Speaker
Description
Laser-driven ion acceleration has gained significant attention as a next-generation acceleration technology, offering key advantages such as compactness, high accelerating electric fields, and short pulse durations. In this study, we aim to realize a novel accelerator system called the Quantum Scalpel, which combines a laser-driven heavy ion injector with a superconducting synchrotron accelerator. The Quantum Scalpel is expected to contribute to the broader deployment of heavy ion cancer therapy by enabling compact treatment systems that can be installed within existing hospital infrastructures.
This presentation reports on the development of a laser-driven ion injector capable of 10 Hz high-repetition operation using carbon ions, a representative heavy ion species. Ion acceleration was achieved by irradiating thin foil targets with a high-intensity femtosecond laser, utilizing the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. To support continuous high-repetition operation, we implemented automated target delivery, debris shielding, and optimization of laser temporal contrast. These improvements collectively enabled stable and sustained generation of heavy ion bunches suitable for injection into downstream accelerator stages.
