Lecture Notes: Particle Accelerator and Proton Therapy

Synchrotron and Proton Acceleration

• Diameter: 16 feet
• Function: Uses small magnets to spin protons from hydrogen atoms.
• Speed: Accelerates protons to 2/3 the speed of light.
• Energy Level: Protons are accelerated to energies between 70 and 230 MeV.

Proton Center

• Size: 80,000 square feet
• Components:
  • Synchrotron
  • Research space
  • Three treatment rooms for adult and pediatric patients
• Beam Path:
  • Proton beams travel down a beam line nearly 50 yards long.
  • Enter one of four treatment rooms.

Gantry System

• Electromagnets: Organizes and focuses the proton beam toward the gantry.
• Gantry:
  • Mechanical arm, nearly three stories high.
  • Moves the beam 360 degrees around the patient.
  • Treats tumors from multiple angles.

Treatment Precision

• 3D Imaging:
  • Integrated into the gantry with cone beam CT capability.
  • Provides pinpoint precision for tumor location.
• Proton Beam:
  • 5 millimeters wide.
  • Guided by a 21,000-pound magnet.
  • Directed at the resting patient for layer-by-layer tumor destruction.