Physics in Medicine & Biology
Laser-driven particle accelerators for cancer therapy: a review of state-of-the-art techniques, challenges and opportunities
Abstract Charged particle radiation therapy (such as electron, proton and heavy ion therapies) is presently delivered via large linear or circular electromagnetic particle accelerators. There is growing interest in laser plasma accelerators as an alternative source for therapeutic charged particle radiation, including protons, carbon ions, and very high energy electrons. Laser plasma accelerators offer the potential for extremely high dose rates in a very compact physical footprint. While these radiation sources ad …