The design and implementation of the beam diagnostics control system for HIMM

Abstract

The Heavy Ion Medical Machine (HIMM) is a compact synchrotron based facility built by the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) in China. This facility delivers carbon ion beams with kinetic energies up to 400 MeV/u for clinical applications. The beam diagnostics system for HIMM is based on 18 different types of monitors and is used to measure all relevant beam parameters from the ion source to the irradiation therapy terminals which are critical for the commissioning of the accelerator as well as during the regular operation to ensure high up-time of the machine. The control system for all the monitors is designed, developed and implemented globally based on a 3-tier architecture with the aim to achieve a clear separation between front-end devices and their controllers. This paper presents the architecture, the design principle and the implementation of this control system. The beam parameters measured based on the detectors′ motion control and data acquisition control system are analyzed in detail. Furthermore, this beam diagnostics control system (BDCS) will be transplanted to the next heavy ion medical machine in Lanzhou city on account of the successful application in Wuwei city, the precise beam parameters measurement, and long term operation with high stability and reliability.