Ultra-portable X-ray Source using Novel RF Technology

There is a need for compact, portable systems that can non-destructively X-ray objects with unknown contents for security or contraband without disturbing the contents. In addition, such systems are needed to X-ray infrastructure such as bridges for internal faults that are not obvious from ordinary visual inspection. These systems are typically in the few MeV x- ray energy range. A recent breakthrough in RF linac cell design and topologies has led to extremely efficient structures in terms of RF to beam efficiency. This topology results in a significant reduction in parts count and manufacturing cost. In our existing six MeV linac design the beam buncher that captures the electron beam coming from the gun is approximately 2.5 MeV. This combined with a bremsstrahlung target will provide up to 2.5 MeV X-rays. In addition, we will use a custom design klystron and battery backed modulator to power the linac. We plan to use commercial X-ray detectors to image the X-rays. We will start with our existing beam buncher and tweak its design to optimize for its use as the electron linac in the X-ray source and confirm the needed beam performance. We will design the RF source needed to drive the accelerator (i.e. the matched klystron and associated battery-based high-voltage modulator). We will identify which commercial imaging system has the best match for our needs and use it to layout the overall system. During this design Phase we will make every effort to reduce weight and size of the overall system. Our accelerator and RF component technology offer cost and size reductions for accelerator-based x-ray sources that are used for imaging, medical, security and industrial applications. Because of their efficiency and compactness, they can offer an attractive alternative for betatron-based mobile imaging systems. Our proposed 2.5 MeV X-ray system will have commercial application for inspections of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges. Also, there is interest from various federal government agencies for systems that can be used for non-intrusive inspection for security needs and for detecting contraband. The public benefit if we are successful are obvious; all the uses listed here have the potential to save lives by detecting problems, both natural and man-created, before these problems become unmanageable.