In-air experimental achievement of high-voltage DC power supply to be installed in a tandem electrostatic accelerator system for boron neutron capture therapy application.

Abstract

The boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system developed by the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences is a compact neutron source that can be installed at medical institutes. The target energy was accelerated to a maximum of 2.4 MeV-20 mA by introducing a gas stripping device that converts negative hydrogen ions into positive ions. By using the tandem-type accelerator in this way, a high-voltage DC power supply was designed with 1.2 MV-45 mA as the maximum capability. The design was improved to reduce the number of stages of a Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier. Hence, the ripple risk of the DC flat top resulting from unwanted stray capacitance was lowered. The overall height and volume of the Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier were reduced to less than half those of the existing design method, making miniaturization possible. After such advanced design and manufacturing, performance tests were performed at 750 kV-45 mA under 23 stages of the Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier, which is the highest level that can perform at its maximum under in-air conditions. It demonstrated stable performance under in-air conditions without breakdown for 2h, even at 620 kV-35 mA. To reach the final target of 1.2 MV-45 mA, the groundwork is laid for achieving experimental performance while satisfying the optimal requirements in SF6 gas.