Neutron beam optimization based on a ⁷ Li(p,n) ⁷ Be reaction for treatment of deep-seated brain tumors by BNCT

Abstract

Neutron beam optimization for accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is investigated using a 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be reaction. Design and optimization have been carried out for the target, cooling system, moderator, filter, reflector, and collimator to achieve a high flux of epithermal neutron and satisfy the IAEA criteria. Also, the performance of the designed beam in tissue is assessed by using a simulated Snyder head phantom. The results show that the optimization of the collimator and reflector is critical to finding the best neutron beam based on the 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be reaction. Our designed beam has 2.49×10 9 n/cm 2 s epithermal neutron flux and is suitable for BNCT of deep-seated brain tumors.

Calculation of BNCT Dosimetry for Brain Cancer Based on Kartini Research Reactor Using Phits Code

“…Note that the gamma dose is the sum of the secondary gamma dose which is generated of the 1 H (n, γ) 2 H reaction and the primary gamma dose which is generated from primary gamma-ray sources. In term of BNCT, the weighted dose or commonly known as the total biologically weighted dose, is defined as [35]: Table 3 [36,37,18]. RBE is comparison of absorbed doses of radiation reference sources with test radiation that produce the same biological effect, whereas CBE is a factor of the biological effect used on boron carrier compound [38,39].…”