Targeted α-therapy with α-particle-emitting isotopes such as 225Ac, 223Ra, 213Bi, 212Pb, has demonstrated a successful clinic trial effect. However, the major bottleneck for conducting translational research and future extensive clinical treatments is the limited availability of those α-emitting isotopes. Meanwhile, radioactive ion beam physics research, material irradiation and nuclear...
I will present an overview of the current status of IsoDAR Cyclotron research and development, as well as the associated physics program.
Originally conceived to meet the requirements of the IsoDAR (Isotope Decay-At-Rest) neutrino experiment, the modular design of the HCHC (High-Current H₂⁺ Cyclotron) family enables the fabrication of cost-effective and compact cyclotrons covering an energy...
ome of the new cyclotron projects currently under study or construction address new challenges. In particular, the START project of the company TRANSMUTEX to drive a subcritical reactor with a 4 MW proton beam, the 6 MW CYCIAE-2000 project, the IsoDar cyclotron of MIT, the new 230 MeV superconducting cyclotron for proton therapy and flash therapy in Dubna, and the upgrading of the Catania...
A new injection beamline for the 500 MeV cyclotron has been designed, constructed, and commissioned. Approximately 40 meters of electrostatic transport now replace the previous injection system, extending from the H⁻ ion source to the vertical injection section. The upgrade also includes the integration of a second H⁻ ion source, connected through additional electrostatic beam transport, to...
The upgrade of the Superconducting Cyclotron at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania is aimed at improving its performance in terms of intensity of light ions, as well as in terms of reliability. The project was financed in 2019 by the Italian Ministery of University and Research. The Cyclotron was kept operative until the end of 2020, then in 2021 it was dismantled, so as to proceed...
The upgrade project of the RCNP K140 AVF cyclotron was initiated in 2019 to provide intense light-ion beams for the production of short-lived radioisotopes and high-quality, high-intensity beams for precision nuclear physics experiments. Except for the main coil, pole pieces, and yoke of the cyclotron magnet, most components were replaced with newly fabricated systems. In particular, the...
Although the cyclotron accelerators at HIRFL, namely the Sector-Focused Cyclotron (SFC) and the Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC), are over sixty years old, beam commissioning continues to run successfully. The SFC, installed in 1962, can accelerate heavy ions to 17 MeV per nucleon or protons to 37 MeV, with an average current of 10 µA. The SSC (Sector-Separated Cyclotron), commissioned in...
The cyclotron, which has been around for over 80 years, experienced a period of vigorous development in the last ten years due to urgent needs in multiple application fields, specially for ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight, and high-power cyclotrons.
Since 2013, a low-temperature 230MeV superconducting cyclotron CYCIAE-230 has been developed and successfully obtained the first beam at 231MeV...
We present the magnet design of an adjustable-field isochronous permanent magnet cyclotron concept, capable of accelerating protons to 18 MeV. Within the cyclotron, the permanent magnet is distributed about the cyclotron return yoke above and below the midplane in rotatable cones. With an outer radius of 1.36 m and height of 1.22 m, the design can replicate the field strength (up to 2.3 T...
A series of upgrades were implemented at the AECR ion source at UMCG-PARTREC to improve ion beam performance. The focus was on increasing beam intensity, enhancing long-term stability, optimizing ion species control in cocktail beams, and identifying optimal RF injection frequencies for plasma heating. A key enhancement was the installation of an Einzel lens. This increased the transmission...
We propose a new class of compact superconducting cyclotrons based on the stripping of H3+ ions. In this method, H3+ ions are accelerated and pass through a thin carbon foil, where the electrons are removed to produce three protons per ion. Compact cyclotrons require high magnetic fields, which makes H- acceleration impractical; H3+ ions, however, can possibly tolerate much higher fields and...
A superconducting cyclotron, the CYCIAE230, has been developed by CIAE of CNNC for proton therapy applications over the past few years. The beam commissioning of this machine was completed previously, in 2023. A series of improvements were carried out in the early part of this year to increase the stability and beam intensity of the cyclotron for potential FLASH usage. It includes optimizing...
This manuscript examines the non-linear interaction between the negative energy beam cyclotron mode and high-frequency whistler waves. The negative energy beam mode is supported in the vicinity of the beam gyro-frequency harmonics by a gyrating ion beam with
ring shaped velocity distribution. Using a gyrating ion beam, we have examined how dust charge variations affect the parametric...
Alpha particle accelerators hold significant potential for applications in the production of medical radioisotopes, particularly demonstrating unique advantages in obtaining At-211 medical radioisotope, which is difficult to produce via traditional neutron reactions, such as reactor neutron irradiation. In this paper, a high-frequency resonant cavity operating at 36.8 MHz was designed for a 30...
Achieving reliable, fast, and reproducible cyclotron tuning remains a key operational challenge as accelerators move towards increasingly complex beam configurations and higher intensities. To address this, we conducted a two-week experimental campaign at PSI Injector 2 to evaluate the feasibility of applying reinforcement learning (RL) for real-time beam optimization. These experiments...
A Fixed Field Alternating gradient (FFA) accelerator is an option as a proton driver for the next generation spallation neutron source (ISIS-II) in the UK. To demonstrate FFA suitability for high intensity operation, a prototype 3-12 MeV proton ring is proposed at RAL using as injector the ISIS Front End Test Stand (FETS). The lattice of this ring, called FETS-FFA, is more similar to a...
We have designed a q/A=1/2 K100 cyclotron for various applications including the production of medical isotopes and neutrons using high-intensity H2+, D+, He2+ ions at the maximum energy of 25 MeV/u. In addition, with acceleration of fully charge-stripped light heavy ions such as 14N7+, 36Ar18+, we plan to study space radiation effects on semiconductor chips and precision radiobiology by using...
Improvements in beam power and current for large-scale accelerators place increasingly strict demands on operational stability. Traditional operation-and-maintenance strategies are becoming insufficient to meet these high-availability requirements. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence offer a new technical paradigm for delivering efficient, reliable accelerator operation. In this study,...
At RIKEN RIBF, the development of 28-GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (SC-ECRIS) [1] is crucial for advancing high-intensity beams of various ion species for scientific, industrial and medical applications. To achieve the RIBF upgrade's core goal [2] of extracting a 2-particle ${\mu}$A uranium (U) beam from the superconducting ring cyclotron (SRC), it is essential...
In 2024 the SPES project entered in the commissioning phase and the cyclotron has restarted the operation by providing the primary proton beam for the ISOL target. During the shutdown, many ancillary systems of the cyclotron have been upgraded in order to improve the reliability of the machine in view of the full operation mode expected in next years. The upgrades and the status of recent...
The cyclotron JULIC at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), has been operating for over 56 years. It is a remarkable example of innovation, long-lasting technology and reliability. With its high performance and versatility it was an essential part of the FZJ research program in the field of nuclear physics, irradiation experiments for medical, technical and space application and radiation effects...
In the large family of particle accelerators and in the relatively small environment of the wideband cyclic accelerators, the high-power RF Systems were mostly based on the vacuum tube
technologies up to a couple of decades ago. Unfortunately, some alarm bells about the tube market
prospective, relative to the low bandwidth of the cyclotron radiofrequencies, appeared quite clearly
about ten...
The IsoDAR experiment aims to deliver a high-intensity neutrino source for precision measurements in neutrino physics. Central to this effort is the development of a compact, high-current cyclotron capable of accelerating H₂⁺ ions to 60 MeV/amu. This presentation provides a status update on the cyclotron’s development, covering key aspects of its radiofrequency (RF) systems, magnetic...
South Africa has a proud history of radionuclide production dating back to the 1960s. Since those pioneering years, several improvements and additions have been made to the accelerator infrastructure in the country to exploit this advantage. In recent years an isotope, astatine-211, has emerged as a promising candidate for α-particle therapy of cancers. As a result of this interest, 211At has...
iThemba LABS is an accelerator based science research facility administered by National Research Foundation (NRF) and has been in operation since 1986. iThemba operates a K200 separated sector cyclotron for research in nuclear physics, radiation biophysics and the production of medical radioisotopes. iThemba LABS has installed an IBA C70 cyclotron, which is phase one of the South African...
The Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) conducts fundamental scientific research alongside extensive applied science activities on its accelerator complex. Key applied research areas include the production of heterogeneous micro- and nano-structured materials; radiation hardness testing of electronic components (avionics and space electronics); ion-implantation nanotechnology and...
Neutron sources play a key role in advancing nuclear energy systems and expanding nuclear technology applications. The FDS Consortium has developed a series of neutron sources for various uses, such as the Mini Neutron Generator (MINEG), Small Neutron Generator (SNEG), Compact Neutron Source (CONEG), High Intensity Neutron Source (HINEG), and Volumetric Neutron Source (VNEG). MINEG, with a...
PARticle Therapy REsearch Center (PARTREC) operates the AGOR AVF superconducting cyclotron capable of delivering multiple particle types (protons, light and heavy ions) at multiple extraction energies (from 8 to 190 MeV/u, dependent on particle type).
Following decades of routine operation of AGOR’s cryogenic system, the filling of the cryostat and extraction channels with liquid helium...
Understanding ion transport across crystalline–amorphous interfaces is essential for advancing next-generation solid-state ionic conductors. In this study, we integrate synchrotron-based spectroscopic and diffraction techniques with large-scale machine learning potential (MLP) simulations to elucidate the microscopic ion transport mechanisms in a partially amorphized natural mineral...
During the flight, spacecraft are constantly exposed to cosmic ionizing radiation. This radiation causes various types of radiation effects in on-board electronics. The most dangerous for modern electronics are single event effects from the impact of individual charged particles of galactic and solar cosmic rays. Charged particles accelerators are used to simulate the impact of heavy ions on...
Particle accelerators, such as cyclotrons, are intricate and extensive installations that demand meticulous maintenance and precise control over their operational conditions. It is inevitable that some minor malfunctions will occur. These malfunctions can lead to an increase in pressure within the vacuum vessel of the facility. Nevertheless, there are situations during the operation of...
This report will focuse on clinical difficulties, technical transformation paths, and international cooperation possibilities of proton therapy. The construction history, development scale, core technologies, and clinical achievements of China’s proton therapy centers, especially the progress of proton therapy in Shandong Cancer Hospital will be introduced systematically. In addition, this...
The NHa C400 [1] is an isochronous cyclotron for cancer therapy which can deliver high intensity of alphas to carbons at 400 MeV/amu and protons at 260 MeV. It is the first cyclotron-based clinical carbon therapy solution worldwide characterized by K=1600, this is the strongest compact cyclotron. Most of the part of the cyclotron has been constructed and assembled as well as subsystems such:...
Heavy ion beam therapy has become an important modality in cancer treatment due to its characteristic Bragg peak and high relative biological effectiveness. Currently, there are 18 heavy ion therapy centers in operation worldwide, with 5 located in mainland China. This paper focuses on the current status of heavy ion therapy facilities in China, objectively describes the technical features of...
Five sets of 240 MeV superconducting proton cyclotrons (SC240) have been successfully developed by Hefei CAS Ion Medical and Technical Devices Co., Ltd. (HFCIM) in collaboration with the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Two of these SC240 have been installed and are currently operational at dedicated proton therapy system in Hefei and Wuhan. The SC240 employs...
The construction and commissioning of the SPES facility is the flagship project of the INFN Legnaro National Laboratories. The goal is to build a state of the art accelerator facility to carry on research in the fields of Fundamental Physics and Interdisciplinary Physics. The core of the project is represented by a high-intensity cyclotron capable of delivering proton beams at 35-70 MeV with a...
Molecular imaging in nuclear medicine, based on radiopharmaceuticals, enables the diagnosis and evaluation of major diseases at the molecular level. The development and translation of radiopharmaceuticals driven by clinical needs represent the essence of nuclear medicine advancement. Existing radiopharmaceuticals, such as 18F-FDG, hailed as the "Molecule of the Century," play a critical role...
Peking University has built a fully integrated ecosystem for radiopharmaceutical research that spans radionuclide production, drug discovery, and clinical translation, catalyzing innovation at the interface of nuclear science and precision medicine. At its core is the Radiopharmaceutical Research Center (Cyclotron Platform), anchored by the CIAE-developed CYCIAE-14 cyclotron (14.6-MeV...
Several alpha-emitting radioisotopes, Ac-225, Ra-223, and Th-227, can be produced from natural thorium targets, primarily through nuclear reactions induced by a high-energy proton irradiation. These isotopes are of interest for targeted alpha therapy, a cancer treatment approach that utilizes the high energy of alpha particles to destroy cancer cells selectively. Ac-225 radioisotope decays...
A key challenge in particle accelerators is achieving high peak intensity. Space charge effects are strongest at injection and typically limit the achievable peak intensity in a ring. The beam stacking technique can overcome this limitation by accumulating a beam at high energy, where space charge is weaker. It also allows the user cycle and the acceleration cycle to be decoupled. In beam...
The neutron yield of the neutron source based on the 18MeV/1mA high-intensity cyclotron developed by the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) has reached 7×10^13 n/s and has been successfully applied in high-resolution neutron imaging and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) experiments. Precise and quantitative start-to-end beam dynamics simulations facilitate a better understanding of the...
Cyclotrons for isotope production and proton therapy are becoming increasingly compact and widely used. The main trend is reducing size by increasing the magnetic field strength through superconductivity. I propose an alternative approach: instead of increasing the magnetic field, switch to a different scheme—raise the RF system frequency, making the system more compact. Additionally, by...
Proton beam therapy has demonstrated over the past 50 years clear advantages compared to conventional radiotherapy. However, the use of high energy protons results in the production of complex mixed secondary neutron and photon fields. The shielding calculations and activation studies require the use of complex computation codes such as the MCNP6 and the FISPACT-2 codes. The use of those codes...
The progress of HTS technology has been particularly impressive in the last decade. The progress of commercialization of high-temperature superconducting tapes will depend on the degree of mass production and the price.. Eastern Superconductor Science& Technology(Suzhou) Co.,Ltd (Eastern Superconductor) has developed a new MOCVD technology to prepare the REBCO film. The stability of the MOCVD...
A high-intensity cyclotron dedicated to the production of the radiopharmaceutical Astatine-211 (At-211) has been designed. This cyclotron employs an external injection system to introduce alpha particles, utilizing a four straight-sector magnet design and a dual radio-frequency (RF) cavity configuration to accelerate the alpha particles to an energy of 30 MeV. The beam is then extracted from...
Over the past decade, IBA has modernized its cyclotron design tools and accelerator portfolio. This presentation shares key lessons learned, illustrated with practical examples.
Controlling gas stripping is essential to minimize beam losses and component activation. Tools like SPICE models and Molflow+ help simulate vacuum behavior.
Beam dynamics in the central region, particularly phase...
In this manuscript, a comparative study is presented on the generation of ion Bernstein waves and ion cyclotron waves through the parametric instability of whistler waves in dusty plasma. The electron density perturbations associated with the ion Bernstein wave couple with the oscillatory velocity of plasma electrons driven by the whistler pump wave, creating a nonlinear current that drives...
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The lengthy treatment time of pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBS-PT) limits its application for mobile tumors like liver cancer. This study aims to combine a high-efficiency beam transport system with spot reduction techniques to significantly shorten treatment time, enabling single breath-hold therapy.
Materials and Methods
We simulated three...
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary targeted radiotherapy technique that exploits the high neutron-capture cross-section of Boron-10. The treatment planning system (TPS) is the essential component of the BNCT system used to make treatment plans for patients, which can simulate the treatment process, adjust the parameters in the irradiation process and calculate the dose in the...
To address the demands for extensive customization, high measurement throughput, and stringent control accuracy in cyclotron magnetic-field measurement and control, this paper presents a general-purpose, parameterized system. The hardware platform is centered on a Beckhoff PLC, integrating I/O, encoder, and serial-communication modules, and supporting both EtherCAT-based stepper and servo...
This study presents the design and development of a new power supply intended to provide a highly stabilized current, serving as a replace-ment for an existing linear converter used in the main magnet of the NHS cyclotron. The power supply is capable of operating in DC mode with currents reaching up to 900 A. It employs a proven modular design approach, previously implemented in other...
This paper summarizes recent progress in cyclotron research and development at Lanzhou University. In computational physics, a comprehensive time-domain beam dynamics code, RAYS, has been developed that solves the Newton-Lorentz equation using 4th or 5th order Runge-Kutta integrators to simulate particles from injection to extraction. RAYS supports synchrocyclotron modeling with a time-varying...
Low-level radio frequency (LLRF) systems play an essential role in cyclotron control, and the beam quality is closely tied to the overall performance of the RF system. Efforts have been carried out by the individuals of the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), focusing on the design of a self-excited digital LLRF system for ultra-lightweight high-temperature superconducting cyclotrons in...
In the operation system of a synchronous cyclotron, a broadband high-power RF power source plays an extremely important role. The RF power source is responsible for generating and providing high-frequency alternating electric fields, continuously injecting energy for particle acceleration. Its performance directly determines the acceleration efficiency, beam quality, and operational stability...
Cyclotron design involves extensive computations for both individual accelerator systems and particle dynamics, requiring careful optimization of numerous interdependent parameters. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into cyclotron design and operation is already demonstrating significant benefits, accelerating development, enhancing control, and...
A software tool has been designed which allows us to make isochronous cyclotron field maps. The rotational symmetry number, the center field, the particle properties, the maximum radius and the sector spiraling angle as function of radius can be freely chosen. Out of four radius-dependent parameters (flutter, hill-field, valley-field and sector azimuthal extent), the user can define two of...
The dynamics of a proton beam in the MSC230 cyclotron were simulated. Since the maximum beam current is limited by extraction efficiency, an approach was employed, in which the beam trajectory started at the deflector with an emittance equal to its acceptance and ended at the entrance of the ion source. This method allows for a detailed characterization of the phase space boundaries for the...
Determining the energy of cyclotron beams is challenging. Calculating it from the machine settings typically results in an error of several percent. Higher accuracy requires measurement, but each developed measurement system has disadvantages: either the space requirement is large, the unit is destructive, or the signal evaluation is complicated. The Beam Energy Monitor (BEM) was designed to...
The China Institute of Atomic Energy is developing an ultra-compact multi-particle superconducting cyclotron, which can provide two different ions, including a particle and H_2^+ with corresponding energies. To ensure convenient operation and stabilize the beam current, a PLC-based control system with comprehensive interlock protection has been developed. This paper presents the design of a...
For the treatment of major diseases such as cancer, Positron Emission Tomography(PET) nuclear medicine imaging technology has irreplaceable advantages over traditional imaging technology.At present, 18F-2-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is a widely used positron electron drug in clinical practice in China. Therefore, the Chinese Academy of Atomic Energy has carried out the research and development of...
At the CYC2022 conference, IBA presented its new 30 MeV proton accelerator. The first installation of this Cyclone® IKON, with four beam transmission lines and a beam energy of 30 down to 13 MeV, has now successfully been commissioned and is running at a customer site.
In this presentation we will go into the details of the accelerator’s performance, from its injection to its transmission,...
Focusing on high-power radio-frequency systems for ultra-lightweight high-temperature superconducting cyclotrons in special environments, we aim to make breakthroughs in key technologies that restrict the improvement of radio-frequency system reliability for highly automated cyclotrons. Research has been conducted on direct power combining technology and dynamic matching adjustment for...
The proposed cooling system is designed with a high reliability factor and considering the economic issues and costs based on the use of a 40 ton chiller for temperature changes of 4.5 to 10 degrees Celsius, which is able to continuously control the water temperature in this range.
In this system, the parts of magnet coil, cavity, power transmission line, ion spring and radiofrequency current...
Focusing on the high precision dose distribution monitoring in the spot scan beam delivery system of proton therapy, we design and fabricate a high-precision ionization chamber with multiple strip electrodes, ensuring a stable gain from the ionized pair. Based on advanced laser etching technology, using aluminum-plated polyimide film as the electrode material, we investigated multiple...
The China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) has de-veloped a multipurpose, high-intensity 18 MeV/1 mA cyclotron (CYCIAE-18) for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) applications and neutron imaging studies. The degree of beam homogenisation directly affects the uniformity of the dose distribution and the imaging contrast. In order to confirm that the pre-experimental condi-tions have been met,...
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a cell-level precision targeted treatment modality. This paper designs a scanning magnet system for an 18 MeV/1 mA proton cyclotron-based BNCT facility. By continuously scanning in both horizontal and vertical directions using two scanning magnets, the system delivers a flat-topped square beam density distribution of 100 mm × 100 mm with uniformity...
In medical isotope production, target materials for dif-ferent isotopes exhibit significantly different physical properties. To improve nuclear reaction yield and effi-ciency, target structures of various specifications are required to produce different radioisotopes. However, multi-specification targets hinder automated production and increase on-site operation time. To reduce personnel...
Ever since the first non-classical isochronous cyclotron was invented in 1956, the stability of the isochronism of this kind of accelerator has been pursued for decades. For the CYCIAE-230 superconducting cyclotron, the matching between the RF frequency and the magnet field is even more challenging. A dedicated 2nd harmonic resonator has been designed, manufactured, and installed on the...
Beamline magnets are essential parts of an accelerator system in order to ensure final beam quality on the target. Thus it is necessary to conduct magnetic field measurement and shimming to ensure that ever magnet has sufficient field accuracy. CIAE is vigorously promoting the industrialization of cyclotrons and the promotion of design capabilities for other types of particle accelerator. In...
In order to achieve the magnetic field measurement work for the 50MeV proton cyclotron irradiation device, a fully automatic magnetic field measurement device based on the Hall effect method is designed, using non-magnetic materials G10 and PEEK with high strength and wear resistance, optimizing the gear ratio, reducing the weight of the device, and adjusting the magnetic field measurement...
To bridge the gap between conventional X-ray tubes and large-scale X-ray generation facilities, we have developed a Desktop Hard X-ray Source. This device provides higher X-ray intensity compared with traditional X-ray tubes while maintaining advantages of compactness, low cost, and ease of operation. The device consists of three main components: an injector, a beam transport line, and a...
Abstract
The Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) system is crucial for amplitude and phase control in modern parti-cle accelerators. Traditional amplitude and phase de-modulation methods often require the sampling frequen-cy to be multiple of the high-frequency signal, leading to limited general applicability. To address this issue, this paper proposes a generic tuning control method,...
The development of a 100 MeV Spiral-Sector cyclotron, which is capable of extracting a beam with a rated power exceeding 50 kW, is in progress at The China Institute of Atomic Energy. Such a machine is designed for the production of medical radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. The basic parameters of the isochronous cyclotron magnet and its characteristics are described. An isochronous magnetic...
Recently, the Special Environmental Science and Application Infrastructure for Materials and Devices (SEMD), proposed by Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), has commenced construction. It is dedicated to investigating the mechanisms governing the influence of special service environments on materials/devices. Within the SEMD facility, a medium-to-high-energy Proton Irradiation Research...
Modern compact cyclotrons have multiple system components and are used for isotope research, neutron imaging and BNCT. All these applications demand that the cyclotron possesses high reliability. Focusing on the series of compact high-current cyclotrons of the China Institute of Atomic Energy, a control system architecture is constructed in this paper, which effectively improves the stability...
To address the beam diagnostics requirements of multiple cyclotrons at China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), a multi-channel digital beam diagnostics electronics system based on current-to-voltage (IV) conversion was developed. The IV conversion circuit integrates high-precision operational amplifiers with ultra-low bias current and low-temperature-drift resistors. The system implements a...
This research focuses on making compact cyclotrons genuinely reconfigurable without hardware changes (matchbox) with digitally timed, wide-range RF/voltage source.
We propose a concept that introduces a digitally agile acceleration-voltage source that replaces an analogue sinusoidal RF drive with a programmable, soft-edged square-pulse waveform. The Digital Soft Square Wave Generator (DISWAG)...
Proton radiation dominates space radiation (∼90%) and threatens deep space missions, yet its effects on gut microbiota at mission-relevant doses (0.1-1 Gy) are unclear. This study assessed impacts in BALB/c mice exposed to whole-body proton irradiation (0, 0.1, or 1 Gy; 100 MeV cyclotron). Fecal samples (day 3 post-irradiation) underwent 16S rRNA sequencing. Results revealed a dose threshold:...
Medical radioactive isotopes play an increasingly critical role in nuclear medicine. Accelerator-based production of medical isotopes offers advantages including simplified regulatory approvals, operational flexibility, system safety, and lower costs, making it an important production method. This study proposes a multi-isotope co-production system utilizing electron accelerators. The...
In this study, we investigated the feasibility of accelerating helium ions with the COLUMBUS educational cyclotron, which until now had been operated exclusively with hydrogen ions. The primary questions addressed were whether helium ions can be successfully accelerated under the existing experimental conditions, and whether He-3 ions can be detected in the beam.
These questions were first...
Sichuan Longevous Beamtech is currently developing a tri-particle cyclotron LB-30TP. The LB-30TP cyclotron is designed to be able to accelerate protons(H-) between 13 and 35MeV, deuterons(D-) between 6.5 and 17.5MeV, and alpha particles(He2+) up to 30MeV.
To compensate the difference of relativistic effects between H- and D- beams, two sets of tuning coils are winded around each pole base,...
The use of AVF cyclotrons for proton therapy in hospitals has been on the rise in recent years. However, further miniaturization is essential for wider adoption. Our company has previously succeeded in reducing the size of conventional AVF cyclotrons for proton therapy to approximately 60% of their original dimensions by implementing superconducting technology.
While synchrocyclotrons are...
The imaging accuracy of proton radiography critically depends on the beam transfer matrix defined by magnetic lenses. However, fringe field effects introduce nonlinear magnetic components, causing deviations from the ideal hard-edge model and limiting the performance of con-ventional optics designs. In this study, we systematically investigate methods for precise characterization and...
It is inevitable to carry out beam diagnostics inside the superconducting cyclotron used for proton therapy at the application site. Radial probe plays an essential role in the field of beam diagnostics for SC cyclotrons. Years of efforts have been put forward by a group in the China Institute of Atomic Energy, focusing on advancing the beam diagnostics probe and readout electronics for the...
Compact cyclotrons need kilovolt Radiofrequency in the MHz range, yet product changeovers increasingly demand drives that can retune frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle. We report the design and experimental validation of a high-voltage, low-MHz transformer/matching network tailored for a digitally synthesized, soft-square Class-D driver. The method co-optimizes magnetizing inductance,...
Compact high-intensity cyclotrons are increasingly important for isotope production worldwide. The SK1000 is a proposed superconducting cyclotron designed to accelerate H₃⁺ ions to 120 MeV/u. It features a large main magnet with a height of 2.99 m, a diameter of 7.58 m, and an outer sector radius of 2.25 m. The manufacturing and installation of a magnet of this scale inevitably introduce field...
The upgrade of the Superconducting Cyclotron at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania is aimed at improving its performance in terms of intensity of light ions, as well as in terms of reliability. In the framework of the upgrade, a key milestone has been the magnetic field measurements of the new superconducting magnet, with the following goals: a) to implement a measurement procedure...
Sichuan Longevous Beamtech is currently developing a new tri-particle cyclotron LB-30TP. The LB-30TP cyclotron is designed to be able to accelerate protons(H-) between 13 and 35MeV, deuterons(D-) between 6.5 and 17.5MeV, and alpha particles(He2+) up to 30MeV.
The proton and deuteron beams are generated by a multi-cusp ion source, while the alpha particle beams are generated by an ECR ion...
Abstract:
Superconducting ring cyclotrons (SRCs) are widely studied as drivers in accelerator-driven systems (ADS) for thorium-based molten-salt energy amplifiers, owing to their capability of delivering high-energy and high-intensity beams. This poster presents the magnet system design of an H₂⁺ superconducting separated-sector cyclotron with an extracted beam energy of 800 MeV/amu for ADS...
In pursuit of enhanced beam current and spatial efficiency in high-intensity cyclotrons, this study investigates a novel accelerator concept: the use of multiple axially separated orbits (multi-plane) operating under a common magnet system. A key challenge in such a configuration is maintaining isochronism across distinct axial planes, which critically depends on the uniformity of the magnetic...
Cyclotron-based proton therapy systems have become the mainstream equipment in modern radiation oncology. Their therapeutic efficacy critically depends on the precise control of key beam parameters such as intensity and energy. In clinical applications, energy modulation is typically achieved by a degrader. However, it inevitably induces large dynamic fluctuations in beam intensity. In...
In the previous cyclotron conference, an analytical prediction for the energy limit of isochronous cyclotrons was presented. The current paper shows numerical results to validate this model. For this purpose, extensive use is made of a tool that creates artificial isochronous magnetic field maps; a tool that is the subject of another contribution to this conference. A wide range of field maps...
High-intensity proton cyclotrons have widespread applications in scientific research, medical treatments, and industrial processes. As cyclotron technology continues to evolve, the trend leans toward more compact designs with increased beam intensity. Our proposed design involves a 120 MeV/u superconducting H3+ cyclotron named SK1000, capable of achieving 3 times the operational beam intensity...
This paper presents preliminary steps for the shimming of IRANCYC-10 cyclotron magnet. Shimming, as a crucial step in magnet fabrication, significantly contributes to improving particle acceleration quality, beam stability, and the precision of output energy. Since some shimming procedures—such as pole edge trimming—are irreversible, they require a high degree of accuracy. In this study, the...
Ion source is an important subsystem in accelerators, which employ electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles to generate ion beams. Accelerators are essential facilities for advancing multidisciplinary research and developing technological applications, such as production of medically relevant radioisotopes and ion beam irradiation of cyclotrons. Among the various ion source...
Nowadays, there are almost 5 million new patients every year who get cancer in China. However isotope drugs are not enough according to this large numbers of patients. A compact cyclotron with 16-MeV proton is designed for current tough situation to product isotopes.
The diameter of the core part of this compact cyclotron is less than 60 cm. Physics simulation has been done by the CODE...
High-current compact cyclotrons face strong space-charge limitations during axial injection, where the low-energy proton beam expands before reaching the inflector. We present a novel plasma-assisted neutralization module designed as a drop-in element between the final solenoid and the inflector entrance. The device consists of a short solenoid surrounding a beamline cell operated at...
This paper presents beam dynamics studies for the CSNS-FFAG accelerator, designed for 50kW proton beams at 25Hz repetition rate. We report on orbit correction and betatron tune measurement methods developed for this fixed-field alternating gradient machine.
The research program of Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (JINR) in the synthesis of Super Heavy Elements and in applied research requires the production of intense accelerated beams of solid materials. Constant developments are being made to broaden the range of available beams for physics.
In this paper we report the results of production Ti ion beams by plasma sputtering. The...
A superconducting cyclotron-based proton therapy system has been developed at the Chengdu Cyclotron Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (CCST). For a cyclotron-based proton therapy system, the ion chamber at the nozzle is crucial for both the therapy system and the adaptation of the planning system. In practice, to achieve low noise measurement, the existing system is equipped with 256 triaxial...
To monitor the beam energy and transverse distribution of the 50 MeV proton cyclotron facility in Huairou, a fixed-spacing strip ionization chamber is planned for development. Based on factors affecting the measurement accuracy of flat-panel ionization chambers, Monte Carlo simulation software such as Geant4 and Srim was employed to calculate parameters including energy deposition and particle...
With the growing demand for neutrons in applications such as detector calibration, device irradiation, and cross-section measurements, neutron sources are advancing toward higher energy and higher flux. In Beijing, China, two neutron beamlines, a quasi-monoenergetic one and a white light one, based on a proton cyclotron with a maximum energy of 50 MeV is under construction and preparation. We...
Ultra-compact SC cyclotrons for high-intensity medical isotope production pose unprecedented central region design challenges. Strong magnetic fields, compact geometry, and intense space charge effects generate complex focusing conditions where conventional design approaches prove inadequate. In the central region, magnetic focusing is negligible due to minimal azimuthal field variation, while...
Beam transport line of uniformization is an essential step before beam shooting and plays a critical role in applications such as neutron imaging and isotope production. In practical experiments, particle beams generated by cyclotrons typically exhibit an approximately Gaussian intensity distribution. Local bright spots on the targets for high-power Gaussian beams create difficult cooling...
This study describes the production of $^{68}\text{Ga}$ by irradiating an enriched $^{68}\text{ZnCl}_2$ liquid target with a 12 MeV, 50 μA proton beam in a cyclotron. The post-irradiation products were first simulated, and a simulated solution was prepared based on the computational results.
This solution was adjusted to approximately pH 5.0 and subsequently loaded onto a pre-conditioned...
In order to enhance the coating quality of tantalum-based electroplated nickel targets for the production of ⁶⁴Cu radionuclides, and to address issues such as thin and easily detachable nickel coatings in conventional targets, this study systematically investigated the pretreatment processes of tantalum substrates, the composition of the plating bath, and electroplating parameters. The effects...
This study compares the production of $^{68}\text{Ge}$ using proton irradiation on two types of targets: an electroplated gallium-nickel alloy solid target and a niobium-encapsulated capsule with natural gallium. The alloy target was prepared on copper via electroplating, while the capsule was designed and fabricated to be irradiated in a cyclotron. The generated $^{68}\text{Ge}$ was then...
The PEPITES* profiler was originally designed for continuous operation on medium-energy (O(100 MeV)) charged particle accelerators. Its ultra-thin structure relies on secondary electron emission (SEE) to generate signals. It has successfully measured the positions and profiles of various hadron beams across a wide dynamic range.
This innovative device consists of 50 nm gold strips deposited...
A new technology research of a high-current H2+ small cyclotron is in progress at China Institute of Atomic Energy. The cyclotron is designed based on a RFQ injection line, which is expected to break through the current limit of the small cyclotron and bring the current of the small cyclotron to above 3mA. This project is designed to achieve a particle energy of 10MeV, and the theoretical...
Accelerator based neutron sources generate a large number of secondary electrons during operation. For example, secondary electrons generated by cyclotrons will change the spatial distribution of the beam and reduce the stability of the beam. Secondary electrons generated by neutron generators will flow back to the ion source, increase the load of the high-voltage power supply, and affect the...
Actinium-225 is a radionuclide of significant interest in the field of Targeted Alpha Particle Radiotherapy (TAT), with its targeted drugs showing promising applications for prostate cancer, brain tumours, neuroendocrine tumours, and more. One of the primary approaches being explored by major international laboratories for the commercial production of $^{225}\text{Ac}$ involves the spallation...
The HIRFL-SSC employs a resonance free extraction method. In the h=4 mode, the larger turn separation allows for single-turn extraction and the extraction efficiency is high, whereas in the h=2 mode, the smaller turn separation results in lower extraction efficiency. To improve the SSC transmission efficiency, simulations were conducted to analyze the extraction efficiency and acceptance under...
Ultra-compact multi-particle SC cyclotron being developed by CIAE is intended to be a high intensity cyclotron, especially for H2+ particle and particle acceleration. Two half-wavelength RF cavities are installed in the valleys of the main magnet independently. The high dynamic beam loading requires high reliability and robust for RF cavity. The structural design and machining process for...
Achieving the design goal of a collision luminosity of 1035 cm-2s-1 for the Super Tau-Charm Facility (STCF) poses a critical challenge in optimizing the performance of the injected positron damping ring. This damping ring must damp a 1 GeV positron beam with a large injected transverse emittance (>1400 nm·rad) to an extracted transverse emittance below 11...
The China Institute of Atomic Energy is developing a 30 MeV high-current cyclotron. To meet the injection requirements of the accelerator, this paper presents the injection line design and particle tracking simulation calculations. The injection line employs a combination of electromagnetic lenses for beam focusing. The overall injection field spans 1.19 m and consists of electrostatic lenses,...
The study of radiation effects and radiation-hardening technology has become increasingly demanding for modern proton cyclotrons in the middle energy range. To meet this requirement, the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) has designed and constructed a dedicated irradiation terminal downstream of the beamline, following the telescope section, for the CYCIAE-230 superconducting cyclotron...
With the development of the aerospace industry, the duration of astronauts' stay in space has significantly increased, and space radiation has become one of the major threats to their health. Vascular endothelial cells are relatively sensitive to ionizing radiation, and their dysfunction is closely associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Currently, the damage mechanism of...
For modern medical cyclotrons the acceleration of beams of negatively or positively charged protons is most widespread. As a rule, negatively charged ions are extracted from cyclotron by recharging on a thin carbon foil. It is a easy realization method. However, to produce negatively charged protons, a complex system of external injection is usually used. Besides, the effect of electromagnetic...
At the present time, the activities on reconstruction of U400 to U400R cyclotron are carried out at the FLNR, JINR. The new multipurpose U400R cyclotron is intended for production of high intensity, up to 2.5 pmkA, beams of heavy ions from Helium to Uranium with mass to charge ratio A/Z= 4 - 12. The magnetic structure of the new cyclotron will provide a wide range of the magnetic field level...
An 18MeV/1mA high-current cyclotron has been designed and constructed at the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). In this cyclotron, H⁻ ions are accelerated and extracted via carbon stripping foils. To analyze beam loss in this high-current machine, beam dynamics simulations were performed based on measured magnetic field data. The simulations account for beam oscillations, phase slippage,...
Ironless superconducting cyclotrons, with their advantages of strong magnetic field, compact size, ultralight weight and less sensitive to ambient temperature, show broad application prospects in many areas, such as isotope production, proton irradiation, etc. However, compared to conventional room temperature cyclotron with iron yokes, using superconducting coils as magnet poles and operating...
To enhance the reliability and service life of a metallic beryllium (Be) target used in a cyclotron-based neutron source under high-beam-power conditions, this study presents the design and numerical simulation of a solid Be target with a back-cooling structure. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to analyze the thermal effects induced by a proton beam with an energy...
Abstract: As a fourth-generation nuclear reactor concept, molten salt reactors (MSRs) have unique advantages in safety, economy, and nonproliferation, but online fuel salt treatment remains immature. To avoid complex online fuel treatment, the Thorium-Based Molten Salt Fast Energy Amplifier (TMSFEA) concept was proposed. Compared with traditional Accelerator-Driven Subcritical (ADS) systems,...
The INFN-LNS is proceeding with the upgrade of the Superconducting Cyclotron, the final goal is the increasing of extraction efficiency to reach a beam power up to 10 kW. RF systems are also undergoing significant changes through several upgrades. The new control system architecture presented will be able to manage the LLRF system, HLRF devices, and beam pulsing systems on a single hardware...
The 70 MeV cyclotron in use at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro at INFN was designed to deliver proton current up to 0.75 mA. Being designed as a relatively high current cyclotron, little attention was dedicated to the possibility to operate at low currents in the order of few tens of nA. On the other side, it is very interesting to try to increase the deliverable current near or above the 1 mA...
We present ZycloSim 2000, a software package developed to simulate the motion of ions in a classical, non-relativistic cyclotron. The program is primarily designed for educational purposes and is employed in workshops and laboratory courses to illustrate cyclotron dynamics and to investigate the resonance condition in detail.
The code allows the user to adjust a wide range of parameters,...
