Colloquia

Summary

Cancer is a leading global health challenge, with rising incidence rates projected to continue in the coming decades. Traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, have limitations that have driven the development of more advanced and precise methods. Among these is particle therapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses charged particles like protons and ions to target and destroy cancer cells more accurately than conventional X-rays, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

The focus of my master's thesis is on the design and development of a magnet system for the Helium Light Ion Compact Synchrotron (HeLICS), a key component of a proposed helium ion therapy facility under the Next Ion Medical Machine Study (NIMMS) at CERN. Helium ion therapy offers several advantages over traditional proton therapy, including a sharper Bragg peak, reduced lateral scattering, and higher Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), which can enhance cancer cell destruction while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

The HeLICS facility aims to provide a compact and cost-effective solution for helium ion therapy, potentially making this advanced treatment modality more accessible. The facility's design includes a synchrotron that accelerates helium ions to a maximum energy of 220 MeV/u, allowing for precise targeting of deep-seated tumors with minimal collateral damage.

The magnet system I designed is crucial to the operation of HeLICS. It includes dipole, quadrupole, and sextupole magnets that guide and focus the ion beams within the synchrotron. The dipole magnets are responsible for bending the particle beam along the synchrotron's circular path, while the quadrupole and sextupole magnets focus the beam and correct for energy variations among the particles, ensuring a stable and precise trajectory.

My work involved using advanced simulation tools, such as Ansys Maxwell, to optimize the design of these magnets, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements for field quality, efficiency, and cooling. The final design features a carefully engineered coil and yoke system that operates efficiently at peak energies, with precise control over the magnetic fields.

This project contributes to the broader effort at CERN to develop next-generation particle therapy facilities, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of cancer and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.