Method for Operating a Linear Accelerator and Linear Accelerator Operated According to This Method

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to a method and a system for operating a linear accelerator (linac) that produces electron beams in discrete packets. The core idea is to measure and use the phase offset between these electron packets and the accelerating electromagnetic wave inside the linac to precisely control and determine the electron beam's exit energy. A series of sensors and signal processing techniques are utilized to monitor this phase relationship and adjust the operating parameters in real-time, ensuring stable and efficient beam output.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Medical radiation therapy, where precise electron beam energy is essential for effective and safe treatment.
• Non-destructive material testing, using controlled high-energy electron beams to generate gamma rays for inspecting materials and structures without damage.
• Scientific research in particle physics, where stable and accurately controlled electron beams are necessary for experiments.
• Industrial irradiation processes, including sterilization of medical equipment or food products, that require consistent energy output for effectiveness.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improved control and stabilization of electron beam energy, leading to safer and more effective applications.
• Increased operational efficiency of linear accelerators by enabling energy consistency with minimal power consumption.
• Real-time monitoring and feedback allow for immediate detection and correction of deviations from target energy, enhancing reliability and safety.
• Simplified measurement system design—internal sensors enable precise energy determination without extending the accelerator's size or compromising its operation.
• Flexible adaptation to different accelerator designs and requirements, including medical, industrial, and research applications.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a linear accelerator and a linear accelerator operated according to said method which produces an electron stream in packets and has a hollow chamber structure (2), in which, in order to accelerate the electrons by means of a high frequency generator (10), an electromagnetic wave which oscillates at a base frequency (f0) is produced, wherein a phase signal (P(Δφ1)) dependent on the phase offset (Δφ) of the packets relative to the electromagnetic wave present in the hollow chamber structure (2) is determined and used to control and/or to determine the energy of the electrons at the exit of the linear accelerator.