Linear induction accelerators utilize ferrite-loaded, non-resonant magnetic induction cavities. Each cavity can be thought of as two large washer-shaped disks connected by an outer cylindrical tube. Between the disks is a ferrite toroid. A voltage pulse applied between the two disks causes an increasing magnetic field which inductively couples power into the charged particle beam.[1]
The linear induction accelerator was invented by Christofilos in the 1960s.[2] Linear induction accelerators are capable of accelerating very high beam currents (>1000 A) in a single short pulse. They have been used to generate X-rays for flash radiography (e.g. DARHT at LANL), and have been considered as particle injectors for magnetic confinement fusion and as drivers for free electron lasers. A compact version of a linear induction accelerator, the dielectric wall accelerator, has been proposed as a proton accelerator for medical proton therapy.