Features of accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy calculated by particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS)
Source abstract
Abstract
Accelerator-based neutron sources have been developed and installed in recent decades for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in several clinical facilities. Lithium is one of the targets that can produce epithermal neutrons from the 7Li(p,n)7Be near-threshold reaction, and accelerator-based BNCT systems employing a Li target are promising for cancer treatment. The accurate evaluation of the characteristics of an accelerator-based neutron source is a key to estimating the therapeutic effects of the accelerator-based BNCT. Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) is a general-purpose Monte Carlo code, which can simulate a variety of diverse particle types and nuclear reactions. The latest PHITS code enables simulating the generation of neutrons from the 7Li(p,n)7Be reactions by using the Japanese Evaluated Nuclear Data Library 4.0 high-energy file. Thus, the PHITS code can be adopted for dose estimation during treatment planning for the accelerator-based BNCT. In this study, we evaluated the neutron fluence using the PHITS code by comparing it to reference data. The subsequent neutron transport simulations were performed to evaluate the boron trifluoride detector responses and the recoiled proton fluence detected by a CR-39 plastic detector. These comparative studies confirmed that the PHITS code can accurately simulate neutrons generated from an accelerator using a Li target. The PHITS code has a significant potential for a detailed evaluation of neutron fields and for predicting the therapeutic effects of the accelerator-based BNCT.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Boron Compounds in Chemistry · Nuclear Physics and Applications · Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) 1 , Tokai 319-1195, Japan
Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University 2 , Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology 3 , Chiba 263-8555, Japan
Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University 4 , Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
Department of Quantum Science and Energy Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University 5 , Sendai 980-8579, Japan
Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University 6 , Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University 7 , Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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