LBL 184-Inch Synchrocyclotron Operational Improvements

This paper describes the 184-Inch Synchrocyclotron and some of the operational improvements incorporated into it in the last few years. The proton beam intensity has been increased a factor of 2 by relatively simple and inexpensive means. A new beam-stretching "cee" electrode has been installed; this increases the internal stretched beam by about a factor of 2. Radiation shielding has been added which simplifies the building and modifying of experimental caves as well as providing radiation protection. The radiation monitoring system has been improved. Handling gear has been developed which eases the difficulties encountered in handling the great variety of equipment involved in cyclotron operation. An internal-external quadrupole beam focusing system is now being developed that will increase the external beam by 30%. A new patient-positioning unit (ISAH) has been installed in the medical cave and is the subject of a separate paper at this conference.