Polymer gels with and without 60 ppm of 10B were exposed to an epithermal neutron beam produced by the Dynamitron at the University of Birmingham on two separate occasions. Eight vials containing the gel, four with and four without boron, were irradiated in pairs in a water phantom for 5 h. The maximum dose was calculated to be 9 Gy in A-150 tissue equivalent plastic, 4 cm deep in the phantom. Measurements were made of the variation of relaxation rates of the gels with depth in a phantom. These were compared with calculations using the MCNP Monte Carlo program and the gel response followed the general trend of the results of the calculations. The calculations showed that the absence of boron gave 66.1% and 44.3% of the absorbed dose with boron and the measurements showed the response of the gel without boron to give 65+/-2% and 41+/-6% of the response with boron for the two halves of the first vial. All the gel measurements showed an enhancement in absorbed dose when boron was added. These results indicate that polymer gels may have a role in measuring the enhancement of absorbed dose due to boron in an epithermal or thermal neutron.

The absorbed dose in a phantom or patient in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and boron neutron capture enhanced fast neutron therapy (BNCEFNT) is deposited by gamma rays, neutrons of a range of energies and the 10B reaction products. These dose components are commonly measured with paired (TE/Mg) ion chambers and foil activation technique. In the present work, we have investigated the use of paired tissue equivalent (TE) and TE+ l0B proportional counters as an alternate and complementary dosimetry technique for use in these neutron beams. We first describe various aspects of counter operation, uncertainties in dose measurement, and interpretation of the data. We then present measurements made in the following radiation fields: An epithermal beam at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, a d(48.5) + Be fast neutron therapy beam at Harper Hospital in Detroit, and a 252Cf radiation field. In the epithermal beam, our measured gamma and neutron dose rates compare very well with the values calculated using Monte Carlo methods. The measured 10B dose rates show a systematic difference of approximately 35% when compared to the calculations. The measured neutron+gamma dose rates in the fast neutron beam are in good agreement with those measured using a calibrated A-150 TEP (tissue equivalent plastic) ion chamber. The measured 10B dose rates compare very well with those measured using other methods. In the 252Cf radiation field, the measured dose rates for all three components agree well with other Monte Carlo calculations and measurements. Based on these results, we conclude that the paired low-pressure proportional counters can be used to establish an independent technique of dose measurement in these radiation fields.

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the performance of the Birmingham accelerator-based epithermal BNCT beam. In-phantom gold foil activation and boron trifluoride tube measurements have been used. The results have been compared with calculated response rates using Monte Carlo modeling of the entire neutron system from source to phantom and detector. The excellent agreement obtained gives us confidence in the validity of the simulations and our ability to predict accurately the neutronic performance of our BNCT facility.