Development of an x-ray irradiation port for biomedical applications at the CUEBIT facility

Because of the importance of x-ray interactions in modern medicine, efforts must be made to combine the fields of biology and physics. This paper reviews the development of an x-ray irradiation port that allows us to study the interaction of x-rays generated by highly charged ions with biological material, such as stem and cancer cells. Our goal is to better understand these interactions in order to improve the techniques of x-ray therapy by narrowing and specifically selecting the range of radiation energies applied. Using the Clemson University Electron Beam Ion Trap (CUEBIT), the generation of quasi-monochromatic x- rays from highly charged ions is possible. In order to maintain the integrity of the cells being studied, the cell culture needs to be oriented horizontally during the irradiation process. This poses a problem, as the highly charged ion beam generated at the CUEBIT is also oriented horizontally. Therefore, we have designed a system that employs a quadrupole bender that directs the ion beam vertically, which allows for the production of x-rays directly under the cell culture. The experimental station consists of a vacuum chamber that attaches to the end of the beam line. This chamber houses the quadrupole bender, a beryllium window for generating x-rays, and the interface between the beryllium window and the cell culture. X-rays must transmit through the bottom of a flask before they interact with the cells. Hence, we implement a procedure to replace the bottom of the flask with a thin layer of Mylar, allowing x-rays to penetrate through easily. We will use this system to study the effects of monochromatic x- rays on stem cells, cancer cells, and their associated proteins.