Design of an epi-thermal neutron flux intensity monitor with GaN wafer for boron neutron capture therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising cancer therapy. Epi-thermal neutron (0.5 eV < E_n < 10 keV) flux intensity is one of the basic characteristics for modern BNCT. In this work, based on the ⁷¹Ga(n,γ)⁷²Ga reaction, a new simple monitor with gallium nitride (GaN) wafer as activation material was designed by Monte Carlo simulations to precisely measure the absolute integral flux intensity of epi-thermal neutrons especially for practical BNCT. In the monitor, a GaN wafer was positioned in the center of a polyethylene sphere as neutron moderator covered with cadmium (Cd) layer as thermal neutron absorber outside. The simulation results and related analysis indicated that the epi-thermal neutron flux intensity could be precisely measured by the presently designed monitor.     

Direct measurements of neutron capture on radioactive isotopes

We simulated the response of a 4π calorimetric γ-detector array to decays of radioactive isotopes on the s-process path. The GEANT 3.21 simulation package was used. The main table contains estimates on the maximum sample size and required neutron flux based on the latest available neutron capture cross-section at 30 keV. The results are intended to be used to estimate the feasibility of neutron capture measurements with 4π arrays using the time-of-flight technique.     

Intra-pellet neutron flux distribution measurements in LWR critical lattices

We have developed inexpensive and easy-handling measurement methods on intra-pellet neutron flux. A foil activation method with metallic foils, which were fabricated by punching out technique and etching technique to reduce fabrication error and positioning error, was used for the intra-pellet neutron flux distribution measurement. The developed method was applied to measure intra-pellet neutron flux distributions in a reduced–moderation light water reactor (LWR) lattices, and uncertainty of the distributions was estimated to be 1% to 2%. Measured values were analyzed with a continuous energy Monte Carlo code. Comparison of measurements and analyses revealed that the developed method is useful for the validation of an advanced fuel design method considering neutron behavior in fuel pellets.     

CR-39 detector based thermal neutron flux measurements, in the photo neutron project

PhoNeS (photo neutron source) is a project aimed at the production and moderation of neutrons by exploiting high energy linear accelerators, currently used in radiotherapy. A feasibility study has been carried out with the scope in mind to use the high energy photon beams from these accelerators for the production of neutrons suitable for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Within these investigations, it was necessary to carry out preliminary measurements of the thermal neutron component of neutron spectra, produced by the photo-conversion of X-ray radiotherapy beams supplied by three LinAcs: 15 MV, 18 MV and 23 MV. To this end, a simple passive thermal neutron detector has been used which consists of a CR-39 track detector facing a new type of boron-loaded radiator. Once calibrated, this passive detector has been used for the measurement of both the thermal neutron component and the cadmium ratio of different neutron spectra. In addition, bubble detectors with a response highly sensitive to thermal neutrons have also been used. Both thermal neutron detectors are simple to use, very compact and totally insensitive to low-ionizing radiation such as electrons and X-rays. The resultant thermal neutron flux was above 10⁶ n/cm²s and the cadmium ratio was no greater than 15 for the first attempt of photo-conversion of X-ray radiotherapy beams.     

Study of neutron production and moderation for sulfur neutron capture therapy

Neutron capture therapy with Sulfur-33, similar to boron neutron capture therapy with Boron-10, is effective in treating some types of tumors including ocular melanoma. The key point in sulfur neutron capture therapy is whether the neutron beam flux and the resonance capture cross section of ~(33)S(n;α)~(30) Si reaction at 13.5 keV can achieve the requirements of radiotherapy. In this research,the authors investigated the production of 13.5 keV neutron production and moderation based on an accelerator neutron source. A lithium glass detector was used to measure the neutron flux produced via near threshold~7 Li(p,n)~7 Be reaction using the time-of-flight method. Furthermore, the moderation effects of different kinds of materials were investigated using Monte Carlo simulation.     

Accelerator-based source of epithermal neutrons for neutron capture therapy

Computational studies are performed for choosing an optimal material and dimensions of a moderator for forming a beam of epithermal neutrons for boron-neutron-capture therapy based on a proton accelerator and the reaction 7 Li(p, n)7 Be as the neutron source. It is shown that the best material for this is magnesium fluoride. An optimal configuration is proposed for a combined moderator consisting of magnesium fluoride and teflon. The computational results are compared with the experimental data.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 97, No. 3, pp. 195–200, September, 2004.     

基于D-D中子源的硼中子俘获治疗慢化体设计

为了探讨利用D-D中子源评估硼中子俘获治疗(Boron Neutron Capture Therapy,BNCT)中子通量探测器性能的可能性,本文利用蒙特卡罗模拟程序MCNP5(Monte Carlo N Particle Transport Code, version 5)设计了基于D-D中子源的BNCT慢化体,并最终给出了一种"5 cm聚乙烯(Polyethylene,PE)+24 cm氟化钛(TiF3)+22 cm氟化镁(MgF2)"的组合作为慢化层、20 cm的镍(Ni)作为反射层以及0.03 cm的镉(Cd)作为热中子吸收层的慢化体设计方案。模拟计算结果表明:D-D中子源经设计的慢化体慢化后形成的中子场可以用于BNCT中子通量探测器性能的实验测试。     

含硼卟啉在硼中子捕获治疗中的研究进展

硼中子捕获治疗(boron neutron capture therapy,BNCT)是利用10B(n,α)7Li反应产生的高能α粒子和反冲7Li原子进行治疗的高传能线密度辐射治疗方式,含硼化合物是硼中子捕获治疗的重要方面,其中含硼卟啉是上世纪90年代起广受关注的含硼化合物.介绍了硼中子捕获治疗及含硼卟啉的特点,阐述了...     

Characteristics comparison between a cyclotron-based neutron source and KUR-HWNIF for boron neutron capture therapy

At Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI), 275 clinical trials of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) have been performed as of March 2006, and the effectiveness of BNCT has been revealed. In order to further develop BNCT, it is desirable to supply accelerator-based epithermal-neutron sources that can be installed near the hospital. We proposed the method of filtering and moderating fast neutrons, which are emitted from the reaction between a beryllium target and 30-MeV protons accelerated by a cyclotron accelerator, using an optimum moderator system composed of iron, lead, aluminum and calcium fluoride. At present, an epithermal-neutron source is under construction from June 2008. This system consists of a cyclotron accelerator, beam transport system, neutron-yielding target, filter, moderator and irradiation bed.In this article, an overview of this system and the properties of the treatment neutron beam optimized by the MCNPX Monte Carlo neutron transport code are presented. The distribution of biological effect weighted dose in a head phantom compared with that of Kyoto University Research Reactor (KUR) is shown. It is confirmed that for the accelerator, the biological effect weighted dose for a deeply situated tumor in the phantom is 18% larger than that for KUR, when the limit dose of the normal brain is 10 Gy-eq. The therapeutic time of the cyclotron-based neutron sources are nearly one-quarter of that of KUR. The cyclotron-based epithermal-neutron source is a promising alternative to reactor-based neutron sources for treatments by BNCT.     

一台测量快中子辐射俘获截面的大液体闪烁探测器

为了测量快中子辐射俘获截面,我们研制了一台测量γ射线的球形液体闪烁探测器,其直径为1m,容积680l。该探测器属4π几何类型,探测器效率达80％以上。为了降低本底,除了用10cm厚的铅和40cm厚的石蜡建成屏蔽室外,还采用符合方法,使本底计数小于100cps。探测器已经在2.5MeV脉冲质子静电加速器上测量了金、钽和铥等元素的辐射俘获截面。     

基于氘氚中子源硼中子俘获治疗的中子慢化整形研究

硼中子俘获治疗（Boron Neutron Capture Therapy,BNCT）是一种具有广阔前景的癌症治疗方法。氘氚中子源是未来可供选择的BNCT中子源之一,由于氘氚中子源产生的中子能量为14.1 MeV,不能直接用于BNCT,需要进行束流慢化整形。使用蒙特卡罗模拟程序MCNP5设计了相应的束流整形组件（Beam Shaping Assembly,BSA）,模拟验证了用半径为14 cm的天然铀球做中子倍增层的优越性,计算结果表明：采用50 cm厚的BiF3和10 cm厚的TiF3组合慢化层,17 cm厚的AlF3补充慢化层,0.2 mm厚的Cd热中子吸收层,3.5 cm厚的Pb作为γ屏蔽层,以及10 cm厚的Pb反射层,获得了较为理想的治疗中子束,输出中子束的空气端参数满足国际原子能机构（International Atomic Energy Agency,IAEA）的建议值。     

Neutron beam design for both medical neutron capture therapy and industrial neutron radiography for TRIGA reactor

Neutron beam designs were studied for TRIGA reactor with a view to generating thermal, epithermal and fast neutron beams for both medical neutron capture therapy (NCT) and industrial neutron radiography (NR). The beams are delivered from thermal and thermalizing columns, and also horizontal beam hole. Several prospective neutron filters (high-density graphite (G), bismuth (Bi), single-crystal silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), aluminum fluoride (AlF₃) and lead fluoride (PbF₂)) were examined for obtaining sufficiently intense neutron beam for various applications. Monte Carlo calculations indicated that with a suitable neutron filter arrangement, thermal and epithermal neutron beams attaining 2×10⁹ and 7×10⁸ n cm⁻²S⁻¹, respectively, could be obtainable from thermal and thermalizing columns with the reactor operating at 100 kW. These neutron beams could be adopted for boron neutron capture therapy. Compared with these columns, horizontal beam port would deliver neutron fluxes of 10⁻² 10⁻³ lower intensity, but produced thermal and neutron beams would be adequate for different application of nondestructive inspection by neutron radiography.     

Quantitative estimations in neutron capture radiography

Theoretical models are proposed for the calculation of the local concentrations, in a specimen, of nuclides such as ⁶Li, ¹⁰B, ¹⁴N or ¹⁷O, from the corresponding local densities of tracks on the detectors. Several different cases have been studied: i) one or several types of particle involved, ii) initial energy of the particles below, or above the “upper threshold of detection”, iii) possible nonnegligible abrasion of the detectors during etching and iv) contribution of background tracks originating from the detectors themselves. The theoretical equations have been applied to the interpretation of experimental data.     

Formation of beams for neutron capture therapy using A tangential reactor channel

Institute of General Nuclear Physics, Russian Scientific Center of the Kurachatov Institute. Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 74, No. 5, pp. 394–400, May, 1993.     

The neutron flux in a spherical void

Using the basic theory developed in our earlier work (Cassell, J.S., Williams, M.M.R., 2005. Particle flux in an annular gap about a sphere, Annals of Nuclear Energy 32, 457, we have evaluated the neutron flux across a spherical void due to a point source in a moderating and absorbing medium. Neutron motion in the moderator is described by diffusion theory and that in the void by the free streaming Boltzmann transport equation. An explicit solution is obtained in the form of an infinite series. This is evaluated numerically for a number of practical cases and comparison is made with an exact transport calculation using a Monte Carlo code. The hybrid method is seen to be highly accurate.