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Tantawi, S

Publications and source records attributed to Tantawi, S.

TU-H-BRC-09: Validation of a Novel Therapeutic X-Ray Array Source and Collimation System

Purpose: We have experimentally characterized and simulated the dosimetric properties and spatial fidelity of a novel X-ray array source and collimation system called SPHINX that has the potential to generate complex intensity modulated X-ray beams by varying the electron beam intensity only, and without any moving parts like in multi-leaf collimators. Methods: We investigated the spatial fidelity and the X-ray performances of a SPHINX prototype in tungsten, using a Cyber Knife and the experimental high-energy electron beam line at XTA at SLAC National Laboratory. Dose distributions were recorded with gafchromic films, placed at the distal end of SPHINX and at several depths in a solid water phantom. The geometry of SPHINX and of the experimental set-ups was also modeled in Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with the FLUKA code, used to reproduce the experimental results and, after validation, to predict and optimize the performance and design of the SPHINX. Results: The results indicate significant particle leakage through the channels during a single-channel irradiation for high incident energies, followed by a rapid decrease for energies of clinical interest. When the collimator channels are used as target, the photon production increases, however at expense of the beam size that is also enlarged. The illumination of all channels simultaneously shows a fairly even transmission of the beam. Conclusion: With the measurements we have verified the MC models and the uniformity of beam transmission through SPHINX, and we have evaluated the importance of particle leakage through adjacent channels. These results can be used to optimize SPHINX design through the validated MC simulations. Funding: Weston Havens Foundation, Office of the Dean of Medical School and Office of the Provost (Stanford University). Loo, Maxim, Borchard, Tantawi are co-founders of TibaRay Inc. Loo and Tantawi are TibaRay Inc. board members. Loo and Maxim received grants from Varian Medical Systems and RaySearch Laboratory.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

TU-H-BRA-07: Design, Construction, and Installation of An Experimental Beam Line for the Development of MRI-Linac Compatible Electron Accelerator

Purpose: MRI guided radiation therapy (MRIgRT) is a rapidly growing field; however, Linac operation in MRI fringe fields represents an ongoing challenge. We have previously shown in-silico that Linacs could be redesigned to function in the in-line orientation with no magnetic shielding by adopting an RF-gun configuration. Other authors have also published insilico studies of Linac operation in magnetic fields; however to date no experimental validation data is published. This work details the design, construction, and installation of an experimental beam line to validate our in-silico results. Methods: An RF-gun comprising 1.5 accelerating cells and capable of generating electron energies up to 3.2MeV is used. The experimental apparatus was designed to monitor both beam current (toroid current monitor), spot size (two phosphor screens with viewports), and generate peak magnetic fields of at least 1000G (three variable current electromagnetic coils). Thermal FEM simulations were developed to ensure coil temperature remained within 100degC. Other design considerations included beam disposal, vacuum maintenance, radiation shielding, earthquake safety, and machine protection interlocks. Results: The beam line has been designed, built, and installed in a radiation shielded bunker. Water cooling, power supplies, thermo-couples, cameras, and radiation shielding have been successfully connected and tested. Interlock testing, vacuum processing, and RF processing have been successfully completed. The first beam on is expected within weeks. The coil heating simulations show that with care, peak fields of up to 1200G (320G at cathode) can be produced using 40A current, which is well within the fields expected for MRI-Linac systems. The maximum coil temperature at this current was 84degC after 6 minutes. Conclusion: An experimental beam line has been constructed and installed at SLAC in order to experimentally characterise RF gun performance in in-line magnetic fields, validate in-silico design work, and provide the first published experimental data relating to accelerator functionality for MRIgRT.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Electron dynamics and transverse-kick elimination in a high-field short-period helical microwave undulator

Single electron dynamics for a circular polarized standing wave (CPSW) undulator synthesized from a corrugated cavity operating with a very low-loss HE{sub 11} mode are analyzed. The mechanism of the transverse drift of the CPSW undulator and its elimination are researched, and the tapered-field ends are found effectively to suppress the kick. A prototype of the CPSW undulator with the characters of short undulating-period 1.4 cm, high field K {approx} 1, large aperture {approx} 5 cm, and variable polarization is designed and modeled, whose 3-dimensional electromagnetic fields are used to research the suppression of the transverse kick.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Design of RF Feed System for Standing-Wave Accelerator Structures

We are investigating a standing wave accelerator structure that uses a rf feed to each individual cell. This approach minimizes rf power flow and electromagnetic energy absorbed by an rf breakdown. The objective of this work is a robust high-gradient (above 100 MV/m) X-band accelerator structure.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Demonstration of the High RF Power Production Feasibility in the CLIC Power Extraction and Transfer Structure (PETS)

A fundamental element of the CLIC concept is two-beam acceleration, where RF power is extracted from a high current, low energy drive beam in order to accelerate the low current main beam to high energy. The CLIC Power Extraction and Transfer Structure (PETS) is a passive microwave device in which bunches of the drive beam interact with the constant impedance of the periodically loaded waveguide and excite preferentially the synchronous mode. The RF power produced is collected downstream of the structure by means of the RF power extractor; it is delivered to the main linac using the waveguide network connecting the PETS to the main CLIC accelerating structures. The PETS should produce 135 MW at 240 ns RF pulses at a very low breakdown rate: BDR < 10{sup -7}/pulse/m. Over 2010, a thorough high RF power testing program was conducted in order to investigate the ultimate performance and the limiting factors for the PETS operation. The testing program is described and the results are presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

X-Band Crab Cavities for the CLIC Beam Delivery System

The CLIC machine incorporates a 20 mrad crossing angle at the IP to aid the extraction of spent beams. In order to recover the luminosity lost through the crossing angle a crab cavity is proposed to rotate the bunches prior to collision. The crab cavity is chosen to have the same frequency as the main linac (11.9942 GHz) as a compromise between size, phase stability requirements and beam loading. It is proposed to use a HE11 mode travelling wave structure as the CLIC crab cavity in order to minimise beam loading and mode separation. The position of the crab cavity close to the final focus enhances the effect of transverse wake-fields so effective wake-field damping is required. A damped detuned structure is proposed to suppress and de-cohere the wake-field hence reducing their effect. Design considerations for the CLIC crab cavity will be discussed as well as the proposed high power testing of these structures at SLAC. Design of a crab cavity for CLIC is underway at the Cockcroft Institute in collaboration with SLAC. This effort draws on a large degree of synergy with the ILC crab cavity developed at the Cockcroft Institute and other deflecting structure development at SLAC. A study of phase and amplitude variations in the cavity suggests that the tolerances are very tight and require a 'beyond state of the art' LLRF control system. A study of cavity geometry and its effect on the cavity fields has been performed using Microwave studio. This study has suggested that for our cavity an iris radius between 4-5 mm is optimum with an iris thickness of 2-3 mm based on group velocity and peak fields. A study of the cavity wakefields show that the single bunch wakes are unlikely to be a problem but the short bunch spacing may cause the multi-bunch wakefields to be an issue. This will require some of the modes to be damped strongly so that the wake is damped significantly before any following bunch arrives. Various methods of damping have been investigated and suggest that waveguide damping in the cells should provide sufficient damping in the vertical plane, which is the most sensitive.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗