Synchrotron Accelerator


The Proton Synchrotron Accelerator System

The 250 MeV synchrotron accelerator is a ring of magnets through which protons circulate in near perfect vacuum. It produces the high-energy protons required for proton beam treatment.

Protons are initially produced in a device called the ion source. These protons are then accelerated in a compact linear accelerator called the RFQ (Radio Frequency Quadrupole). At this point, the protons are comparatively low in energy, about 2.5 MeV.

After the RFQ, these comparatively low energy protons are injected into the synchrotron, where significant acceleration begins.

With each turn in the accelerator, an accelerating RF voltage is applied to the protons. As the proton's energy increases, so does the ring's magnetic field, which maintains a constant radial orbit. For safety, sensors monitor the energy in the ring against the requested energy, inhibiting extraction if there is a disagreement for any reason.

The synchrotron provides selectable energies from 70-250 MeV, (with a 0.1 MeV resolution), as well as intensity adjustment in order to closely control the patient treatment process. The magnetic field is held constant when it reaches a value that corresponds to the prescribed beam energy. At this point, protons are slowly extracted from the ring and into the beam transport system. The synchrotron and its associated subsystems are computer controlled and monitored.

The operation of the Optivus synchrotron has demonstrated extraordinary environmental performance. see radiation measurements under "The Optimum Accelerator"


Sub-systems of the Conforma 3000:  

• The Synchrotron Accelerator
• The Beam Transport System
• The Stationary Beam (Fixed Beam)
• Gantries (Isocentric Gantries)
• Patient Alignment and Digital Imaging Systems
• Facility Control System