A linear accelerator system comprising a source arranged to produce a pulsed beam of charged particles, a linear accelerator string arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to a predetermined range of energies, and a pre-acceleration stage interposed between the source and the linear accelerator string and arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to an energy suitable for beam insertion into the linear accelerator string and perform bunching of the pulsed beam. An average current detector is arranged to measure an average current in the pulsed beam, the average current detector comprising at least one non-interceptive sensor placed at an input side of the linear accelerator string, downstream of the pre-acceleration stage, the sensor being responsive to the pulsed beam passing thereby.

A linear accelerator comprises side-coupled cavity cells configured to accelerate electrons with a radio frequency field. The field amplitude in the initial cells is lower than in the later cells, and the initial cells are shorter than the later cells. This creates a capture section where electrons are captured and bunched while experiencing low acceleration, followed by an acceleration section where the bunched electrons experience stronger acceleration.

An accelerator (30, 40, 50) includes: a plurality of acceleration cavities (31, 41, 51) having one or two acceleration gaps; and a plurality of first control means (33, 43, 53) provided with respect to each of the plurality of acceleration cavities, each of the plurality of first control means independently generating an oscillating electric field and controlling a motion of an ion beam inside a corresponding acceleration cavity. In addition, M-number of multipole magnets (32, 42, 52) which generate a magnetic field and which control a motion of an ion beam may be provided downstream to N-number of acceleration cavities. The first control means independently controls acceleration voltage and a phase thereof and supplies radiofrequency power. Accordingly, particularly in a front stage of acceleration, a DC beam from an ion generation source can be adiabatically captured.

An accelerator (30, 40, 50) includes: a plurality of acceleration cavities (31, 41, 51) having one or two acceleration gaps; and a plurality of first control means (33, 43, 53) provided with respect to each of the plurality of acceleration cavities, each of the plurality of first control means independently generating an oscillating electric field and controlling a motion of an ion beam inside a corresponding acceleration cavity. In addition, M-number of multipole magnets (32, 42, 52) which generate a magnetic field and which control a motion of an ion beam may be provided downstream to N-number of acceleration cavities. The first control means independently controls acceleration voltage and a phase thereof and supplies radiofrequency power. Accordingly, particularly in a front stage of acceleration, a DC beam from an ion generation source can be adiabatically captured.

A system for measuring and controlling the phase of an incoming analog waveform is disclosed. The system comprises an analog to digital converter to convert the incoming analog waveform to a digital representation. The system also includes a clock delay generator, which allows a programmable amount of delay to be introduced into the sample clock for the ADC. The system further comprises a controller to manipulate the delay used by the clock delay generator and store the outputs from the ADC. The controller can then use the digitized representation to determine the frequency of the incoming analog waveform, its phase drift and its phase relative to a master clock. The controller can then modify the output of a RF generator in response to these determinations.

A system for measuring and controlling the phase of an incoming analog waveform is disclosed. The system comprises an analog to digital converter to convert the incoming analog waveform to a digital representation. The system also includes a clock delay generator, which allows a programmable amount of delay to be introduced into the sample clock for the ADC. The system further comprises a controller to manipulate the delay used by the clock delay generator and store the outputs from the ADC. The controller can then use the digitized representation to determine the frequency of the incoming analog waveform, its phase drift and its phase relative to a master clock. The controller can then modify the output of a RF generator in response to these determinations.

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.

A wafer-based charged particle accelerator includes a charged particle source and at least one RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly and a power supply coupled to the at least one RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly. The wafer-based charged particle accelerator may further include a beam current-sensor. The wafer-based charged particle accelerator may further include at least a second RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly and at least one ESQ charged particle focusing wafer. Fabrication methods are disclosed for RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assemblies, ESQ charged particle focusing wafers, and the wafer-based charged particle accelerator.

A wafer-based charged particle accelerator includes a charged particle source and at least one RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly and a power supply coupled to the at least one RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly. The wafer-based charged particle accelerator may further include a beam current-sensor. The wafer-based charged particle accelerator may further include at least a second RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assembly and at least one ESQ charged particle focusing wafer. Fabrication methods are disclosed for RF charged particle accelerator wafer sub-assemblies, ESQ charged particle focusing wafers, and the wafer-based charged particle accelerator.

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.