BC-145 - Large Faraday Cup Collector for Scanned Beam Particle Therapy QA

The BC-145 is a high-performing, large-area Faraday cup beam collector designed to directly measure high-energy beam current. Its large sensitive aperture and impressive diameter of 145mm allow it to capture very wide area beams. Operating within a broad energy range from 30 to 250MeV, this Faraday Cup exhibits minimal dependence on beam energy, which enables it to deliver consistent readings across varying beam conditions. Its design is based on a reliable concept by Bernard Gottschalk, previously utilized at the prestigious Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory.

Unlike other Faraday cups, the BC-145 does not require a vacuum system or high voltage bias for its operation, enhancing its user-friendly nature. It promises absolute accuracy better than 2-3% before calibration, ensuring precise measurements are made. This robust device can tolerate high beam power handling up to 1kW average for up to 2 minutes, and up to 2kW average for up to 1 minute, each followed by a 5-minute thermal cool-down period. This makes it a highly resilient instrument suitable for demanding applications such as proton therapy system commissioning, accelerator development, and flash therapy research.

With the BC-145, compatibility is assured, as it works well with IC101, I2, F460, and other readout electronics. The construction of the sensor employs a pure OFHC copper cylinder 100mm long and 145mm in diameter, further coated with a dielectric and an electrostatic screen.

Features

• Provides direct measurement of high energy proton beam current
• Supports a wide proton energy range from 30 to 250MeV
• Delivers typical absolute accuracy better than 2-3% before calibration
• Demonstrates low dependence on beam energy, ensuring consistent readings
• Features a large sensitive aperture for capturing a significant amount of charged particles
• Conveniently operates in air, eliminating the need for a vacuum system or HV bias
• Boasts a large diameter of 145 mm for better particle capture
• Offers compatibility with a variety of readout electronics including IC101, I2, and F460
• Incorporates a proven concept from Bernard Gottschalk, originally developed and utilized at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory

Applications

• Ideal for ensuring quality in proton therapy pencil beam applications
• Suitable for use in accelerator development projects
• Efficient for commissioning proton therapy systems
• Provides a reliable tool for FLASH therapy research, including work with scattered and scanned beams