First experimental verification of the neutron field of Nagoya University Accelerator-driven neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy

Authors:   Kenichi Watanabe, Sachiko Yoshihashi, Akihisa Ishikawa, Shogo Honda, Atsushi Yamazaki, Yukio Tsurita, Akira Uritani, Kazuki Tsuchida, Yoshiaki Kiyanagi
Journal: Applied Radiation and Isotopes
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109553
Abstract: As the commissioning phase of the Nagoya University Accelerator-driven Neutron Source for boron neutron capture therapy, in-phantom thermal neutron flux measurements were conducted using a small ⁶LiF/Eu:CaF₂ scintillator detector and activation foils. The spatial distribution of the measured thermal neutron flux agreed with the Monte Carlo simulation results. Based on this comparison, the free-in-air neutron spectrum, calculated at the exit aperture, was verified and the epithermal neutron flux, at a 0.25 mA proton current, was evaluated as (1.49 ± 0.10) × 10⁷ n/(cm2 s).