Unique Features of the Texas A & M Variable Energy Cyclotron

This paper describes some of the design, engineering, construction and procurement details of the Texas A & M University Variable Energy Cyclotron (TAMVEC). All major engineering has been completed, and system components are presently under construction at various vendor plants throughout the country. Assembly and installation of the machine will begin in the latter part of June 1966. It is anticipated that construction and check out of the machine will require only 9 months. The TAMVEC machine is funded by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Engineering, procurement, and construction of the machine is being performed by the Bechtel Corporation. TAMVEC is a variable-energy cyclotron basically similar in physics and arrangement to the 88-inch variable energy, spiral-ridge cyclotron(1) installed at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory (LRL) in Berkeley, California. However, as a result of LRL, Texas A & M University, and Bechtel staff experience and recommendations, the TAMVEC machine has several improved design features incorporated in it. These are discussed in the following paragraphs.