The IMPELA TM 10 MeV, 50 kW electron linac: launching an industrial accelerator product

Abstract

In the previous conferences there has been no shortage of ideas, experiments and prototypes for industrial accelerators. Indeed, physicists propose new ideas at a rate faster than industry can get irradiators to the market. Certainly, the basic physics design must be sound, but this is a far from sufficient condition for an accelerator to succeed. Good physics design is needed to provide a good combination of electrical efficiency and useable power within the scan width. It may, however, be counterproductive if high performance compromises inherent reliability. From the engineering discipline is required an engineered control interface, an engineered product control and dosimetry system and traceable quality assurance. Just as important, the industrial client seeks an irradiator that is built quickly, and will be supported over a long service life (10–20 years). It is also necessary to assist the client in facility design, licencing and process verification. Providing these additional functions is a challenge for the business champions which equals what the technical champions face in obtaining full beam power.