Dosimetric performance evaluation regarding proton beam incident angles of a lithium-based AB-BNCT design.
The (7)Li(p,xn)(7)Be nuclear reaction, based on the low-energy protons, could produce soft neutrons for accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT). Based on the fact that the induced neutron field is relatively divergent, the relationship between the incident angle of proton beam and the neutron beam quality was evaluated in this study. To provide an intense epithermal neutron beam, a beam-shaping assembly (BSA) was designed. And a modified Snyder head phantom was used in the calculations for evaluating the dosimetric performance. From the calculated results, the intensity of epithermal neutrons increased with the increase in proton incident angle. Hence, either the irradiation time or the required proton current can be reduced. When the incident angle of 2.5-MeV proton beam is 120°, the required proton current is ∼13.3 mA for an irradiation time of half an hour.
Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Pei-Yi
PY
Lee
Nuclear Science and Technology Development Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan yhl.taiwan@gmail.com.
Yuan-Hao
YH
Liu
Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Shiang-Huei
SH
Jiang
D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006257:Head / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009502:Neutrons; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011522:Protons; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D011522:Protons; D008094:Lithium