Design, construction and low power RF tests of the first module of the ACLIP linac

ACLIP is a 3 GHz proton SCL linac designed as a booster for a 30 MeV commercial cyclotron. The final energy is 62 MeV well suitable for the therapy of ocular tumors or for further acceleration (up to 230 MeV) by a second linac in order to treat deep-seated tumours. The possibility of using magnetrons as the source of RF power, to reduce the overall cost of the machine, is under investigation with our collaborators e2v (Chelmsford, UK). ACLIP is a 5 modules structure coupled together. The first one (able to accelerate proton from 30 to 35 MeV) has been machined and completely brazed. We plan to have the high power test by early Autumn 2008. In this paper we will review the main features of the linac and discuss the results of the RF measurements carried out on this prototype.