Application of superconductivity technology to heavy-ion accelerator for cancer therapy

Abstract

Japan has a good track record in heavy-ion radiotherapy, which is a powerful method for cancer treatment. To expand this excellent therapeutic technique onto the world stage, the development of a further reduced size, high-efficiency and low-cost accelerator producing heavy ion beams with energies of up to 400 MeV/n is essential. This report introduces our attempt of "high-temperature superconducting cyclotron development" while outlining the present status and outlook of heavy-ion radiotherapy equipment.