Beam-profile control using an octupole magnet

For medical irradiation, beams with a uniform distribution have been required. We have proposed a method to control the beam profile using an octupole magnet. We have installed an octupole magnet and confirmed its effectiveness at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) beam-transport line. A beam efficiency of 91% can be realized with a flatness of ±4% over the range of ±15 mm. The beam offset at the position of the octupole magnet is required to be within ±0.2 mm to realize this condition. This method is expected to have a beam efficiency higher than that of the ordinary method using wobbler magnets and a scatterer system. (author)