Primer on Theory and Operation of Linear Accelerators, 2nd Ed.
Author: C.J. Karzmark & Robert MortonISBN: 9780944838662 ISBN10: 0944838669
Published: 1998 | 50 pp | Softcover
OUT OF PRINT
Journal of Medical Physics, AMPI (India) | 2019;44:298-9
Medical Physics Publishing has brought another good book entitled “A Primer on Theory and Operation of Linear Accelerators in Radiation Therapy” written by C. J. Karzmark and Robert J. Morton, which was edited by James Lamb. Since the application of mega voltage radiation for therapeutic treatments came in vogue, the medical linear accelerators have placed a vital role and this book has enlisted a simple theoretical operational aspects. This book has fifteen sections as detailed below.
1. Introduction
2. Energy designation in accelerators
3. An elementary linear accelerator
4. A comparison of linac with diagnostic X-ray generators
5. Major linac modules and components
6. Microwave power sources
a. Microwave cavities
b. The klystron
c. The magnetron.
7. The wave guide and circulator
8. Accelerator structures
a. Traveling-wave accelerator structures
b. Standing-wave accelerator structures
9. Multiple X-ray energy mode accelerators
a. Traveling-wave accelerator structures
b. Standing-wave accelerator structures
10. Bending magnet
11. Treatment head
12. Image-guided radiotherapy
13. Physiologic beam gating
14. Functional block diagram and auxiliary systems
15. Operational review
The introduction sections starts with the brief description of linac with illustration of schematic diagram, principles, and functional and application aspects in treatment of deep seated tumors. The energy designation and description of an elementary linac operating with battery to alternating voltage applications is systematically narrated with appropriate figures in sections two and three. Basic comparison of medical linac with diagnostic X-ray generators is nicely explained in section four. The major medical linac models and their major components with schematic diagram were elaborated in section five. The functional aspects of microwave power source with principle and operation of klystron and magnetron was described in a systematic manner in section six. Conveyance of generated microwave power from klystron (or magnetron) through a circular wave guide is narrated in section seven. In sections eight and nine, the typical methodology of accelerating structures (standing and travelling wave) with their functionality aspects and mode of multiple X-ray energy mode acceleration is excellently described with elaborative figures. The role of bending magnet in bringing the electrons to a focal position is described in section ten. Brief description of components of treatment head for photon and electron mode followed by the description and importance of multi-leaf collimator in facilitating the modern therapy techniques such as three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy was well discussed in chapter 11. The role of image guidance and common techniques that are following in modern radiotherapy applications followed by motion management is simply narrated in chapters 12 and 13. Typical narration of auxiliary system which is essential for operation of linac is discussed with a block diagram in chapter 14. Chapter 15, the operational review, mentions the essential sequential steps from starting the treatment plan to till execution with linac and is well narrated.
Overall, the book has brought out the theoretical aspects of operation of a linac with elaborative schematic diagrams and figures which help in understanding them easily. I strongly recommend having this book to all students, teachers, clinical medical physicists, and research students.
Challapalli Srinivas
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology
Kasturba Medical College Hospital
Mangalore, Karnataka, India