Cyclotrons with Fast Variable and/or Multiple Energy Extraction

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel stripping extraction method in isochronous cyclotrons using reverse bends, enabling variable and multiple energy extraction, with applications in isotope production, cancer therapy, and high-intensity proton beams.

Contribution

It introduces a new stripping extraction technique in cyclotrons with reverse bends, allowing for variable energy and multiple energy outputs in a compact design.

Findings

Potential for simultaneous multi-energy beam production

Feasibility of variable energy extraction for therapy

Design considerations for high-intensity applications

Abstract

We discuss the principle possibility of stripping extraction in combination with reverse bends in isochronous separate sector cyclotrons (and/or FFAGs). If one uses reverse bends between the sectors (instead of drifts) and places stripper foils at the sector exit edges, the stripped beam has a reduced bending radius and it should be able to leave the cyclotron within the range of the reverse bend - even if the beam is stripped at less than full energy. We are especially interested in $H_2^+$-cyclotrons, which allow to double the charge to mass ratio by stripping. However the principle could be applied to other ions or ionized molecules as well. For the production of proton beams by stripping extraction of an $H_2^+$-beam, we discuss possible designs for three types of machines: First a low-energy cyclotron for the simultaneous production of several beams at multiple energies - for instance 15 MeV, 30 MeV and 70 MeV - thus allowing to have beam on several isotope production targets. In this case it is desired to have a strong energy dependence of the direction of the extracted beam thus allowing to run multiple target stations simultaneously. Second we consider a fast variable energy proton machine for cancer therapy that should allow extraction (of the complete beam) at all energies in the range of about 70 MeV to about 250 MeV into the same beam line. And third, we consider a high intensity high energy machine, where the main design goals are extraction with low losses, low activation of components and high reliability. The price that has to be paid for these advantages is an increase in size and/or in field strength compared to proton machines with standard extraction at the final energy.