The 4 MeV Linear Accelerator for X-ray Therapy

Abstract

It is well known that above about 500 kV, the acceleration of electrons by steady d. c. voltages becomes extremely difficult, and the generation of electron beams or X-rays at higher energies has depended largely on the use of multiple acceleration techniques. Of these the Betatron provides the best known example and this has been used very successfully in Germany and elsewhere as a therapeutic instrument. Voltages as high as 20–30 MeV are now readily obtainable.