between the deflection point Q and the isocenter is L, a distance R between the deflection point Q and the point P1 satisfies a relational equation (4).

A particle beam adjustment device includes: a position monitor that detects a positional deviation of a particle beam transported from a beam transport section; an interlock device to interrupt irradiation of the particle beam when a positional deviation of the particle beam is detected by the position monitor; a pair of screen monitors that measure position and angle of an axis of the particle beam; a correction electromagnet that controls the axis of the particle beam by adjusting a magnetic field on a basis of a signal indicating the particle beam position and angle measured by the screen monitors; and a beam scanning electromagnet that irradiates an irradiation target with the particle beam. One of the screen monitors is installed outside a treatment room, and the other screen monitor and the position monitor are installed inside the treatment room.