An ultra-low cost miniature X-band linac to replace radionuclide gamma sources

One of the objectives of the DNDO is to dramatically reduce the amount of radioactive material in use in order to improve public security and prevent the diversion of radioactive material for Radiation Dispersion Devices (so-called "dirty bombs"). RadiaBeam Technologies proposes the development of an inexpensive, handportable accelerator to replace radionuclide radiography devices. The accelerator, which we term the MicroLinac, is based on X-band RF linac technology developed at SLAC, and is powered by a commercially available inexpensive RF source. The entire system would weigh less than 25 lbs and could be sold in the future for less than $30k. Such a device will offer a competitive, commercially viable and, most importantly, much safer radiation source for industrial and medical radiography and well logging applications, thus simultaneously promoting technological advancement and public safety.