title: Neutron intensity monitor with activation foil for p-Li neutron source for BNCT--Feasibility test of the concept.
abstract: Proton-lithium (p-Li) reaction is being examined worldwide as a candidate nuclear production reaction for accelerator based neutron source (ABNS) for BNCT. In this reaction, the emitted neutron energy is not so high, below 1 MeV, and especially in backward angles the energy is as low as about 100 keV. The intensity measurement was thus known to be difficult so far. In the present study, a simple method was investigated to monitor the absolute neutron intensity of the p-Li neutron source by employing the foil activation method based on isomer production reactions in order to cover around several hundreds keV. As a result of numerical examination, it was found that (107)Ag, (115)In and (189)Os would be feasible. Their features found out are summarized as follows: (107)Ag: The most convenient foil, since the half life is short. (115)In: The accuracy is the best at 0°, though it cannot be used for backward angles. And (189)Os: Suitable nuclide which can be used in backward angles, though the gamma-ray energy is a little too low. These would be used for p-Li source monitoring depending on measuring purposes in real BNCT scenes.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: murata@see.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Fuminobu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium
keywords: BNCT; Foil activation method; Isomer production reaction; Source intensity; p-Li reaction