The Fermilab Neutron Radiotheraphy Facility

Awschalom, M.; Lee, G. M.; Palmer, M.L.; Young, D. E.

doi:10.1109/tns.1977.4328849

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Neutron therapy was revived in 1965 by Mary Catterall at Hammersmith Hospital in London and later various centres were built where fast neutrons were used for many years. In particular in the 1970s radiation oncologists of Chicago worked with Robert Rathbun (Bob) Wilson, Fermilab Director, to build the 'Neutron Therapy Facility' at Fermilab based on the injector linac [71]. At Michigan University, Henry Blosser built for the Harper Hospital a proton cyclotron rotating around the patient.…”

Section: Neutron Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Accelerators and Storage Rings

Dohlus

Roßbach

Bethge

et al. 2020

Particle Physics Reference Library

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Section: Neutron Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Accelerators and Storage Rings

Dohlus

Roßbach

Bethge

et al. 2020

Particle Physics Reference Library

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“…At Fermilab protons from a linear accelerator are used to generate the clinical neutron beam (Awschalom et al 1977). Protons of 66 MeV are extracted from the accelerator and impinged onto a 22.1 mm thick beryllium target in which they lose 49 MeV.…”

Section: Facilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the tissue to A-150 tissue equivalent plastic kerma ratio at two p(66)Be neutron therapy facilities

Langen¹,

Binns²,

Schreuder³

et al. 2003

Phys. Med. Biol.

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The ICRU tissue to A-150 tissue equivalent plastic kerma ratio is needed for neutron therapy dosimetry. The current ICRU protocol for neutron dosimetry recommends using a common conversion factor of 0.95 at all high-energy neutron therapy facilities. In an effort to determine facility specific ICRU tissue to A-150 plastic kerma ratios, an experimental approach was pursued. Four low pressure proportional counters that differed in wall materials (i.e. A-150, carbon, zirconium and zirconium-oxide) were used as dosimeters and integral kerma ratios were determined directly in the clinical beam. Measurements were performed at two p(66)Be facilities: iThemba LABS near Cape Town and Fermilab near Chicago. At the iThemba facility the clinical neutron beam is routinely filtered by a flattening and hardening filter combination. The influence of beam filtration on the kerma ratio was evaluated. Using two recent gas-to-wall dose conversion factor (r(m,g) value) evaluations a mean ICRU tissue to A-150 plastic kerma ratio of 0.93 +/- 0.05 was determined for the clinical beam at iThemba LABS. The respective value for the Fermilab beam is 0.95 +/- 0.05. The experimentally determined ICRU tissue to A-150 plastic kerma ratios for the two clinical beams are in agreement with theoretical evaluations. Beam filtration reduces the kerma ratio by 3 +/- 2%.

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“…Protons exiting tank four have an energy of 99 MeV. However, the space between the linac tanks is such that with a conventional magnet only protons up to 65-70 Me V could be cleanly extracted [28]. Protons leaving linac tank three have an energy of 66 Me V and in order to use these protons, linac tank four is turned off while beam pulses designated for NTF are passing through.…”

Section: Neutron Therapy Facility (Ntf) At Fermilabmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microdosimetric Investigation at the Fast Neutron Therapy Facility at Fermilab

Langen

1997

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Microdosimetry was used to investigate three issues at the neutron therapy facility (NTF) at Fermilab. Firstly, the conversion factor froµi absorbed dose in A-150 tissue equivalent plastic to absorbed dose in ICRU tissue was determined. For this, the effective neutron kerma factor ratios, i.e. oxygen to A-150 tissue equivalent plastic and carbon to A-150 tissue equivalent plastic, were measured in the neutron beam. An A-150 tissue equivalent plastic to ICRU tissue absorbed dose conversion factor of 0.92 ± 0.04 was determined. Secondly, variations in the radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) in the beam were mapped by determining variations in two related quantities, e* and R, with field size and depth in tissue. Maximal variation in e* and R of 9 % and 15 % respectively were determined. Lastly, the feasibility of utilizing the boron neutron capture reaction on boron-10 to selectively enhance the tumor dose in the NTF beam was investigated. In the unmodified beam, a negligible enhancement for a 50 ppm boron loading was measured. To boost the boron dose enhancement to 3 % it was necessary to change the primary proton energy from 66 Me V to 37 Me V and to filter the beam by 90 mm of tungsten. Vl List of Tables 1 Several fast neutron therapy facilities and some of their characteristics. 6 2 The diameter, density, mass and cross section of the tissue cell and counter cavity. 3 Conversion factors between y, Y, D 9 and E, for a 2 µm gas filling.

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The Fermilab Neutron Radiotheraphy Facility

Cited by 10 publications

References 2 publications

Application of Accelerators and Storage Rings

Application of Accelerators and Storage Rings

Measurement of the tissue to A-150 tissue equivalent plastic kerma ratio at two p(66)Be neutron therapy facilities

Microdosimetric Investigation at the Fast Neutron Therapy Facility at Fermilab

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