Described are devices, systems, and methods for modulating the spectral energy distribution produced by an x-ray source via control of the energy of the x-ray-generating electron beam, e.g., for energy-modulated radiation therapy or other purposes. In some embodiments, such energy modulation is achieved by an add-on device to a linear accelerator. Also disclosed are computational methods and computer program products for planning energy-modulated therapy.

Described are devices, systems, and methods for modulating the spectral energy distribution produced by an x-ray source via control of the energy of the x-ray-generating electron beam, e.g., for energy-modulated radiation therapy or other purposes. In some embodiments, such energy modulation is achieved by an add-on device to a linear accelerator. Also disclosed are computational methods and computer program products for planning energy-modulated therapy.

A high gradient linear accelerating structure can propagate high frequency waves at a negative harmonic to accelerate low-energy ions. The linear accelerating structure can provide a gradient of 50 MV/m for particles at a β of between 0.3 and 0.4. The high gradient structure can be a part of a linear accelerator configured to provide an energy range from an ion source to 450 MeV/u for .sup.12C.sup.6+ and 250 MeV for protons. The linear accelerator can include one or more of the following sections: a radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator operating at the sub-harmonic of the S-band frequency, a high gradient structure for the energy range from ˜45 MeV/u to ˜450 MeV/u.

A proton treatment system including a proton accelerator structured to generate a proton beam, a beamline pathway configured to direct the proton beam from the proton accelerator to at least one treatment room, a magnet assembly, including superconducting magnets, located in the beamline pathway and configured to transport the proton beam away from the accelerator into the at least one treatment room, an achromat, configured as an achromatic superconducting magnet assembly, that bends the proton beam away from the proton accelerator toward the at least one treatment room, and a collimator provided inside the achromat and configured to select the proton beam with desired energy levels.

The present disclosures relates to an ion beam assembly where a relatively small deflection angle (approximately 15° from the center of the beam line) is used in conjunction with two beam dumps located on either side of the beam. In some embodiments, the combination of the two beam dumps and the magnet assembly can provide an ion beam filter. In some embodiments, the resulting system provides a smaller, safer and more reliable ion beam. In some embodiments, the ion beam can be a proton beam.

A machine, article, process of using, process of making, products produced thereby and necessary intermediates. Illustratively, there can be a process that includes: ionizing at least some injected gas to form ions; confining, without using magnetic fields, at least some of said ions to produce confined ions; accumulating at least some of said confined ions to produce accumulated ions; cooling at least some of said accumulated ions to produce cooled ions; compressing, without using magnetic fields, at least some of said accumulated ions to produce compressed ions; accelerating at least some of said compressed ions to produce accelerated ions; ejecting at least some of said accelerated ions; and measuring at least one property of said ejected ions.

A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as portable electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The exemplary systems and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.

A system of electron irradiation includes an electron accelerator and an electron beam focusing device. The electron accelerator emits and accelerates a beam of electrons. The electron beam focusing device is located at a rear end of the electron irradiation and includes a beam restraining rail and 2n+1 sets of magnetic poles. The beam restraining rail forms a beam restraining channel through which the beam of electrons are to pass. The 2n+1 sets of magnetic poles are installed on the beam restraining rail and distributed at different locations of the beam restraining channel. An nth set of magnetic poles thereof are arranged for performing, on the beam of electrons, focusing in a first direction. An (n+1)th set of magnetic poles thereof are arranged for performing, on the beam of electrons, focusing in a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The n is a positive integer.

A drift tube may include a middle portion, arranged as a hollow cylinder, and coupled to receive an RF voltage signal. The drift tube may include a first end portion, adjacent to and electrically connected to the middle portion. The middle portion and the first end portion may define a central opening to conduct an ion beam therethrough, along a direction of beam propagation. The first end portion may include a first focus assembly, and a second focus assembly, where the first focus assembly and the second focus assembly are movable with respect to one another along the direction of beam propagation, from a first configuration to a second configuration.

A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as portable electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The exemplary systems and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.