The present invention discloses a homologous dual-energy accelerator and a therapy device comprising the homologous accelerator. The homologous dual-energy accelerator comprises an electron emitting device and an accelerating device, wherein the electron emitting device is located at the input end of the accelerating device, and electrons generated by the electron emitting device are emitted from the output end of the accelerating device after being accelerated by the accelerating device; the homologous dual-energy accelerator further comprises at least one separation deflection device which is arranged on the output end side of the accelerating device and used for changing the motion trail of partial electrons among the electrons accelerated by the accelerating device. The homologous dual-energy accelerator has the advantages that the inventor discovers that the speeds and energy of all electrons are not completely same after the electrons are accelerated by the accelerating device; the inventor uses the separation deflection device arranged on the output end side of the accelerating device through the discovery, the motion trail of partial electrons having relatively low energy level among the particles accelerated by the accelerating device is forcibly changed, the electrons having different energy levels in a homologous electron beam are separated, and two energy levels of electron beams are thus obtained, wherein the high-energy electron beam continues an original path and is used for radiotherapy, and the other path of low-energy electron beam is used for tracking lesions and detecting the therapeutic effect.

An electron acceleration system includes a first RF cavity, and a second RF cavity whose center is located at a distance not more than 1.5 inch from the center of the first RF cavity, along an axis. The first RF cavity has a length less than about 0.25 inches. The on-axis coupling between the first and second RF cavities along the axis, which is primarily electric, is cancelled out by an off-axis coupling between the RF cavities off the axis, which is primarily magnetic. In this way, the net RF coupling between the RF cavities is zero. The phase and amplitude of the first and second RF cavities are each independently adjustable.

An electron acceleration system includes a first RF cavity, and a second RF cavity whose center is located at a distance not more than 1.5 inch from the center of the first RF cavity, along an axis. The first RF cavity has a length less than about 0.25 inches. The on-axis coupling between the first and second RF cavities along the axis, which is primarily electric, is cancelled out by an off-axis coupling between the RF cavities off the axis, which is primarily magnetic. In this way, the net RF coupling between the RF cavities is zero. The phase and amplitude of the first and second RF cavities are each independently adjustable.

A linear accelerator head for use in a medical radiation therapy system can include a housing, an electron generator configured to emit electrons along a beam path, and a microwave generation assembly. The linear accelerator head may include a waveguide that is configured to contain a standing or travelling microwave. The waveguide can include a plurality of cells that are disposed adjacent one another, wherein each of the plurality of cells may define an aperture configured to receive electrons therethrough. The linear accelerator head can further include a converter and a primary collimator.

A linear accelerator head for use in a medical radiation therapy system can include a housing, an electron generator configured to emit electrons along a beam path, and a microwave generation assembly. The linear accelerator head may include a waveguide that is configured to contain a standing or travelling microwave. The waveguide can include a plurality of cells that are disposed adjacent one another, wherein each of the plurality of cells may define an aperture configured to receive electrons therethrough. The linear accelerator head can further include a converter and a primary collimator.

Methods for generating a multiple-energy X-ray pulse. A beam of electrons is generated with an electron gun and modulated prior to injection into an accelerating structure to achieve at least a first and specified beam current amplitude over the course of respective beam current temporal profiles. A radio frequency field is applied to the accelerating structure with a specified RF field amplitude and a specified RF temporal profile. The first and second specified beam current amplitudes are injected serially, each after a specified delay, in such a manner as to achieve at least two distinct endpoint energies of electrons accelerated within the accelerating structure during a course of a single RF-pulse. The beam of electrons is accelerated by the radio frequency field within the accelerating structure to produce accelerated electrons which impinge upon a target for generating Bremsstrahlung X-rays.

Methods for generating a multiple-energy X-ray pulse. A beam of electrons is generated with an electron gun and modulated prior to injection into an accelerating structure to achieve at least a first and specified beam current amplitude over the course of respective beam current temporal profiles. A radio frequency field is applied to the accelerating structure with a specified RF field amplitude and a specified RF temporal profile. The first and second specified beam current amplitudes are injected serially, each after a specified delay, in such a manner as to achieve at least two distinct endpoint energies of electrons accelerated within the accelerating structure during a course of a single RF-pulse. The beam of electrons is accelerated by the radio frequency field within the accelerating structure to produce accelerated electrons which impinge upon a target for generating Bremsstrahlung X-rays.

A free electron laser FEL comprises an undulator 24 generating coherent EUV radiation receiving an upstream electron beam EB2 and emitting a downstream electron beam EB4 and at least an electron source 21a, 21b operable to produce an upstream electron beam EB1, EB2 comprising bunches of electrons. A beam path is configured to direct the upstream electron beam through: a linear accelerator system (LINAC) comprising at least a first and a second linear accelerators 22a, 22b, a bunch compressor 28b, and said undulator 24. The downstream electron beam EB3, EB4 that leaves the undulator 24 recirculates through the second linear accelerator 22b in parallel with the upstream electron beam with a phase such that the downstream beam is decelerated by the second linear accelerator 22b and then recirculates through the first linear accelerator 22a in parallel with the upstream electron beam with a phase such that the downstream beam is decelerated by the first linear accelerator 22a; and to direct the downstream beam to a beam dump 100. At least a first energy spreader 50a, 50b, 50c imparts a reversible change to the energy distribution of bunches of electrons and is located at a position in the beam path before the bunch compressor 28b and so that it is only passed through by the upstream electron beam EB1. A second energy spreader 50d reverses the change to the energy distribution of bunches of electrons imparted by the at least one first energy spreader 50a, 50b, 50c, the second energy spreader 50d being located at a position in the beam path before the undulator 24 and so that it is only passed through by the upstream electron beam EB2.

A free electron laser FEL comprises an undulator 24 generating coherent EUV radiation receiving an upstream electron beam EB2 and emitting a downstream electron beam EB4 and at least an electron source 21a, 21b operable to produce an upstream electron beam EB1, EB2 comprising bunches of electrons. A beam path is configured to direct the upstream electron beam through: a linear accelerator system (LINAC) comprising at least a first and a second linear accelerators 22a, 22b, a bunch compressor 28b, and said undulator 24. The downstream electron beam EB3, EB4 that leaves the undulator 24 recirculates through the second linear accelerator 22b in parallel with the upstream electron beam with a phase such that the downstream beam is decelerated by the second linear accelerator 22b and then recirculates through the first linear accelerator 22a in parallel with the upstream electron beam with a phase such that the downstream beam is decelerated by the first linear accelerator 22a; and to direct the downstream beam to a beam dump 100. At least a first energy spreader 50a, 50b, 50c imparts a reversible change to the energy distribution of bunches of electrons and is located at a position in the beam path before the bunch compressor 28b and so that it is only passed through by the upstream electron beam EB1. A second energy spreader 50d reverses the change to the energy distribution of bunches of electrons imparted by the at least one first energy spreader 50a, 50b, 50c, the second energy spreader 50d being located at a position in the beam path before the undulator 24 and so that it is only passed through by the upstream electron beam EB2.

A radiotherapy system includes an X-ray target configured to convert an incident electron beam into a therapeutic X-ray beam, a purging magnet configured to redirect unwanted particles emitted from the X-ray target away from the therapeutic X-ray beam, and a particle collector configured to absorb the unwanted particles subsequent to redirection by the purging magnet. The particle collector may be configured to dissipate at least 50% of the energy of the incident electron beam.