Tandem proton accelerator as injector for TRAPP

Abstract

To inject protons to the TRAPP (synchrotron for therapy of cancer) a tandem accelerator has been constructed. Its parameters are: protons energy is 1.4 MeV, current is 3 mA, pulse duration is 2 μs, frequency is up to 1 Hz. Negative hydrogen ions are extracted through the slit from a magnetron discharge on the heated surface of the LaB6 cathode. The beam of negative ions with an initial energy of 25 kV accelerates up to the half energy in the first accelerating tube, than recharges into protons in gas nitrogen target in a tube at a potential of 700 kV. After that, the proton beam doubles its energy in the second accelerating tube. Operating and control of the tandem are by means of computer.