Feasibility study of compact accelerator-based neutron generator for multi-port BNCT system
Abstract
As Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) grows to become a good alternative for radio-resistant tumours, long preparation and irradiation time limit the number of treatments possible. To resolve this issue, this work aims to propose implementing a compact accelerator-based neutron generator which can provide multiple neutron beams of at least 109/s/cm2 for multi-port BNCT, while maintaining low gamma and fast-neutron contamination.
This study applies a 50 MeV proton beam at a realizable current of 500 μA from an AVF cyclotron with a W target to sustain a high neutron yield for multiple extractions. A beam shaping assembly (BSA) is also studied to moderate and shape the neutron beam for BNCT. A cylindrical BSA surrounding the W target is proposed to make multiple gates extraction plausible. The BSA consists of a moderator assembly (Fe, AlF3 and Teflon), Pb reflector, Li thermal neutron filter (TNF), and borated-polyethylene coupled with Pb which act as neutron and gamma shielding. The proposed design managed to deliver about 2 × 109 epithermal-neutron/cm2/s with satisfactory beam quality at 4 ports for multiple BNCT. Thus, the neutron generator for multi-port BNCT proposed in this study has been proven to be feasible.- Publication:
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Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A
- Pub Date:
- August 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.nima.2018.05.025
- Bibcode:
- 2018NIMPA.899...65K
- Keywords:
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- Multi-port BNCT;
- Beam shaping assembly (BSA);
- Neutron moderator;
- PHITS;
- AVF cyclotron