Development of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences electron cyclotron resonance ion source for the heavy ion medical accelerator in Chiba

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Abstract
The development of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source for the heavy ion medical accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) injector is reported. The HIMAC is a heavy ion medical accelerator for cancer therapy. The electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is expected to provide a long lifetime, easy operation, and easy maintenance for medical use. The NIRS‐ECR ion source has a single closed ECR stage, and a microwave frequency of 10 GHz is applied. Under the present performance, the output electrical currents of the ions are 2500 eμA for He1+, 300 eμA for C2+, 480 eμA for Ne3+, and 110 eμA for Ar6+. Stability of the intensity is better than 2%. The transmission efficiency through a low‐energy beam‐transport line with an acceptance of 200 πmm mrad is more than 70%; the typical 50% and 90% emittances of the injection beam with 8 keV/u are 20 and 80 πmm mrad, respectively. These performances satisfy the requirements for radiotherapy.