title: A feasibility study of the Tehran research reactor as a neutron source for BNCT.
abstract: Investigation on the use of the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) as a neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has been performed by calculating and measuring energy spectrum and the spatial distribution of neutrons in all external irradiation facilities, including six beam tubes, thermal column, and the medical room. Activation methods with multiple foils and a copper wire have been used for the mentioned measurements. The results show that (1) the small diameter and long length beam tubes cannot provide sufficient neutron flux for BNCT; (2) in order to use the medical room, the TRR core should be placed in the open pool position, in this situation the distance between the core and patient position is about 400 cm, so neutron flux cannot be sufficient for BNCT; and (3) the best facility which can be adapted for BNCT application is the thermal column, if all graphite blocks can be removed. The epithermal and fast neutron flux at the beginning of this empty column are 4.12×10(9) and 1.21×10(9) n/cm(2)/s, respectively, which can provide an appropriate neutron beam for BNCT by designing and constructing a proper Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) structure.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: ykasesaz@aeoi.org.ir.
authors.forename: Yaser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasesaz
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Application, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arsalan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ezati
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keyvani
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ashkan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hossnirokh
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehrdad Azizi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shamami
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monshizadeh
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
keywords: BNCT; Foil activation method; MCNP4C code; Neutron spectrum measurement; SAND-II code; Tehran research reactor