Optimization of the photoneutron target geometry for e-accelerator based BNCT

Journal Title: Electronic Physician - Year 2017, Vol 9, Issue 6

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Today, electron accelerators are taken into consideration as photoneutron sources. Therefore, for maximum production of epithermal neutron flux, designing a photoneutron target is of significant importance. In this paper, the effect of thickness and geometric shape of a photoneutron target on neutron output were investigated. METHODS: In this study, a pencil photon source with 13, 15, 18, 20 and 25 MeV energies and a diameter of 2 mm was investigated using Monte Carlo simulation method using MCNP code. To optimize the design of the photoneutron target, the tungsten target with various geometries and thicknesses was investigated. RESULTS: The maximum neutron flux produced for all target geometries and thicknesses occurred at neutron energy peak of around 0.46 MeV. As the thickness increased to 2 cm, neutron flux increased and then a decreasing trend was observed. For various geometrical shapes, the determining factor in photoneutron output was the effective target thickness in the photon interaction path that increased by the increase in the area of interaction. Another factor was the angle of the photon's incidence with the target surface that resulted in a significant decrease in photoneutron output in cone-shaped targets. CONCLUSION: Three factors including the total neutron flux, neutrons energy spectrum, and convergence of neutrons plays an important role in the selection of geometry and shape of the target that should be investigated considering beam shaping assembly (BSA) shape

Authors and Affiliations

Nahid Chegeni, Saleh Boveiry Pur, Sasan Razmjoo, Seydeh Khadijed Hoseini

Keywords

Related Articles

A prospective study of psychomotor performance of driving among two kinds of shift work in Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Driving after a night shift imposes a risk on health care professionals and other road users. The aim of this study was to measure psychomotor performance of driving of night shift nurses compared to...

Process and barriers to organ donation and causes of brain death in northeast of Iran

INTRODUCTION: Organ transplantation is the treatment of choice for some diseases. However, the need for cadaveric organ donation has either plateaued or is on a decreasing trend in some countries, especially in developed...

Effect of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model on promoting self-care behaviors of type-2 diabetes patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is a chronic disease in which patients require lifelong self-care behaviors. The present study offset to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the Health Belief Mode...

Teachers’ and postgraduate nursing students’ experience of the educational environment in Iran: A qualitative Research

BACKGROUND: The learning environment has a significant role in determining nursing students' academic achievements and course satisfaction. Creating a proper educational environment is therefore necessary for improving t...

Severe angina pectoris in asthma attack: a case report

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways related to the obstruction of reversible airflow. Asthma presents as recurrent attacks of cough and dyspnea. Poor control causes recurrent admissions to the ICU, a...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP322030
  • DOI 10.19082/4590
  • Views 62
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Nahid Chegeni, Saleh Boveiry Pur, Sasan Razmjoo, Seydeh Khadijed Hoseini (2017). Optimization of the photoneutron target geometry for e-accelerator based BNCT. Electronic Physician, 9(6), 4590-4596. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-322030