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An Inexpensive Electron Source--World Physics Technologies, Inc., 1105 Highland Circle, Blacksburg, VA 24060-5618; 540-953-2249
Dr. Edward A. Knapp, Principal Investigator
Ms. Anna W. Saunders, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82712
Amount: $600,000
This project responds to an announced need for an electron source by developing a novel linear accelerator injected racetrack microtron. The microtron uses permanent magnets, incorporates a laser-stimulated thermionic electron gun in the first accelerating cell, and produces very short, high current pulses at selectable repetition rates. The electron source will produce 12 beams with energies from 5 to 35 MeV, selectable in 2.5 MeV steps. Each beam will have more than 109 electrons in bunches less than 5 ps long and selectable repetition rates from a single bunch to ~300 Hz. In Phase I, the following tasks were accomplished: (1) optimization of the radio frequency gun cavity for fourth sub-harmonic operation; (2) calculation of the gun and injector accelerating beam dynamics; (3) optimization of the beam optics; (4) optimization of the bending magnets; (5) calculation of the input and output beam lines; and (6) development of power supply system design. In Phase II, a prototype electron source will be built and all necessary documentation, including working drawings and an operational manual, will be produced so that production models can be made.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: In production the Electron Source should cost approximately $600,000. Potential applications include: (1) university/industrial/ government advanced accelerator laboratories, (2) free electron laser drivers, and (3) medical cancer treatment facilities.