title: Liquid Li based neutron source for BNCT and science application.
abstract: Liquid lithium (Li) is a candidate material for a target of intense neutron source, heat transfer medium in space engines and charges stripper. For a medical application of BNCT, epithermal neutrons with least energetic neutrons and γ-ray are required so as to avoid unnecessary doses to a patient. This is enabled by lithium target irradiated by protons at 2.5 MeV range, with utilizing the threshold reaction of (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be at 1.88 MeV. In the system, protons at 2.5 MeV penetrate into Li layer by 0.25 mm with dissipating heat load near the surface. To handle it, thin film flow of high velocity is important for stable operation. For the proton accelerator, electrostatic type of the Schnkel or the tandem is planned to be employed. Neutrons generated at 0.6 MeV are gently moderated to epithermal energy while suppressing accompanying γ-ray minimum by the dedicated moderator assembly.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: horiike@nucl.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Horiike
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: I
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: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshihashi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoashi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamada-oka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.affiliation: New Business Development Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mechatronics Systems, Ltd., 4-1, Wadamiya-dori 5-chome, Hyogo-ku, Kobe 652-0863, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuri
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Business Development, Industrial Minerals Project Dept. No.1, Sumitomo Corporation, 1-8-11 Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8610, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oshiro
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium
keywords: Accelerator based neutron source; BNCT; Liquid lithium target; Moderator assembly