Hybrid linear accelerator with a broad range of regulated electron and X-ray beam parameters includes both standing wave and traveling wave linear sections for providing a multiple-energy high-efficiency electron beam or X-ray beam useful for security inspection, non-destructive testing, radiation therapy, and other applications

A Hybrid LINAC with high beam efficiency and broad energy regulation for security inspection, non-destructive testing, radiotherapy, and electron beam irradiation of objects, the Hybrid LINAC comprising:

• an electron gun configured to provide an input beam of electrons;
• a standing wave linear accelerator section (SW Buncher) configured to receive the input beam of electrons and accelerate the electrons, the SW Buncher including an SW Input RF Coupler, the SW Buncher providing an intermediate beam of accelerated electrons;
• a traveling wave linear accelerator section (TW accelerator) configured to receive the intermediate beam of accelerated electrons, and to further increase the momentum and energy of the accelerated electrons, the TW accelerator including a TW Input RF Coupler and a TW Output RF Coupler, the TW accelerator providing an output beam of electrons;
• a drift space configured to provide RF decoupling between the SW buncher and the TW accelerator, while also permitting transit of the intermediate beam of accelerated electrons from the SW buncher to the TW accelerator;
• an RF Splitter configured to receive RF energy, and to bifurcate the RF energy;
• an RF source configured to provide RF energy to the RF splitter via a first RF Transmitting Waveguide, the RF Splitter providing a first portion of the bifurcated RF energy to the SW Buncher via a second RF Transmitting Waveguide and the SW Input RF Coupler, the second RF Transmitting Waveguide also enabling the SW Buncher to be fed with RF power not used by the TW Accelerator so as to provide high beam efficiency of the output beam of electrons;
• and
• at least one of a Switch, a Phase Shifter, and a Power Adjuster, cooperative with both the RF Splitter and the TW Input RF Coupler via a third RF Transmitting Waveguide, the at least one of a Switch, a Phase Shifter, and a Power Adjuster being capable of redistributing RF power between the SW Buncher and the TW Accelerator, and/or changing phase relationship between the SW Buncher and the TW Accelerator, thereby allowing the TW Accelerator to serve as an adjustable resonant load so as to provide broad energy regulation of the output beam of electrons.

A Hybrid LINAC with high beam efficiency and broad energy regulation for security inspection, non-destructive testing, radiotherapy, and electron beam irradiation of objects, the Hybrid LINAC comprising:

• an electron gun configured to provide an input beam of electrons;
• a standing wave linear accelerator section (SW Buncher) configured to receive the input beam of electrons and accelerate the electrons, the SW Buncher providing an intermediate beam of accelerated electrons;
• a traveling wave linear accelerator section (TW accelerator) configured to receive the intermediate beam of accelerated electrons, and to further increase the momentum and energy of the accelerated electrons, the TW accelerator including a TW Output RF Coupler, the TW accelerator providing an output beam of electrons;
• a Hybrid RF Coupler configured to provide RF coupling between the SW buncher and the TW accelerator, while also permitting transit of the intermediate beam of accelerated electrons from the SW buncher to the TW accelerator;
• an RF source configured to provide RF energy to both the SW Buncher and the TW accelerator via an RF Transmitting Waveguide cooperative with the Hybrid RF Coupler;
• and
• a Matched RF Load cooperative with at least one of a Switch, a Phase Shifter, and a Power Adjuster, the Matched RF Load also being cooperative with the TW Output RF Coupler, the Matched RF Load being matched so as to absorb RF power remaining after acceleration in the TW Accelerator in accordance with the at least one of the Switch, the Phase Shifter, and the Power Adjuster, thereby allowing the TW Accelerator to serve as an adjustable resonant load so as to provide broad energy regulation of the output beam of electrons, and so as to provide high beam efficiency of the output beam of electrons.