Ku-band electron linac for battery-powered hand-portable 2-MeV X-ray generator

Kutsaev, S. V.; Agustsson, R.; Berry, R.; Ivanov, E.; Kaneta, K.; Kravchenko, M.; Pronikov, A.; Ruelas, M.; Smirnov, A. Yu; Uvalle, S.

doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.113318

Ku-band electron linac for battery-powered hand-portable 2-MeV X-ray generator

Journal Article · Wed Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Radiation Physics and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.113318· OSTI ID:3015633

^[1]; Agustsson, R. ^[1]; Berry, R. ^[1]; Ivanov, E. ^[1]; Kaneta, K. ^[1]; Kravchenko, M. ^[1]; Pronikov, A. ^[1]; Ruelas, M. ^[1]; Smirnov, A. Yu ^[1]; Uvalle, S. ^[1]

RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC, Santa Monica, CA (United States)

X-ray generators, producing radiation in MeV range, are a critical tool for radiography, non-destructive testing and security applications. Field operation of such source requires them to be hand-portable, autonomous and allow parameter adjustability. RF linear accelerators can serve as a flexible, reliable, and robust radiation generator alternative to dangerous radioisotopes and bulky betatrons that are currently used for field radiography if their size, weight, cost, and imaging performance are matched to these sources. Here, in this paper, we present the design and test results of a 2 MeV Ku-band electron linac for a hand-portable X-ray generator system for field radiography being developed by RadiaBeam. The dramatic scale of miniaturization and cost-reduction is achieved thanks to the implementation of innovative technologies such as air-cooled Ku-band air-traffic control magnetrons, a split accelerating structure fabrication technique, and solid-state Marx modulators. This paper presents the design of the first prototype of the accelerator, its operation from Li-Ion batteries, as well as high-power and beam measurements.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC, Santa Monica, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Office of SBIR/STTR Programs (SBIR/STTR)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0022801

OSTI ID:: 3015633

Journal Information:: Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Journal Name: Radiation Physics and Chemistry Vol. 239; ISSN 0969-806X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
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Ku-band electron linac for battery-powered hand-portable 2-MeV X-ray generator

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