Estimation of laser parameters for a carbon ion injector in a next-generation compact heavy ion cancer therapy system

The necessary laser parameters for a laser-driven carbon ion injector, designed for the next-generation compact heavy ion cancer therapy system known as the “Quantum Scalpel,” have been estimated through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations to assess the feasibility of a demonstration machine. Assuming a conventional target normal sheath acceleration scheme, it has been demonstrated that a laser system operating at 800 nm, delivering 4 J per pulse at an intensity of 1020W/cm2 and a 10 Hz repetition rate, is sufficient to generate 108C6+ ions per shot with an energy of 4 MeV/u, using a pure carbon target with 800 nm thickness. These ions satisfy the requirements for the injector of the Quantum Scalpel system, which is currently under construction at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology.