Reactors are currently seen as the most suitable type of neutron source for BNCT implementation, due to the high intensity of the flux they can provide. Neutron sources with epithermal spectrum are being considered for clinical use, because thermal neutrons have limited penetration depth and cannot be used for the treatment of deep pathologies.The preferred characteristics of the neutron beam are:- high epithermal flux intensity for reducing the irradiation time;- low/high energy neutrons component for sparing the healthy tissues;- low thermal neutron component which causes undue dose on surface tissues;- low gamma ray flux;- high forward component (current to flux ratio).In this work, beside a brief description of TRIGA characteristics for a BNCT activity, the design of a modification for the low-power fast-flux TAPIRO reactor to have an optimized epithermal flux is presented.
TAPIRO and TRIGA ENEA's Reactors as Neutron Source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Nava, E.;
1998-02-24
Abstract
Reactors are currently seen as the most suitable type of neutron source for BNCT implementation, due to the high intensity of the flux they can provide. Neutron sources with epithermal spectrum are being considered for clinical use, because thermal neutrons have limited penetration depth and cannot be used for the treatment of deep pathologies.The preferred characteristics of the neutron beam are:- high epithermal flux intensity for reducing the irradiation time;- low/high energy neutrons component for sparing the healthy tissues;- low thermal neutron component which causes undue dose on surface tissues;- low gamma ray flux;- high forward component (current to flux ratio).In this work, beside a brief description of TRIGA characteristics for a BNCT activity, the design of a modification for the low-power fast-flux TAPIRO reactor to have an optimized epithermal flux is presented.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
