Design of a VHEE Radiotherapy Machine: A Potential New Paradigm in Cancer Treatment

博士生有机会开发一种高梯度直线加速器和相关的射频，工作在200-250 mV，适用于VHEE放射治疗机。这项研究将为癌症治疗提供一种潜在的新范式。这项工作将利用欧洲核子研究中心为CLIC(紧凑型直线对撞机)进行的20多年的研究。在适当的调整下，将研究一种全面的放射治疗电子机，能够以快速的速度提供高剂量-因此能够利用超高剂量率“闪光”放射治疗的最新进展。每个加速结构将以~100 mV/m的速度运行，能够以高度共形的方式提供10s的射线。博士学位的一部分还包括将多个直线加速器引导到治疗区域的实用性--从而研究“冻结”患者的运动。这将需要与曼彻斯特大学、达累斯伯里实验室、Elekta和CERN合作。这个项目将包括射频、光束动力学、真空科学和机械工程方面。将探索在现实的时间框架内实现VHEE放射治疗机的实用性。该项目包括分析、模拟和实验三个方面的研究。研究的方向将根据学生的兴趣和能力来决定。

There is the opportunity for a Ph.D. student to develop a high gradient linac and associated RF, operating at 200 - 250 MV, suitable for a VHEE radiotherapy machine. This research will allow for a potential new paradigm in cancer treatment. The work will capitalise on more than two decades of research conducted for CLIC (Compact Linear Collider) at CERN. With suitable adaptation, a full radiotherapy electron machine will be investigated, capable of delivering a high dose at a rapid rate -and hence able to take advantage of the latest advances in ultrahigh dose -rate "FLASH" radiotherapy. Each accelerating structure will operate at ~ 100 MV/m with the capability of delivering 10s Gy in a highly conformal manner. Part of the Ph.D. will also entail the practicality of steering multiple linacs to the treatment area -and hence investigate "freezing" patient motion. This will entail a collaboration with the University of Manchester, Daresbury Lab., Elekta and CERN. There will be RF, beam dynamics, vacuum science, and mechanical engineering aspects to this project. The practicalities of realising a VHEE radiotherapy machine within a realistic timeframe will be explored. The project has analytical, simulation, and experimental aspects to the research. The direction of the research will be decided according to the interest and aptitude of the student.