The E LiBANS project: Thermal and epithermal neutron sources based on a medical Linac

Appl Radiat Isot. 2020 Dec:166:109363. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109363. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Abstract

The E_LIBANS project (INFN) aims at producing neutron facilities for interdisciplinary irradiation purposes among which pre-clinical research for BNCT. After the successful setting-up of the thermal neutron source based on a medical LINAC, a similar apparatus for epithermal neutrons has been developed. Both structures are based on an Elekta 18 MV coupled with a photoconverter-moderator system which deploys the (γ,n) reaction to convert the X-rays into neutrons. This communication describes the two neutron sources and the results obtained in their characterization.

Keywords: BNCT preclinical Research; Compact neutron source; Medical LINAC; Moderator assembly; Photonuclear.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / statistics & numerical data
  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Neutrons*
  • Particle Accelerators / instrumentation*