Interleaving Multi-Energy X-Ray Energy Operation Of A Standing Wave Linear Accelerator
AssigneeAccuray Incorporated
InventorsChing-Hung Ho, Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in providing electrons of at least two different energy ranges, which can be contacted with x-ray targets to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The LINAC can be operated to output electrons at different energies by varying the power of the electromagnetic wave input to the LINAC, or by using a detunable side cavity which includes an activatable window.
Claims28
A method for generating a high dose rate of electrons of different energies using a standing wave linear accelerator, the method comprising:
- (a) coupling a first electromagnetic wave into said accelerator;
- (b) applying a first electron beam current and a first voltage to an electron gun to eject a first set of electrons from said electron gun into a longitudinal passageway of said accelerator, wherein said first set of electrons is emitted at a first energy;
- and
- (c) applying a second electron beam current and a second voltage to said electron gun to eject a second set of electrons from said electron gun into said longitudinal passageway, wherein said second set of electrons is emitted at a second energy,
- wherein said second energy is different from said first energy.
A method for generating a beam of x-rays at a two different ranges of x-ray energies from a target positioned near a first end of a standing wave linear accelerator, wherein said accelerator comprises an electron gun positioned at a second end of said accelerator opposite to said first end, said method comprising:
- coupling an electromagnetic wave into said accelerator;
- applying a first electron beam current and a first voltage to an electron gun to eject a first set of electrons from said electron gun into a longitudinal passageway of said accelerator, wherein said first set of electrons is emitted at a first energy;
- contacting said target with said first set of electrons, thereby generating a first beam of x-rays having energies in a first range of x-ray energies from said target;
- applying a second electron beam current and a second voltage to said electron gun to eject a second set of electrons from said electron gun into said longitudinal passageway, wherein said second set of electrons is emitted at a second energy,
- wherein said second energy is greater than said first energy;
- and
- contacting said target with said second set of electrons, thereby generating a second beam of x-rays having energies in a second range of x-ray energies from said target.
A method for generating electrons at multiple energies using a standing wave linear accelerator, comprising:
- coupling an electromagnetic wave into an accelerator,
- wherein said accelerator comprises a plurality of main cavities and a plurality of side cavities,
- wherein each said side cavity communicates with two neighboring main cavities of said plurality of main cavities, and
- wherein at least one side cavity of said plurality of side cavities comprises an activatable window positioned in said at least one side cavity;
- and
- injecting a first set of electrons into a longitudinal passageway positioned along a longitudinal axis of said accelerator,
- wherein said longitudinal passageway communicates with said plurality of main cavities,
- wherein said first set of electrons is accelerated by said electromagnetic wave in a region of said longitudinal passageway in communication with at least one of said main cavities, and
- wherein said first set of electrons is emitted from said accelerator at a first energy when said activatable window is not activated;
- activating said at least one activatable window;
- and
- injecting a second set of electrons into said longitudinal passageway;
- wherein said second set of electrons is emitted from said accelerator at a second energy when said activatable window is activated.
A standing wave linear accelerator, comprising:
- a plurality of main cavities and a plurality of side cavities;
- wherein each said side cavity communicates with two neighboring main cavities of said plurality of main cavities, and
- wherein at least one side cavity of said plurality of side cavities comprises an activatable window positioned in said at least one side cavity, thereby providing at least one detunable side cavity;
- and
- wherein said at least one detunable side cavity is configured such that a standing wave is disrupted in main cavities of said plurality of main cavities located downstream of said at least one detunable side cavity when said activatable window is activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.