On optimizing the {sup 7}Li(p,n) proton beam energy and moderator material for BNCT

Conference · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/273022· OSTI ID:442189

Bleuel, D L ^[1]; Donahue, R J; Ludewigt, B A ^[2]

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1. California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (United States)

The reaction {sup 7}Li(p,n){sup 7}Be has been proposed as an accelerator-based source of neutrons for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). This reaction has a large steep resonance for proton energies around 2.3 MeV which ends at approximately 2.5 MeV. It is generally accepted that the use of 2.5 MeV protons produces the highest yield of neutrons for BNCT. This paper suggests that for BNCT the optimum proton energy may be as low as 2.2-2.3 MeV. The evaluation of the clinical usefulness of the epithermal neutron beams investigated here has been based on depth-dose distributions in a head phantom.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 442189
• Report Number(s): LBNL--39057; CONF-961110--10; ON: DE97008358
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
66 PHYSICS
BERYLLIUM 7
ENERGY DEPENDENCE
EPITHERMAL NEUTRONS
LITHIUM 7 TARGET
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON FLUX
NEUTRON SOURCES
NUCLEAR REACTION YIELD
PROTON REACTIONS