Beam optics studies for a novel gantry for hadron therapy

Abstract The design of smaller and less costly gantries for carbon ion particle therapy represents a major challenge to the diffusion of this treatment. Here we present the work done on the linear beam optics of possible gantry layouts, differing for geometry, momentum acceptance, and magnet technology, which share the use of combined function superconducting magnets with a bending field of 4 T. We performed parallel– to–point and point–to–point optics matching at different magnification factors to provide two different beam sizes at the isocenter. Moreover, we considered the orbit distortion generated by magnet errors and we introduced beam position monitors and correctors. The study, together with considerations on the criteria for comparison, is the basis for the design of a novel and compact gantry for hadrontherapy.