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Abstract

Project Mentor(s): Mehran Zaini, PhD; Peter Zencak

Rising cancer cases spurred advancements in radiation therapy modalities, including electron accelerators. In this report, descriptive and diagnostic analysis was utilized to develop and characterize a functional, low energy cold cathode table-top electron accelerator for radiation physics experimentation in Central Washington University’s (CWU) undergraduate radiation lab. The device features a tungsten cathode (TC), brass anode, and copper Faraday Cup (FC) in a vacuum, enclosed by blue-tinted polyvinyl chloride (PVC). TC electron emission was facilitated by applied electric fields from input voltages of 1000 V to 5000 V. FC collected electron current in the range of 0 µA to 100 µA. Baseline measurements exhibited a Fowler-Nordheim relationship for low input voltages, transitioning to linear step correlations for higher input voltages. This behavior was thoroughly investigated using a quantum mechanical approach in MATLAB. With the introduction of an aluminum attenuator, an exponential decrease in beam current with respect to attenuator thickness was observed; moreover, input voltage of 4500 V produced oscillatory current output, ranging from 0 µA to 24 µA with a 6 second period. Oscillation is thought to be caused by space-charge effects that are attempted to be eliminated via grounding of the attenuator. This optimization and characterization of an electron accelerator demonstrated the potential for radiation physics experimentation at CWU. Future research should aim to enhance beam quality, visualize beam dynamics, and further investigate quantum mechanical properties.

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163

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