A linac-based X-ray system for cargo scanning and imaging applications uses linac design, RF power control, beam current control, and beam current pulse duration control to provide stable sequences of pulses having different energy levels or different doses.

Some embodiments include a system, comprising: a plurality of accelerator structures, each accelerator structure including an RF input and configured to accelerate a different particle beam; an RF source configured to generate RF power; and an RF network coupled between the RF source and each of the RF inputs of the accelerator structures and configured to split the RF power among the RF inputs of the accelerator structures.

Some embodiments include a system, comprising: a plurality of accelerator structures, each accelerator structure including an RF input and configured to accelerate a different particle beam; an RF source configured to generate RF power; and an RF network coupled between the RF source and each of the RF inputs of the accelerator structures and configured to split the RF power among the RF inputs of the accelerator structures.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an apparatus for controlling a standing wave linear accelerator. An example standing wave linear accelerator includes an accelerating tube, a motor, and a microwave power source connected between the accelerating tube and the motor. An example apparatus includes a main processor configured to receive an envelope signal of a reflected wave signal output by the accelerating tube, determine whether an amplitude of the envelope signal is greater than an envelope threshold, and if it is determined that the amplitude of the envelope signal is less than the envelope threshold, determine whether to change a rotation direction of the motor by comparing the amplitude of the envelope signal with an envelope reference signal stored in a memory. The memory is connected to the main processor and is configured to store the envelope threshold and the envelope reference signal.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an apparatus for controlling a standing wave linear accelerator. An example standing wave linear accelerator includes an accelerating tube, a motor, and a microwave power source connected between the accelerating tube and the motor. An example apparatus includes a main processor configured to receive an envelope signal of a reflected wave signal output by the accelerating tube, determine whether an amplitude of the envelope signal is greater than an envelope threshold, and if it is determined that the amplitude of the envelope signal is less than the envelope threshold, determine whether to change a rotation direction of the motor by comparing the amplitude of the envelope signal with an envelope reference signal stored in a memory. The memory is connected to the main processor and is configured to store the envelope threshold and the envelope reference signal.

A continuous wave (CW) electron accelerator for the treatment of industrial streams including an electron beam source, a modified high efficiency slot coupled cavity, at least one focusing magnet positioned surrounding the accelerator to contain the beam in the accelerator, an efficient radio frequency power supply means for supplying power of a radio frequency to the cavity to induce a TM01 accelerating mode in the cavity, an electron beam spreader or raster, a fixed magnet array or two-dimensional scanning magnet for deflecting the accelerated beam into a desired shape, and an exit window for extracting the deflected electron beam. The accelerator includes a graded-beta cavity to enable use with a low-power pulsed electron source. The accelerator benefits from a low wall-power loss accelerating cavity that is energized with efficient RF sources, enabling it to be operated in continuous wave mode.

A continuous wave (CW) electron accelerator for the treatment of industrial streams including an electron beam source, a modified high efficiency slot coupled cavity, at least one focusing magnet positioned surrounding the accelerator to contain the beam in the accelerator, an efficient radio frequency power supply means for supplying power of a radio frequency to the cavity to induce a TM01 accelerating mode in the cavity, an electron beam spreader or raster, a fixed magnet array or two-dimensional scanning magnet for deflecting the accelerated beam into a desired shape, and an exit window for extracting the deflected electron beam. The accelerator includes a graded-beta cavity to enable use with a low-power pulsed electron source. The accelerator benefits from a low wall-power loss accelerating cavity that is energized with efficient RF sources, enabling it to be operated in continuous wave mode.

A system (12) is proposed for the acceleration of ions to treat Atrial Fibrillation (AF), arteriovenous malformations (AVMS) and focal epileptic lesions; this system (12) includes a pulsed ion source (1), a pre-accelerator (3) and one or more linear accelerators or linacs (5, 6, 7) operating at frequencies above 1 GHz with a repetition rate between 1 Hz and 500 Hz. The particle beam coming out of the complex (12) can vary (i) in intensity, (ii) in deposition depth and (iii) transversally with respect to the central beam direction. The possibility of adjusting in a few milliseconds and in three orthogonal directions, the location of each energy deposition in the body of the patient makes that system of accelerators (12) perfectly suited to irradiation of a beating heart.

The invention relates to a drum assembly for a linear accelerator, the drum assembly comprising a drum having a front face including a front rim and a rear face including a rear rim, one or more support wheels supporting the drum, an arm extending from the front face of the drum and including a beam collimator through which a beam of radiation is emitted to form a radiation isocentre. One or more rear rim members are associated with the rear rim, the rear rim members adapted to substantially offset isocentre distortion due to unintended movement of the drum assembly. The invention also relates to variants thereto and combinations thereof.

The invention relates to a drum assembly for a linear accelerator, the drum assembly comprising a drum having a front face including a front rim and a rear face including a rear rim, one or more support wheels supporting the drum, an arm extending from the front face of the drum and including a beam collimator through which a beam of radiation is emitted to form a radiation isocentre. One or more rear rim members are associated with the rear rim, the rear rim members adapted to substantially offset isocentre distortion due to unintended movement of the drum assembly. The invention also relates to variants thereto and combinations thereof.