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A comparison of neutron beams for BNCT based on in‐phantom neutron field assessment parameters
Author(s) -
Woollard Jeffrey E.,
Albertson Brent J.,
Reed Michael K.,
Blue Thomas E.,
Capala Jacek,
Gupta Nilendu,
Gahbauer Reinhard A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.1339878
Subject(s) - imaging phantom , neutron , neutron source , linear particle accelerator , neutron capture , materials science , nuclear medicine , beam (structure) , dosimetry , nuclear physics , physics , nuclear engineering , optics , medicine , engineering
In this paper our in‐phantom neutron field assessment parameters, T and D Tumor , were used to evaluate several neutron sources for use in BNCT. Specifically, neutron fields from The Ohio State University (OSU) Accelerator‐Based Neutron Source (ABNS) design, two alternative ABNS designs from the literature (theAl / AlF 3– Al 2O 3ABNS and the7LiF – Al 2O 3ABNS), a fission‐convertor plate concept based on the 500‐kW OSU Research Reactor (OSURR), and the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR) facility were evaluated. In order to facilitate a comparison of the various neutron fields, values of T and D Tumorwere calculated in a 14 cm×14 cm×14 cm lucite cube phantom located in the treatment port of each neutron source. All of the other relevant factors, such as phantom materials, kerma factors, and treatment parameters, were kept the same. The treatment times for the OSURR, the7LiF – Al 2O 3ABNS operating at a beam current of 10 mA, and the BMRR were calculated to be comparable and acceptable, with a treatment time per fraction of approximately 25 min for a four fraction treatment scheme. The treatment time per fraction for the OSU ABNS and theAl / AlF 3– Al 2O 3ABNS can be reduced to below 30 min per fraction for four fractions, if the proton beam current is made greater than approximately 20 mA. D Tumorwas calculated along the beam centerline for tumor depths in the phantom ranging from 0 to 14 cm. For tumor depths ranging from 0 to approximately 1.5 cm, the value of D Tumorfor the OSURR is largest, while for tumor depths ranging from 1.5 to approximately 14 cm, the value of D Tumorfor the OSU‐ABNS is the largest.