Development of NbTi CCT superconducting magnet technology for radiotherapy applications

最先进的粒子放射治疗设施受益于超导（SC）磁体技术，可以显着减小其尺寸。这在下一代离子治疗系统中尤其重要，该系统将向患者提供碳离子束，并将显著扩大为患者提供的治疗范围;通过使用超导磁体，利用工业上成熟的钛-钛电缆技术，将当前一代粒子源的尺寸从c.80 m减小到c25 m，提供约5 T的磁场。本计画的目标是在一个大口径（> 80 mm）的弯曲低温恒温器中，发展一种新型的斜余弦θ（CCT）组合功能（CF）偶极的科学与工程。本研究的第一个目的将应用于一个紧凑型同步加速器，该加速器采用了一种高度新颖的混合快速循环设计，以前没有提出过;快速循环紧凑型C6+同步加速器将通过在患者不同治疗深度提供高剂量率和快速精确的剂量输送变化来实现治疗的阶跃变化。合适的CF磁体的开发是该项目的关键推动因素，该项目将提供将在欧洲应用的下一代离子治疗系统，并已在英国被确定为未来所需的治疗设施。其他应用包括将类似技术用于最终剂量输送，以及用于X射线成像科学的粒子源中的其他应用。我们与CERN超导磁体设计组和STFC达雷斯伯里实验室/墨尔本大学的项目合作伙伴合作，我们将利用我们以前的CCT设计经验，（90度）偶极/四极磁体，在单个低温冷却的旋转低温恒温器中具有交变梯度聚焦;这在以前还没有完成。CERN的合作将提供他们丰富的绕线和组装类似磁体系统的工程知识，我们打算在博士期间制作候选磁体的原型。后来的选择包括使用替代导体材料，如NbSn和REBCO，以实现更大的孔径磁铁。有很大的空间，将该技术转化为英国工业。几家英国公司在MRI磁体系统等领域拥有现有的SC生产，我们将探索与合适的供应商建立合作伙伴关系，以期待稍后在英国建造离子处理设施。

Start-of-the-art particle radiotherapy facilities benefit from superconducting (SC) magnet technology to allow a significant reduction in their size. This is particularly important in the next generation of ion therapy systems that will deliver carbon-ion beams to patients and will significantly expand the range of treatments offered to patients; present-generation particle sources can be reduced from c.80m to c25m in size by using superconducting magnets utilizing industrially-proven niobium-titanium cable technology delivering fields around 5T. However, no suitable design of superconducting prototype magnet has yet been demonstrated.This project aims to develop the science and engineering of a novel canted-cosine-theta (CCT) combined-function (CF) dipole in a curved cryostat with large (>80mm) central aperture. The first aim of this study will be applied to a compact synchrotron utilizing a highly-novel hybrid rapid cycling design that has not been previously proposed; a rapid-cycling compact C6+ synchrotron would deliver a step change in therapy by delivering both high dose rates and rapid, precise variation of the dose delivery at different treatment depths in patients. The development of a suitable CF magnet is the key enabler for this project, which would deliver the next-generation of ion therapy system to be applied in Europe, and which has been identified in the UK as a future needed treatment facility. Other applications include use of similar technology for the final dose delivery, and for other applications in particle sources for x-ray imaging science.Working with our project partners in the CERN superconducting magnet design group and at STFC Daresbury Laboratory/University of Melbourne, we will use our previous experience of CCT design to develop a curved (90-degree) dipole/quadrupole magnet with alternating-gradient focusing in a single cryo-cooled rotating cryostat; this has not previously been done. CERN collaboration will provide their extensive engineering knowledge of winding and assembling similar magnet systems, and we intend to prototype a candidate magnet during the PhD duration. Later options include the use of alternative conductor materials such as NbSn and REBCO to achieve larger aperture magnets.There is significant scope to translate the technology into UK industry. Several UK companies have existing SC production in areas such as MRI magnet systems, and we will explore partnerships with suitable suppliers to look forward to later construction of a UK ion treatment facility.