Combined TL and 10B-alanine ESR dosimetry for BNCT.
The dosimetric technique described in this paper is based on electron spin resonance (ESR) detectors using an alanine-boric compound acid enriched with (10)B, and beryllium oxide thermoluminescent (TL) detectors; with this combined dosimetry, it is possible to discriminate the doses due to thermal neutrons and gamma radiation in a mixed field. Irradiations were carried out inside the thermal column of a TRIGA MARK II water-pool-type research nuclear reactor, also used for Boron Neutron Capture therapy (BNCT) applications, with thermal neutron fluence from 10(9) to 10(14) nth cm(-2). The ESR dosemeters using the alanine-boron compound indicated ESR signals about 30-fold stronger than those using only alanine. Moreover, a negligible correction for the gamma contribution, measured with TL detectors, almost insensitive to thermal neutrons, was necessary. Therefore, a simultaneous analysis of our TL and ESR detectors allows discrimination between thermal neutron and gamma doses, as required in BNCT.
Bartolotta
A
A
Dipartimento Farmacochimico Tossicologico e Biologico, Università di Palermo and INFN (Sezione di Catania), Via Archirafi 32-90123 Palermo, Italy.
D'Oca
M C
MC
Lo Giudice
B
B
Brai
M
M
Borio
R
R
Forini
N
N
Salvadori
P
P
Manera
S
S
D001822:Body Burden; D001895:Boron / Q000528:radiation effects; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes / Q000528:radiation effects; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018511:Systems Integration; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D007554:Isotopes; D001895:Boron