RADIABEAM TECHNOLOGIES, LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 23b

Description

Category 1 radiological sources, such as those used for radiation therapy and industrial irradiation processes, represent a significant radiological hazard for users and the public, and pose a threat of diversion for terrorist attacks. Replacing such sources with the cost effective electronic irradiation solutions (i.e. accelerators) would constitute a major advance in public safety. Thus, new approaches towards reducing accelerator cost and improving user experience are sought. RadiaBeam Technologies is developing a novel, high average power induction accelerator termed, Radiatron. The Radiatron is a rethinking of the classic betatron using modern materials and design techniques but still relying on inductive coupling as the accelerating mechanism (using no RF power). For many intermediate power irradiation applications Radiatron offers an excellent value proposition both as a replacement for Category 1 irradiators, and as an alternative lower cost acceleration technology vis-à-vis RF linacs. In Phase I of this project, RadiaBeam will address the most challenging part of the Radiatron design, which is beam extraction, by developing a detailed numerical model and optimizing resonant extraction with the minimal beam loss. Other sub-systems design and engineering will be advanced to enable a prototype development in the Phase II. The Radiatron will be dramatically less expensive, in terms of cost per kW of beam power, than current RF accelerators, and thus will gain market share in multiple segments, such as medical device sterilization, high energy radiography, food irradiation and environmental applications.