Interleaving multi-energy X-ray energy operation of a standing wave linear accelerator using electronic switches

A method of fast-switching operation of a standing wave linear accelerator, said method comprising:

• injecting a first set of electrons into a longitudinal passageway of said accelerator,
• wherein said accelerator comprises a plurality of main cavities and a plurality of side cavities, each said side cavity communicating with two neighboring main cavities of said plurality of main cavities,
• wherein said longitudinal passageway communicates with said plurality of main cavities,
• wherein at least two side cavities of said plurality of side cavities each comprises an electronic switch, thereby providing at least two detunable side cavities,
• wherein said first set of electrons is accelerated in said longitudinal passageway by an electromagnetic wave coupled into said accelerator, and
• wherein said first set of electrons are emitted from said accelerator at a first energy when said electronic switches of said detunable side cavities are activated to a first activation state;
• activating, substantially simultaneously, said electronic switches of at least two of said detunable side cavities to a second activation state;
• 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 which is different from said first energy.