Therapfutic and Research Applications of a 40 MeV Electron Linear Accelerator

As an example of an accelerator currently in use for therapy and research, the CGR Sagittaire 40 MeV electron linac and its computerized treatment verification system will be described. The parameters of the photon and electron beams produced by this accelerator and used for radiotherapy will be discussed and illustrated. In particular, the useage of a scanning electron beam will be described. A thin window at the end of the acceleration region allows extraction of the electron beam for research purposes. The beam current is monitored by an induction coil located in atmosphereimmediately outside the exit window. Research applications of the electron beam will be discussed.