Laser ion acceleration for hadron therapy

Bulanov, S. V.; Wilkens, J. J.*; Esirkepov, T. Z.; Korn, G.*; Kraft, G.*; Kraft, S. D.*; Molls, M.*; Khoroshkov, V. S.*

Physics-Uspekhi, 57(12), p.1149 - 1179, 2014/00

https://doi.org/10.3367/UFNe.0184.201412a.1265

The paper examines the prospects of using laser plasma as a source of high-energy ions for the purposes of hadron beam therapy - possibility which is expected not only on theoretical grounds but also on experimental grounds (ions are routinely observed to be accelerated in the interaction of high-power laser radiation with matter). Compared to therapy accelerators like cyclotrons, laser technology is advantageous in that it is more compact and is simpler in delivering ions from the accelerator to the treatment room. Special target designs allow the radiation therapy requirements on ion beam quality to be satisfied.