A fusion reactor includes an improved ability to modulate a plasma for specific purposes. The reactor operates on the ability to change at least four separate variables in each of a plurality of lenses that are independent of the other lenses. This allows for the generation of Alfvn waves and modulation of the internal plasma dynamics, actively leading to higher states of efficiency. By combining modulation of a plasma in the form of an ion beam with a solid state metal target, an efficient fast neutron source can be produced. This can lead to industrial applications such as energy generation, nuclear clean-up, the production of rare earth metals out of semi-rare ones, and helium production.

A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.

A continuous wave ion linear accelerator PET radioisotope system is disclosed. The system includes a high brightness H.sup. ion source, a continuous wave RF quadrupole structure, and continuous wave RF interdigital structures to accelerate the ion beam to about 14 MeV. A high energy beam transport system is also described that includes a photo-detachment beam splitter and a magnet lattice for forming the proton beam into a beam having a Waterbag beam profile. The system also includes one or more targets upon which the proton beam is incident. The targets are either a high power metallic target oriented at about 10 degrees or a low thermal conductivity target oriented at about 35 degrees. The invention includes a method of producing PET isotopes by use of the systems described.

A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.

Apparatuses and methods for accelerating charged particles including a charged particle source configured to provide charged particles, an accelerator including: a cavity having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, an electro-magnet substantially surrounding at least a portion of the cavity, a conductor disposed longitudinally within the cavity configured to accelerate the charged particles entering the cavity through the one or more inlets via a radio frequency wave applied to the cavity, wherein the radio frequency wave operates in transverse electromagnetic mode, and a target configured to receive the accelerated charged particles via the one or more outlets.

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.

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.

Apparatuses and methods for accelerating charged particles including a charged particle source configured to provide charged particles, an accelerator including: a cavity having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, an electro-magnet substantially surrounding at least a portion of the cavity, a conductor disposed longitudinally within the cavity configured to accelerate the charged particles entering the cavity through the one or more inlets via a radio frequency wave applied to the cavity, wherein the radio frequency wave operates in transverse electromagnetic mode, and a target configured to receive the accelerated charged particles via the one or more outlets.

Disclosed herein is a portable information terminal performing operation of a first operation item at a desired position. The portable information terminal is separated from a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus performing processing of a sample by irradiating the sample with a charged particle beam, and includes a display controller causing a display unit to display an image containing a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of operating a 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 apparatus may include a drift tube assembly having a plurality of drift tubes to conduct an ion beam along a beam propagation direction. The plurality of drift tubes may define a multi-gap configuration corresponding to a plurality of acceleration gaps, wherein at least one powered drift tube of the drift tube assembly is coupled to receive an RF voltage signal. The apparatus may also include a DC electrode assembly that includes a conductor line, arranged within a resonator coil that is coupled to receive a DC voltage signal into the at least one powered drift tube. The DC electrode assembly may also include a DC electrode arrangement, connected to the conductor line and disposed within the at least one powered drift tube.