Recent developments of ion sources for life-science studies at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (invited).

A Kitagawa,T Fujita,Y Yoshida,A G Drentje,N Shiraishi,M Muramatsu,W Takasugi,S Biri,Y Kato,R Rácz,T Uchida,T Suzuki,K Fukushima,K Takahashi

doi:10.1063/1.4934843

Abstract

With about 1000-h of relativistic high-energy ion beams provided by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, about 70 users are performing various biology experiments every year. A rich variety of ion species from hydrogen to xenon ions with a dose rate of several Gy/min is available. Carbon, iron, silicon, helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, and oxygen ions were utilized between 2012 and 2014. Presently, three electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs) and one Penning ion source are available. Especially, the two frequency heating techniques have improved the performance of an 18 GHz ECRIS. The results have satisfied most requirements for life-science studies. In addition, this improved performance has realized a feasible solution for similar biology experiments with a hospital-specified accelerator complex.

Highlights

One of the important features of heavy-ion beams is a high linear energy transfer (LET)
With about 1000-h of relativistic high-energy ion beams provided by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, about 70 users are performing various biology experiments every year
The two frequency heating techniques have improved the performance of an 18 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

One of the important features of heavy-ion beams is a high linear energy transfer (LET). The risk of heavy-ion beams with an energy of over several hundred MeV is one of the important topics used to study the space environment. One is micro-beam experiments; low-energy single ions irradiate cell samples with an accuracy of sub-micrometers in order to investigate microscopic processes.. Some research facilities are dedicated to nuclear and high-energy physics, such as BEVALAC at the past Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.. Some research facilities are dedicated to nuclear and high-energy physics, such as BEVALAC at the past Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.5 HIMAC treated more than 9000 patients since 1994.8 It is utilized as a second essential task to operate as a users facility for basic experiments in, e.g., physics, chemistry, material science, and life-science studies.

Requirements for life-science experiments

MIVOC method

Two-frequency heating technique

CONCLUSION