Prototype epithermal neutron beam for boron neutron capture therapy

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Med. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.595899· OSTI ID:6065577

Noonan, D J; Russell, Jr, J L; Brugger, R M

An epithermal neutron beam has been designed and tested at the Georgia Insitute of Technology's 5-MW Research Reactor. The prototype facility consists of aluminum and sulfur disks in a tangential beam port for fast neutron filtration. A cadmium sheet at the port exit removes the thermal neutrons from the transmitted beam, leaving an intensely epithermal neutron beam spanning five energy decades, each contributing to the flux demanded by boron neutron capture therapy. The thermal neutron flux generated by the incident epithermal neutrons in a polyethylene head phantom peaks at a depth of 3 cm and remains above the incident thermal flux to a 7-cm depth. The beam thus provides the penetration required for treating deep-seated gliomas. Photon contamination in the prototype facility is high, and a number of basic modifications are proposed for reducing it to safer levels.

• Research Organization: School of Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332
• OSTI ID: 6065577
• Journal Information: Med. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Med. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN MPHYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BARYONS
BEAMS
BORON 10
BORON ISOTOPES
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EPITHERMAL NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
GLIOMAS
HADRONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON THERAPY
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
NUCLEON BEAMS
NUCLEONS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PARTICLE BEAMS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
STABLE ISOTOPES
THERAPY