PhoNeS: A novel approach to BNCT with conventional radiotherapy accelerators

Bevilacqua, Riccardo; Giannini, G.; Calligaris, F.; Fontanarosa, Davide; Longo, F.; Scian, G.; Totaro, P.; Vittor, K.; Vallazza, E.; Severgnini, Mara; Vidimari, R.; Bartesaghi, G.; Conti, Valentina; Mascagna, V.; Perboni, C.; Prest, M.; Gambarini, G.; Valente, M.; Mozzanica, A.; Monti, A.F.; Ostinelli, A.; Azario, L.; Fidanzio, A.; Piermattei, Angelo; Borla, Oscar; Durisi, Elisabetta Alessandra; Fasolo, F.; Nastasi, U.; Perosino, E.; Zanini, A.; Tommasino, L.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2006.10.290

Cited by 19 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…An interesting alternative for neutron production is the use of photonuclear (γ, n) reaction. Starting from an electron LINAC, intense thermal neutron beams can be obtained by introducing a photonuclear converter and a moderating assembly [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The e_LiBANS facility: A new compact thermal neutron source based on a medical electron LINAC

Monti

Costa

Durisi

et al. 2020

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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A new photonuclear thermal neutron facility has been developed at the Physics Department of University of Torino. The facility is based on a medical electron LINAC coupled to a compact converter and moderator assembly. A homogenous thermal neutron field of the order of 10 6 cm −2 s −1 is achievable in the enclosed irradiation cavity with low gamma and fast neutron contaminations. Its intensity can be tuned varying the LINAC current. These characteristics make the source appropriate for several applications like detectors development, material studies and BNCT preclinical research. This work describes the project and the experimental characterization of the facility. This includes the measurement of the thermal neutron fluence rate, the determination of the neutron energy spectrum and of the thermal neutron field uniformity and the evaluation of the gamma contamination.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The e_LiBANS facility: A new compact thermal neutron source based on a medical electron LINAC

Monti

Costa

Durisi

et al. 2020

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…Thermal and epithermal neutron fields can be produced by introducing a photonuclear converter and a moderating assembly. Previous INFN projects have investigated the feasibility of this source for thermal neutrons (Bevilacqua et al, 2007). Thanks to the installation in 2016 of a medical-LINAC at the Physics Department of University of Torino, two sources, one for thermal neutrons and one for epithermal neutrons, have been developed and are now available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The E LiBANS project: Thermal and epithermal neutron sources based on a medical Linac

Monti

Costa

Durisi

et al. 2020

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

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“…In search for new sources, researchers have proposed using cyclotron accelerators, indirect production of neutrons and radioactive sources neutron emitters, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages ( 4 – 9 ). Though, in developing countries, radiotherapy departments are often equipped with electron linear accelerators and some work is conducted to utilize this accelerator to produce epithermal neutrons ( 10 – 15 ). The benefits of electron linear accelerators are their low cost, small dimensions, high safety, and high social acceptability that make them a good choice to be utilized in hospitals ( 16 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of the photoneutron target geometry for e-accelerator based BNCT

Chegeni¹,

Pur²,

Razmjoo³

et al. 2017

Electron Physician

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Background and aimToday, electron accelerators are taken into consideration as photoneutron sources. Therefore, for maximum production of epithermal neutron flux, designing a photoneutron target is of significant importance. In this paper, the effect of thickness and geometric shape of a photoneutron target on neutron output were investigated.MethodsIn this study, a pencil photon source with 13, 15, 18, 20 and 25 MeV energies and a diameter of 2 mm was investigated using Monte Carlo simulation method using MCNP code. To optimize the design of the photoneutron target, the tungsten target with various geometries and thicknesses was investigated.ResultsThe maximum neutron flux produced for all target geometries and thicknesses occurred at neutron energy peak of around 0.46 MeV. As the thickness increased to 2 cm, neutron flux increased and then a decreasing trend was observed. For various geometrical shapes, the determining factor in photoneutron output was the effective target thickness in the photon interaction path that increased by the increase in the area of interaction. Another factor was the angle of the photon’s incidence with the target surface that resulted in a significant decrease in photoneutron output in cone-shaped targetsConclusionThree factors including the total neutron flux, neutrons energy spectrum, and convergence of neutrons plays an important role in the selection of geometry and shape of the target that should be investigated considering beam shaping assembly (BSA) shape.

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PhoNeS: A novel approach to BNCT with conventional radiotherapy accelerators

Cited by 19 publications

References 4 publications

The e_LiBANS facility: A new compact thermal neutron source based on a medical electron LINAC

The e_LiBANS facility: A new compact thermal neutron source based on a medical electron LINAC

The E LiBANS project: Thermal and epithermal neutron sources based on a medical Linac

Optimization of the photoneutron target geometry for e-accelerator based BNCT

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