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Long term activation in a 15 MeV radiotherapy accelerator
Author(s) -
Brusa A.,
Cesana A.,
Stucchi C.,
Terrani M.,
Zanellati F.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1118/1.2936223
Subject(s) - linear particle accelerator , induced radioactivity , particle accelerator , physics , dosimetry , nuclear engineering , nuclear physics , radiation , nuclear medicine , shielded cable , radiochemistry , medical physics , neutron , computer science , optics , chemistry , medicine , engineering , beam (structure) , telecommunications
The high energy electrons produced by linear accelerators can generate several radioisotopes by means of photonuclear reactions. The activity produced in the head of a 15 MV Mevatron Siemens 77 medical linear accelerator was measured by high resolution gamma‐ray spectrometry, during its decommissioning 1 year after the last clinical use. The activity ofM54 n ,C57 o ,C60 o ,W181, andZ65 n was measured while the activity of other radioisotopes which emit soft β or γ rays such asN59 i ,N63 i , andF55 e was inferred by appropriate scaling factors. The number of pieces requiring particular care is limited, their mass does not exceed some tens of kilograms, and their volume is of the order of some thousands ofcm 3 . Moreover, these materials are metals and the emitted radiation can be easily shielded, so that storage should not create particular problems.