The feasibility of accelerator-based in vivo neutron activation analysis of nitrogen.
The feasibility of accelerator-based in vivo neutron activation analysis of nitrogen has been investigated. It was found that a moderated neutron flux from approximately 10 microA of 2.5 MeV protons on a 9Be target performed as well as, and possibly slightly better than the existing isotope-based approach in terms of net counts per unit subject dose. Such a system may be an attractive alternative to the widespread use of (238,239)Pu/Be or 252Cf neutron sources, since there is more flexibility in the energy spectrum generated by accelerator-based neutron sources. From a radiation safety standpoint, accelerators have the advantage in that they only produce radiation when in operation. Furthermore, an accelerator beam can be pulsed, to reduce background detected in the prompt-gamma measurement, and such a device has a wide range of additional biological and medical applications.
O'Meara
J M
JM
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA. jomeara@mit.edu
Blackburn
B W
BW
Chichester
D L
DL
Gierga
D P
DP
Yanch
J C
JC
D001823:Body Composition; D006801:Humans; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D009584:Nitrogen