A personal computer-based monitoring and control system for electron accelerators

A virtual instrument (VI) has been designed to provide monitor and control function for a selectable-energy, electron accelerator at the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC). The virtual instrument is written using the National Instruments LabVIEW[1] graphical programming language for operation on an IBM- compatible, Windows-based, personal computer. All data acquisition is accomplished using National Instruments data acquisition hardware interface (NI-DAQ). The VI monitors various electronically isolated accelerator parameters: electron source gun filament voltage, magnetron current, beam current, vacuum pressure, radiation exposure, and accelerator cavity assembly temperature. The radiation exposure, vacuum pressure, and cavity assembly temperature readings are used to control safety interlocks with user adjustable trip points. The VI provides manual controls for magnetron high voltage, electron source gun filament voltage, and RF tune, and can also deflect the electron beam across an off axis faraday cup to obtain beam energy profile information. This monitor and control system has been designed to enable customization with other electron accelerators so as to enhance operational predictability and repeatability.