title: Prompt gamma and neutron detection in BNCT utilizing a CdTe detector.
abstract: In this work, a novel sensor technology based on CdTe detectors was tested for prompt gamma and neutron detection using boronated targets in (epi)thermal neutron beam at FiR1 research reactor in Espoo, Finland. Dedicated neutron filter structures were omitted to enable simultaneous measurement of both gamma and neutron radiation at low reactor power (2.5 kW). Spectra were collected and analyzed in four different setups in order to study the feasibility of the detector to measure 478 keV prompt gamma photons released from the neutron capture reaction of boron-10. The detector proved to have the required sensitivity to detect and separate the signals from both boron neutron and cadmium neutron capture reactions, which makes it a promising candidate for monitoring the spatial and temporal development of in vivo boron distribution in boron neutron capture therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; HUS Medical Imaging Center, Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Finland, POB 340, FI-00029 HUS, Finland. Electronic address: alexander.winkler@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.affiliation: HUS Medical Imaging Center, Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Finland, POB 340, FI-00029 HUS, Finland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koivunoro
authors.affiliation: HUS Medical Imaging Center, Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Finland, POB 340, FI-00029 HUS, Finland.
authors.forename: Vappu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reijonen
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, POB 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland.
authors.forename: Iiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Auterinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; HUS Medical Imaging Center, Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Finland, POB 340, FI-00029 HUS, Finland.
authors.forename: Sauli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savolainen
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002138:Calibration; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009502:Neutrons; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride
keywords: BNCT; CdTe; Neutron detection; Neutron dosimetry; Prompt gamma; Radiotherapy; Spectrometry