New laser-hybrid accelerator design strengthens vision for next-generation radiotherapy research facility

The report outlines a proposed UK-based Ion Therapy Research Facility (ITRF), setting out a vision for a centre capable of transforming studies of proton and ion beam therapy.

The facility would be dedicated to investigating the next generation of cancer radiotherapy by enabling cutting-edge research into proton and ion beam therapy.

Radiotherapy plays a role in over half of cancer treatments, and is needed in 40% of cancer cures, yet conventional X-ray techniques can expose surrounding healthy tissue to unwanted doses of radiation.

Ion beam therapy, which uses protons or heavier particles such as carbon ions, can target tumours much more precisely. It is already used for some paediatric cancers and may offer further benefits for complex or hard-to-treat tumours.

However, despite growing global interest, the biological effects of different ions, dose rates and delivery patterns remain poorly understood.

The new ITRF design aims to address this by creating a dedicated platform for high-quality radiobiology.

A new approach to studying particle-beam effects

At the heart of the proposal is LhARA (the Laser-hybrid Accelerator for Radiobiological Applications), a UK-led collaboration of twelve UK universities, three NHS trusts, two UK national laboratories, and eleven international institutes that includes the UK’s Cockcroft Institute. The collaboration brings together scientists, engineers, clinicians, and patient advocates from across the UK’s four nations. The work was funded via the Science and Technology Facilities Council through £2.6M from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.

Rather than relying on traditional accelerator technology, LhARA uses a powerful laser to produce bursts of protons and ions, which can then be shaped and delivered to biological samples in ways that aren’t currently possible.

This laser-hybrid approach is intended to offer far greater flexibility, including the delivery of different ion types and the exploitation of advanced delivery patterns such as ultra-high dose rate FLASH radiotherapy.

Partnering with Imperial College – who devised the original LhARA concept – and a number of other UK universities, STFC researchers have contributed to the design of ITRF. STFC’s work included contribution to the accelerator system design, project management, engineering design and costing, magnet design and manufacture, vacuum system design, and control systems design.

Building the foundations of a national research facility

The publication of the Conceptual Design Report brings the project a step closer to realisation.

The report outlines how the proposed Ion Therapy Research Facility would use LhARA as its accelerator platform, enabling systematic, long-term studies in how different ions and delivery patterns affect biological tissues.

The report also records the significant progress already made across the collaboration, including early hardware development and proof-of-principle experiments carried out at partner facilities, notably the PoPLAR proof-of-principle beamline at the University of Strathclyde, which has been used to successfully demonstrate the beam parameters for ITRF Phase 1, and to carry out the first cell irradiations using an ASTeC-constructed beamline.

The collaboration’s progress over the last 3 years shows that the laser-hybrid approach is feasible and capable of meeting the demands of future radiobiology research.

Together, the collaboration’s progress and plans set the foundations for a future national facility that could support world‑leading radiobiology and accelerate the development of next‑generation particle‑beam therapy.

The Conceptual Design Report is available from STFC’s library as STFC Technical Report STFC-TR-2026-007, https://doi.org/10.5286/stfctr.2026007

Comments from the collaboration

Researchers from across the collaboration welcomed the publication of the report.

Professor Kenneth Long, Co-spokesperson for the LhARA collaboration, said “The completion of the CDR for LhARA to serve the ITRF is a substantial achievement and a milestone for the collaboration. The laser-hybrid concept builds on the success of UK-led research into the laser acceleration of particles. The results presented in the CDR demonstrate the transformative potential of laser-driven ion acceleration in the delivery of the radiotherapy treatments of the future.’

Dr Massimo Noro (UKRI‑STFC Daresbury Laboratory), Project Sponsor for ITRF, said “This Conceptual Design Report represents the culmination of several years’ work enabled by the UKRI Infrastructure Fund, which has for the first time brought together medical and technology researchers to develop a radiobiology facility. ITRF aspires to be the leading facility to develop the techniques needed to improve cancer treatments in the UK and around the world.”

Hywel Owen (UKRI‑STFC Daresbury Laboratory), Principal Investigator for ITRF, added “It has been exciting to work over the last three years with such a diverse team of scientists and engineers to bring together a conceptual design for this facility. “A number of significant technical steps forward have been made, including the important experimental demonstration at our PoPLAR experiment of the parameters needed for the full project.”