The principle of medical linear accelerator equipment involves the interaction between high-energy electrons possessing a specific energy level and the microwave electric field of a high-power microwave source. The energised electrons are directly extracted for use in electron beam therapy. When electrons strike heavy metal targets, bremsstrahlung radiation is generated, emitting X-rays for X-ray therapy.



A basic electron linear accelerator comprises at minimum: an acceleration chamber (acceleration tube), a microwave power source with waveguide system, a control system, and radiation homogenisation and shielding systems.



The microwave power source, as a vital component of medical linear accelerators, functions like an energy-rich ‘powerhouse’, generating high-frequency microwaves to propel electrons. These microwaves act as the ‘fuel’ empowering the electrons, being channelled into the acceleration cavity to provide a continuous, uninterrupted supply of energy. The significance of the microwave power source is self-evident, as its performance directly determines the accelerator's capabilities and the efficacy of the treatment.



Compared to conventional radiotherapy, the electron beam delivered by a linear accelerator offers higher energy levels and more precise targeting. This enables more effective destruction of tumour cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.



It is precisely this precision and safety that has elevated the linear accelerator to an increasingly vital role in cancer treatment. With ongoing technological advancements and accumulating medical knowledge, we have every reason to believe that medical electron linear accelerators will play an even greater role in future cancer therapies, bringing renewed hope to more patients.