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

Journal Article · Fri Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.52640· OSTI ID:580122

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

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1. Nuclear Engineering Department, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 (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 lie in an approximate range of 2.3 MeV to 2.5 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. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 580122
• Report Number(s): CONF-961110--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 392; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
DEPTH DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS
LITHIUM 7 TARGET
MEV RANGE 01-10
MODERATORS
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON FLUX
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRON SPECTRA
PROTON BEAMS
PROTON REACTIONS