From April 22nd to 26th, Hefei CAS Ion Medical and Technical Devices Co., Ltd. (HFCIM) conducted proton beam testing for the domesticated graphite energy degrader core component in Switzerland. The results of the beam testing were excellent, with all key indicators matching theoretical calculations and design values. This achievement met the expected targets, indicating that HFCIM has acquired the capability for independent research and development of the core components of beam line, specifically the energy degrader.

Fig.1 Testing Site

Due to the fixed energy of the beam extracted from the cyclotron main unit and the continuous adjustable beam energy requirement at the treatment end, an energy degrader component must be used to adjust and select the beam energy. The performance of this component directly determines the quality of the treatment and influences the precision and efficiency of proton medical equipment. The successful development of the first energy degrader component in the Hefei Superconducting Proton Cyclotron Accelerator project will further promote the domestication of proton therapy technology, contributing to its expansion into broader international markets.

Fig.2:Prague peak distribution and CCD detection of the 150MeV proton beam in the energy degrader

The beam testing of the energy degrader component simulated the actual operating environment, verifying the correctness of the physical design and the effectiveness of the engineering design. As the first component of the Hefei Superconducting Proton Cyclotron project to pass the beam testing, the graphite energy degrader core system has achieved comprehensive domestic integration (component design, processing and manufacturing, installation and debugging, testing and operation). This milestone will further promote the domestication process of proton therapy technology.