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Description
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 radio-frequency, injection, and extraction systems were redesigned to accommodate higher beam currents.
A new coaxial-type resonator was developed to cover 16–36 MHz, enabling the acceleration of standard ion species under harmonic modes of h = 2, 3, 6. The ion source acceleration voltage increased from 15 kV to 50 kV to enhance beam intensity and reduce emittance, improving injection efficiency. The central region was reconfigured to optimize beam transmission from the LEBT system.
Beam commissioning commenced in 2022. A 28.5 MeV helium beam was successfully accelerated and is used to produce At-211 for targeted alpha-particle therapy. Light-ion beams have also been injected into the K400 ring cyclotron and extracted for nuclear structure studies. A 392 MeV proton beam is used to generate white neutron and muon beams.
In 2024, heavy-ion acceleration resumed, and a variety of ion beams became available for research and applications. Efforts have also been made to improve operational stability and reliability.
