Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Design of filtered epithermal neutron beams for BNCT

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5806953
The design principles of filters (installed in nuclear reactors) to provide epithermal neutron beams suitable for use in /sup 10/B Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) are reviewed. The goal of such filters is to provide epithermal neutron beams within an energy range of approx.1 keV to approx.30 keV with fluxes in excess of 5 x 10/sup 8/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/ x s, and having acceptably low contaminant fast neutron (>30 keV) and gamma components. Filters considered for this application include /sup 238/U, Sc, Fe/Al and Al/S. It is shown that in order to achieve a goal epithermal neutron flux of >5 x 10/sup 8/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/ x s, such filters must be located in radial beam channels which view essentially the complete reactor core. Based on considerations of estimated epithermal fluxes, cost and availability of materials, and transmitted neutron energy spectrum, it is suggested that a filter consisting of elements of Al, S, Ti and V might prove to be an optimum design for BNCT applications.
Research Organization:
EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
OSTI ID:
5806953
Report Number(s):
EGG-M-08386; CONF-860155-3; ON: DE86011050
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English