Accelerator Health Physics

Question 1

What is an interlock device and where should it be installed

Answer 1

Interlocks are emergency devices whose purpose is personnel protection. They automatically shut off or reduce the radiation emission rate from an accelerator to acceptable levels when an entry portal (e.g. a door) is opened to an elevated radiation area. Personnel entrances into any high-radiation area or exclusion area shall be provided with a structure with shielding equivalent to that required of the surrounding walls or a physical barrier at the entrance to a radiation protective labyrinth. These personnel-access structures shall be equipped with interlocks that terminate the accelerator emission if broken.

Question 2

Average Beam Current

Answer 2

Average Beam current = Duty cycle*peak current