Toward integrated, laser-driven, ion accelerator systems for hadron therapy at PMRC

光医療研究連携センターにおけるハドロンセラピーのためのレーザー駆動粒子線加速器の融合に向けて

Bolton, P. R.; 堀 利彦; 榊 泰直; Sutherland, K.*; 鈴木 将之; Wu, J.*

Bolton, P. R.; Hori, Toshihiko; Sakaki, Hironao; Sutherland, K.*; Suzuki, Masayuki; Wu, J.*

The science case for cancer treatment with hadron beams continues to be made as hadron treatment facilities are being developed around the globe with state-of-the-art accelerator technology. The promise of compact generation of energetic protons and ions from laser-plasma interactions, has made laser-driven hadron radiotherapy a subject of strong interest. Experimental proton yields suggest that scaled laser requirements for generating 200 MeV protons call for repetition-rated PW class systems. Proton bunches with high peak current and ultralow emittance are typical of ultrafast laser-foil interactions. However, these bunches also exhibit large divergence and energy spread. Our challenge at PMRC is not only to use high power lasers to accelerate ions to energies appropriate for hadron therapy but, as importantly, to develop integrated, laser-driven, ion accelerator systems (ILDIAS) that demonstrate desired beam characteristics for such therapy. We will introduce PMRC and discuss some key issues associated with laser-driven ion accelerator development.