Status report of the LNS Superconducting Cyclotron

The LNS Superconducting Cyclotron has been working in stand alone mode since the beginning of 2000, after 5 years of operation as a booster of the 15 MV Tandem. The new mode has proven to be by far more advantageous than the previous one from the point of view of operation. Working with axial injection, a quite high number of new beam types has been developed. The new mode allows for acceleration of H2 + molecules, which break into two protons when crossing a stripper in the beam line out of the cyclotron. 62 MeV protons have been used for radiotherapy since February 2002. The new mode allows to inject a more intense beam as compared to the previous mode. Therefore, an upgrading program of the cyclotron has started, aiming at having an intense extracted beam to be used as a primary beam in a facility for production of radioactive beams. Beam tests have been accomplished to evaluate transmission figures, while the upgrading of the present electrostatic deflectors has started: new deflector systems, able to dissipate high beam power and allowing for easier maintenance, have been designed and will soon be tested in the machine.