A hybrid linear accelerator is disclosed comprising a standing wave linear accelerator section (“SW section”) followed by a travelling wave linear accelerator section (“TW section”). In one example, RF power is provided to the TW section and power not used by the TW section is provided to the SW section via a waveguide. An RF switch, an RF phase adjuster, and/or an RF power adjuster is provided along the waveguide to change the energy and/or phase of the RF power provided to the SW section. In another example, RF power is provided to both the SW section and the TW section, and RF power not used by the TW section is provided to the SW section, via an RF switch, an RF phase adjuster, and/or an RF power. In another example, an RF load is matched to the output of the TW section by an RF switch.

A Hybrid (SW+TW) Linear Acellerator is disclosed having high beam efficiency and broad energy regulation that is useful for security inspection, non-destructive testing, radiotherapy, and electron beam irradiation of objects. The Hybrid Linear Accelerator (LINAC) provides superior energy regulation, and includes a reversed RF power distribution which substantially improves RF power utilization, thereby eliminating need for an output RF load, and ensuring broad electron beam energy regulation operating in a broad range of input RF power, thereby efficiently running at a variety of input electron beam current intensities at high efficiency. The Hybrid LINAC may be equipped with a fast and/or slow phase shifter and/or a power regulator having a phase shifter and a current regulator, while operating much more efficiently than known LINACS. The Hybrid LINAC permits efficient operation without an external magnetic field, thereby avoiding use of a power-consuming solenoid, consequently reducing cost of production, operation, and maintenance.

Some embodiments include a system comprising: an RF source configured to generate an RF signal; an RF frequency control circuit coupled to the RF source and configured to adjust a frequency of the RF signal; an accelerator structure configured to accelerate a particle beam in response to the RF signal; and control logic configured to: receive a plurality of settings over time for the RF source; adjust the RF signal in response to the settings; and adjust a setpoint of the RF frequency control circuit in response to the settings.

One of the obstacles to the widespread use of proton therapy is the availability of affordable and compact proton sources and accelerators. The use of linear accelerators allow the construction of such a compact source which may be installed in existing medical facilities. However, instability occurs after accelerating units are turned on or off. A proton linear accelerator system configured to provide RF energy during the off-time of the proton beam operating cycle may be used for increasing or maintaining the temperature of cavities. A method of operating a proton beam is also provided which is suitable for irradiating tissue. These may provide an improved settling time.

Some embodiments include a system comprising: a particle power source configured to generate a particle power signal; a radio frequency (RF) power source configured to generate an RF power signal; a particle source configured to generate a particle beam in response to the particle power signal; a RF source configured to generate an RF signal in response to the RF power signal; and an accelerator structure configured to accelerate the particle beam in response to the RF signal; wherein a timing of the RF power signal is different from a timing of the particle power signal.

Some embodiments include a system comprising: an RF source configured to generate an RF signal; an RF frequency control circuit coupled to the RF source and configured to adjust a frequency of the RF signal; an accelerator structure configured to accelerate a particle beam in response to the RF signal; and control logic configured to: receive a plurality of settings over time for the RF source; adjust the RF signal in response to the settings; and adjust a setpoint of the RF frequency control circuit in response to the settings.

Some embodiments include a system comprising: a particle power source configured to generate a particle power signal; a radio frequency (RF) power source configured to generate an RF power signal; a particle source configured to generate a particle beam in response to the particle power signal; a RF source configured to generate an RF signal in response to the RF power signal; and an accelerator structure configured to accelerate the particle beam in response to the RF signal; wherein a timing of the RF power signal is different from a timing of the particle power signal.

Some embodiments include a system comprising: a first control logic configured to receive a first trigger and generate a second trigger in response to the first trigger the second trigger having a delay relative to the first trigger of a configurable number of cycles of a counter of the first control logic; a second control logic configured to receive the second trigger and generate a third trigger in response to the second trigger the third trigger having a delay relative to the second trigger of a configurable number of cycles of a counter of the second control logic; and a third control logic configured to receive the second trigger and generate a fourth trigger in response to the second trigger the fourth trigger having a delay relative to the second trigger of a configurable number of cycles of a counter of the third control logic. A particle beam may be accelerated in response to the triggers.

A hybrid linear accelerator is disclosed comprising a standing wave linear accelerator section (SW section) followed by a travelling wave linear accelerator section (TW section). In one example, RF power is provided to the TW section and power not used by the TW section is provided to the SW section via a waveguide. An RF switch, an RF phase adjuster, and/or an RF power adjuster is provided along the waveguide to change the energy and/or phase of the RF power provided to the SW section. In another example, RF power is provided to both the SW section and the TW section, and RF power not used by the TW section is provided to the SW section, via an RF switch, an RF phase adjuster, and/or an RF power. In another example, an RF load is matched to the output of the TW section by an RF switch.

A Hybrid (SW+TW) Linear Accelerator is disclosed having high beam efficiency and broad energy regulation that is useful for security inspection, non-destructive testing, radiotherapy, and electron beam irradiation of objects. The Hybrid Linear Accelerator (LINAC) provides superior energy regulation, and includes a reversed RF power distribution which substantially improves RF power utilization, thereby eliminating need for an output RF load, and ensuring broad electron beam energy regulation operating in a broad range of input RF power, thereby efficiently running at a variety of input electron beam current intensities at high efficiency. The Hybrid LINAC may be equipped with a fast and/or slow phase shifter and/or a power regulator having a phase shifter and a current regulator, while operating much more efficiently than known LINACS. The Hybrid LINAC permits efficient operation without an external magnetic field, thereby avoiding use of a power-consuming solenoid, consequently reducing cost of production, operation, and maintenance.