A Tandem-electrostatic-quadrupole for accelerator-based BNCT

Authors:   Kreiner A. J., Kwan J. W., Burlón A. A., Di Paolo H., Henestroza E., Minsky D. M., Valda A. A., Debray M. E., Somacal H.
Journal: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.055
Abstract: A project to develop a Tandem-electrostatic-quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator for accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) is described. A folded Tandem, with 1.25 MV terminal voltage, combined with an electrostatic quadrupole (ESQ) chain is being proposed. The project goal is a machine capable of delivering 30 mA of 2.5 MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction slightly beyond its resonance at 2.25 MeV. This machine is conceptually shown to be capable of accelerating a 30 mA proton beam to 2.5 MeV. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams, based on the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction, to perform BNCT treatment for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. This electrostatic machine is the technologically simplest and cheapest solution for optimized AB-BNCT.