Evaluation of D（d,n）^3 He reaction neutron source models for BNCT irradiation system design

A mathematical method was developed to calculatc the yield.energy spectrum and angular distribution of neutrons from D(d,n)3 He(D-D)reaction in a thick deuterium-titanium target for incident deuterons in energies lower than 1.0MeV.The data of energy spectrum and angular distribution wefe applied to set up the neutron source model for the beam-shaping-assembly(BSA)design of Boron-Neutron-Capture-Therapy(BNCT)using MCNP-4C code.Three cases of D-D neutron source corresponding to incident deuteron energy of 1000.400 and 150 kaV were investigated.The neutron beam characteristics were compared with the model of a 2.45 MeV mono-energetic and isotropic neutron source using an example BSA designed for BNCT irradiation.The results show significant differences in the neutron beam characteristics,particularly the fast neutron component and fast neutron dose in air,between the non-isotropic neutron source model and the 2.5 MeV mono-energetic and isotropic neutron source model.     

AB-BNCT中子靶物理设计分析

质子加速器适用于为硼中子俘获治疗提供中子源,其中子源强及能谱较反应堆中子源更具可调性。中子靶物理计算分析是加速器中子源设计的基础,为其提供粒子能量、流强等参数需求分析,并为靶体结构尺寸设计、中子慢化和屏蔽分析等提供前端参数。本文利用MCNPX蒙特卡罗程序,通过对质子打靶的中子产额和能谱、靶体能量沉积、打靶后靶材放射性活度和中子出射空间角分布等进行研究,提出能量2.5 MeV质子轰击100～200 μm锂靶的设计,并用模拟计算数据论证其合理性。该设计中子源在1 mA流强质子轰击下,源强可达9.74×10¹¹ s^-1;拟设计15 mA、2.5 MeV质子束产生的中子源,在治疗过程中靶材放射性活度累积最大值约为1.44×10¹³ Bq。     

基于加速器的硼中子俘获治疗装置束流整形体的设计及其临床参数研究

在硼中子俘获治疗（BNCT）中,束流整形体是BNCT装置产生高品质中子束的关键部件之一,其设计至关重要。本文基于25 MeV质子打锂靶产生中子的过程,对加速器驱动的BNCT中子源的束流整形体进行了可行性方案设计,研究了慢化体厚度差异对出口束流品质、头部模型中的剂量分布和临床参数等方面的影响。研究表明,可行性方案设计在30 mA质子束流驱动下,可达到IAEA对束流品质的要求;在本文3种慢化体厚度设计下,随着慢化体厚度的增加,出口超热中子束流强度减小,快中子份额减小,进一步导致优势深度变浅,正常组织最大剂量率减小,治疗时间变长。     

用于硼中子俘获疗法治疗束的光子谱仪设计

实验确认治疗束的谱源项参数是硼中子俘获治疗（BNCT）物理剂量学研究的重要环节之一,全面细致地掌握相关信息,对精准制定临床治疗计划进而准确评估患者的给予剂量十分重要。为验证理论计算源项光子能谱的可靠性,设计适用于BNCT治疗束特点（宽能量范围、高强度n/γ混合束）的新型光子谱仪。通过蒙特卡罗模拟方法优化探测器内的中子注量率、光子计数率及次级光子占比（次级光子计数率/初级光子计数率）三个重要参数,在降低辐射强度以避免探测器的辐射损伤和死时间过大的同时,尽可能抑制中子诱导次级光子的产生,将次级光子占比降至5.45,以实现BNCT治疗束光子谱的快速准确测量。同时,开展谱仪对不同能量光子响应的校准方法研究,以便得到准确的响应函数,为光子谱的解谱工作奠定基础。     

T(d,n)4He强流中子发生器的中子能谱和角分布模拟计算

采用将厚靶分割成薄靶的方法对厚氚钛靶、260keV氘束流能量条件下T(d,n)⁴He反应中子源的能谱和角分布进行计算。以分割法计算得到的能谱和角分布数据为基础,建立了D-T中子源Monte-Carlo模拟抽样模型,在考虑中子发生器各元件材料及实验大厅墙壁对快中子的慢化、散射和吸收的条件下,采用MCNP程序对兰州大学3×10¹²s^-1强流中子发生器260keV氘束流能量下的中子能谱和角分布进行了模拟,给出了模拟结果。为检验模拟结果的可靠性,与实验测量能谱进行了比较,Monte-Carlo模拟谱和实验测量谱基本符合。     

Influences of Neutron Source Spectrum and Thermal Neutron Scattering Law Data on the MCNPX Simulation of a Cyclotron-Based Neutron Field for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

In our previous study, the simulation of a cyclotron-based neutron field for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using a (p,n) spallation source with the MCNPX code was validated through measurements of the neutron energy spectrum behind the moderator assembly and the thermal neutron distribution in an acrylic phantom using reaction rates of ¹⁹⁸Au. These validations showed that the simulation generally well reproduced the measurements. However, some discrepancies between the measurements and the calculation remained for clinical trials. In this paper, we investigated the influences of neutron source spectrum and thermal neutron scattering law data in the simulation to resolve those discrepancies. We also compared measured and calculated neutron doses behind the moderator assembly with results obtained using a tissue equivalent proportional counter. We clarified that the neutron source spectrum calculated using the LA150 data led to the overestimation of high-energy neutrons in a phantom, but this overestimation did not significantly affect the neutron dose distribution in a phantom, because a dominant part of the absorbed dose is due to neutrons of energies below 1MeV. The study of the influence of neutron scattering law data in a phantom also indicated that the use of selected S(α,β) data led to an improvement in the simulation of thermal neutron behavior.     

MCNP计算含肿瘤Snyder修正头部模型的硼中子俘获治疗剂量

为得出硼中子俘获治疗(BNCT)中不同能量中子在含肿瘤Snyder修正头部模型内的深度-剂量曲线,籍以进一步理解BNCT原理,优化BNCT治疗中子源的能谱分布,本文利用MCNP模拟计算0.025 3 eV、1 eV、1 keV、10 keV、100 keV、1 MeV和混合能量的超热中子源在含肿瘤Snyder修正头部模型内的硼剂量、热中子剂量、超热和快中子剂量以及次级光子剂量组分的深度-剂量分布,并在此基础上得到总的相对生物学剂量的深度-剂量分布,以判断不同能量组中子源在BNCT中的优劣。结果表明,热中子头皮浅表处硼剂量高于肿瘤区硼剂量;快中子源硼剂量小,但其剂量组分中超热和快中子剂量过大;超热中子具有一定的穿透性,在脑深部肿瘤区形成了较高的硼剂量和总的相对生物学剂量。说明超热中子具有良好的BNCT治疗效果,热中子和快中子不适宜用于脑部BNCT治疗。     

强流D-T中子发生器n-γ辐射场的MC模拟研究

根据D-T中子源260 keV氘束流能量下的中子能谱和角分布数据,建立了D-T中子源模型,在中子发生器各元件材料及实验大厅墙壁对快中子的慢化、散射和吸收的条件下,采用MCNP模拟程序对强流中子发生器n-γ辐射场进行了模拟研究,得到了中子能谱、中子和γ角分布、n-γ比等重要参数.模拟结果与有关文献实验数据的基本吻合,验证了所建立的MCNP模拟模型的可靠合理.     

强流加速器D-Be中子源中子慢化引出研究

为优化成像中子束注量率和能谱,在考虑中子源能谱、角分布、面源结构及靶系统条件下,利用MCNP程序模拟源中子的慢化和输运过程,记录不同模型时慢化体内热中子注量率分布和成像中子束成分。结果表明,聚乙烯更适合用作小型热中子源慢化反射材料;D+束轰击靶面的束斑大小影响热中子在慢化体内的分布,束斑半径在1cm内变化对中子慢化影响较小;增加热中子引出孔道与D+束轴线的夹角能有效提高引出热中子束的纯度。     

Preliminary design study of a simple neutron energy spectrometer using a CsI self-activation method for daily QA of accelerator-based BNCT

ABSTRACT

For recent boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), accelerator-based neutron sources have been actively developed in place of reactor-based neutron sources. In this study, a novel neutron energy spectrometer for the daily quality assurance (QA) of BNCT was designed on the basis of a CsI self-activation method for accelerator-based neutron sources. The spectrometer design was optimized in terms of its energy resolution. To verify its applicability to high-intensity BNCT neutron fields, some practical simulations were performed. It was shown that the designed spectrometer was able to evaluate a neutron energy spectrum in approximately 900 s after an instantaneous neutron irradiation. In addition, its energy resolution was sufficient for detecting an unexpected distortion in the spectrum. The results confirm that the designed spectrometer can be employed for the daily QA of BNCT to check that the expected spectrum remains unchanged.     

Effect of Fusion Neutron Source Numerical Models on Neutron Wall Loading in a D—D Tokamak Device

Effect of various spatial and energy distributions of fusion neutron source on the calculation of neutron wall loading of Tokamak D-D fusion device has been investigated by means of the 3-D Monte Carlo code MCNP.A realistic Monte Carlo source model was developed based on the accurate representation of the spatial distribution and energy spectrum of fusion neutrons to solve the complicated problem of tokamak fusion neutron source modelling.The results show that those simplified source models will introduce significant uncertainties.For accurate estimation of the key nuclear responses of the tokamak design and analyses,the use of the realistic source is recommended.In addition,the accumulation of tritium produced during D-D plasma operation should be carefully considered.     

Evaluation of neutron beam characteristics for D-BNCT01 facility

An accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy （AB-BNCT） experimental facility called D-BNCT01 has been recently completed and is currently able to generate a high-intensity neutron beam for BNCT-related research.In this study,we perform several experiments involving water phantoms to validate the Monte Carlo simulation results and analyze the neutron beam characteristics.According to our measurements,D-BNCT01 can generate a neutron flux about 1.2×10⁸n/cm²/s at the beam...     

Extension of Spallation-Based BNCT Concept to Medium- to High-Energy Accelerators

Following our systematic studies on a cyclotron-based neutron source for Boron Neuron Capture Therapy (BNCT), we expanded our investigation to include medium- to high-energy accelerators with a proton energy range of 30 to 600MeV using a spallation reaction and appropriate moderating materials. The results showed that a spallation-based neutron source for BNCT can be realized without any significant engineering difficulties by applying a commercially available high-current cyclotron and the linear accelerator at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). A proton therapy accelerator cannot be directly applied for BNCT due to the low beam current. However, the use of a proton therapy accelerator will be especially effective because the proton therapy for localized cancers is complemented with BNCT, which is ideal for treating nonlocalized and radio-resistant cancers.     

70MeV质子加速器产生的白光中子源强度和能谱的计算

用７０ＭｅＶ质子束轰击厚靶可产生白光中子源。选用金属钨作厚靶材料，应用适用于几十ＭｅＶ能区的核反应模型程序计算了中子能谱和角分布。结果表明：７０ｍｅＶ质子束在钨厚靶中终止前有４．６％的质子发生了反应，２００μＡ的７０ＭｅＶ质子束流产生的中子总强度为１．０１×１０１４Ｓ－１，中子平均能量为４．２ＭｅＶ，１０ＭｅＶ以上的中子强度为１．１５×１０１３Ｓ－１，高能中子主要在朝前的小角度区发射。     

基于150 MeV电子束的光中子特性模拟分析

高能中子源是研究高能太空宇宙射线中子对人体和电子仪器辐射损伤的必备装置,基于高能电子加速器的光中子源是目前能够提供较高能量白光中子的方式之一。本工作以清华大学先进加速器实验室的激光电子加速器束流参数为基础,借助Geant4对产生的光中子的能量特性、产额特性、角分布特性、时间特性进行了分析。模拟结果表明,Φ2 cm×2 cm的圆柱体Ta靶时,150 MeV电子束流可产生最高能量约为110 MeV、中子产额约为1.2×10~5n/10~7e-、出射时间在0~100 ns之间呈负指数分布的几乎各向同性的光中子。根据拟合的中子能量-出射时间离散指数函数,估算得到对产生的1~100MeV中子,在飞行距离为5m时中子飞行时间的时间分辨率好于2.23%。本工作为该加速器的光中子产生和实验测量工作提供了参考依据。     

厚靶T(d,n)4He反应加速器中子源的中子产额、能谱和角分布

本文给出一种氚钛厚靶氘氚反应加速器中子源的中子产额、能谱和角分布的计算方法,并开发了相应的计算模拟程序。用自行开发的计算程序计算了入射氘束流能量低于1.0MeV时加速器中子源的中子产额、能谱和角分布,给出了氚钛厚靶的一些典型计算结果,并对结果的可靠性进行分析。     

Radiation Field for Fission Neutron Enhanced Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Employing Fast Neutron Source Reactor “YAYOI”

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of a localized tumor needs a sufficient thermal neutron flux at the tumor. A surgical operation including ennucleation of the main part of tumor is required for the case of thermal neutron beam from a thermal reactor because of the rapid decrease of the neutron flux in the tissue. Intermediate neutrons with little fast neutron component are only produced by a specifically designed reactor which awaits to be build.

In the present paper, a positive use of fast neutron beams in addition to BNCT is proposed for treatment of some kind of localized tumors employing a fission fast neutrons from a fast neutron source reactor “YAYOI” of University of Tokyo which is licenced as such. Dose distributions in a water phantom located at a proposed position for two collimator cases were measured and its availability was confirmed as a possible port for therapy.     

A function to provide neutron spectrum produced from the 9Be + p reaction with protons of energy below 12 MeV

A function to give the total neutron production cross section, angular distribution, and energy spectrum via the ⁹Be + p reaction has been created by fitting experimental data to characterize compact neutron sources with thick Be targets bombarded by protons with energy below 12 MeV. To examine the suitability of the function, calculations of the angle-dependent neutron energy spectra produced in thick Be targets with 4- and 12-MeV protons using the function were compared with corresponding experiments and calculations using the nuclear data libraries of ENDF/B-VII.0 and JENDL4.0/HE. The function was in better agreement with the experiments than the calculations using the libraries except for at backward angles. The ¹¹⁵In(n,n’)^115mIn reaction rates calculated using GEANT4 with source neutrons given by both the function and ENDF/B-VII.0 were compared with that measured at the RIKEN Accelerator-Driven Compact Neutron Source to evaluate the neutron spectrum above 1 MeV. The function slightly overestimated the measurement by 14% and the calculation with ENDF/B-VII.0 underestimated by 35%. It was concluded that the function can be applied in compact neutron source designs.     

用于CSNS反角白光中子源的双屏栅电离室设计及性能研究

为测量中国散裂中子源（China Spallation Neutron Source, CSNS）反角白光中子源150 keV以下能区飞行时间法中子能谱,研制基于¹⁰B(n, α)⁷Li和⁶Li(n, t)α核反应的双屏栅电离室,采用薄窗和薄底衬的结构设计。通过Garfield++、SRIM和Simcenter Magnet Electric程序对屏栅电离室的工作气体、极间距和电场分布等工作参数进行模拟设计,并采用α源及CF₄、P10、90%Ar-10%CO₂三种气体对电离室进行性能参数测试。结果表明,选定电子漂移速度快、扩散系数小,以及阻止本领大的CF4作为CSNS/Back-n束上测试工作气体,阴极-栅极和栅极-阳极间距分别为20 mm和5 mm。屏栅电离室收集区74 mm范围内是电场均匀区,场强的相对偏差≤0.03%;性能测试结果表明,工作气体为CF₄时,电离室对²³⁹Pu/²⁴¹Am/²⁴⁴Cm混合α面源具有很好的能量分辨,最佳能量分辨率为2.4%@5.48 MeV。对比平板型电离室和硅微条探测器的测量结果,验证了本工作研制的屏栅型电离室的能量分辨优势。     

国产Am-Be中子源能量低于1.5MeV中子所占份额的实验测定

本工作提出了测定Am Be中子源发射的能量低于1.5MeV中子所占份额的1种实用实验方法。用4.438MeVγ射线伴随的飞行时间法测量了中子源的局部中子谱（n₁群中子）。通过已准确测量的中子源发射4.438MeVγ射线与中子强度的比值(R=R_γ/S_n)和n₁群中子谱与测量的能量为1.5MeV以上中子总谱在3.2MeV能量处归一后的面积比值,求得国产Am-Be中子源能量低于1.5MeV中子的所占份额为(19.1±1.9)%。