title: Experimental validation of neutron activation simulation of a varian medical linear accelerator.
abstract: This work presents a Monte Carlo simulation using the last version of MCNP, v. 6.1.1, of a Varian CLinAc emitting a 15MeV photon beam. The main objective of the work is to estimate the photoneutron production and activated products inside the medical linear accelerator head. To that, the Varian LinAc head was modelled in detail using the manufacturer information, and the model was generated with a CAD software and exported as a mesh to be included in the particle transport simulation. The model includes the transport of photoneutrons generated by primary photons and the (n, γ) reactions which can result in activation products. The validation of this study was done using experimental measures. Activation products have been identified by in situ gamma spectroscopy placed at the jaws exit of the LinAc shortly after termination of a high energy photon beam irradiation. Comparison between experimental and simulation results shows good agreement.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morato
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Juste
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verdu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diez
mesh_terms: D003301:Copper Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009502:Neutrons; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D017785:Photons; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D014414:Tungsten