| AVS 60th International Symposium and Exhibition | |
| Vacuum Technology | Wednesday Sessions |
| Session VT-WeM |
| Session: | Pumps, Accelerators and Large Vacuum Systems |
| Presenter: | J.R. Noonan, Argonne National Laboratory |
| Authors: | J.R. Noonan, Argonne National Laboratory D.R. Walters, Argonne National Laboratory |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
High energy particle accelerators have been essential to developing fundamental knowledge of the nature of matter and energy 1. Even from the early history of accelerators, accelerators have applications in materials science, biology, and medical therapies. Over 70% of accelerators in operation are for industrial and medical applications. Medical treatment can be categorized into therapeutic and diagnostic applications. External beam radiation therapy refers to radiation sources that are non-invasive. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in which multi-MeV electrons strike a tungsten target to make x-rays is the largest application. Cyberknife is a “pencil beam” of electrons is focused on a small target to make a narrow x-ray beam source. High energy proton and heavy ion beams are used for precise radiation delivery. However, because of the expense, there are only a limited number of proton (heavy ion) beam centers. External beam radiation therapy (mostly x-rays) has significantly improved cancer survivability. Electron beams are focused directly on tumors in Intraoperative Radiation Therapy. The electrons beam is used after a tumor is surgically removed. Accelerators are also used to produce radioactive isotopes that are used in diagnostic imaging. Proton cyclotrons and linacs are the most used accelerators. However, electron linacs are used for special isotopes. Nuclear reactors are currently the dominant sources for isotopes; however, because of nuclear security, accelerators for isotope production are being developed. The presentation will discuss how the accelerators are used in medicine and the long lead time before accelerator advances are incorporated into medical therapy. The presentation will also give examples of advanced accelerator technology for radiation therapy.
1. Accelerators for America, Washington, D.C., (editors W. Hennig and C. Shank , DOE, June 2010