Medical Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
A high-energy medical accelerator generating megavoltage X-ray photon or electron beams for external beam radiation cancer therapy.
Governing formula
RF Cavity Electron Acceleration to 6–18 MeV → Bremsstrahlung X-Rays
SI unit
MV (Megavoltage Photon Beams 6–18 MV)
In depth
Accelerates electrons through microwave RF cavities to 6–18 MeV. Electrons strike a high-Z tungsten target to produce megavoltage Bremsstrahlung X-rays, shaped by multi-leaf collimators (MLC) to conform to tumor geometry.
Examples in the real world
LINAC multi-leaf collimators dynamically shaping radiation beams to treat lung tumors during rotation.