A compact, accelerator-driven, neutron activator based on the Adiabatic Resonance Crossing (ARC) method has been developed in the frame of the INBARCA project, funded under the EUREKA programme. It has been assembled and tested at the Scanditronix MC40 Cyclotron of the Joint Research Centre (JRC Ispra, Italy) with the aim of efficiently utilising ion-beam generated neutrons for the production of radioactive nanoparticles for brachytherapy. Monte Carlo and Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were carried out to optimise the design of the activator, which is based on a hybrid approach, coupling a lead buffer and a graphite reflector. The activator has been tested under various experimental conditions, and the neutron fluxes at the different irradiation positions of the system were calculated. Experimental results on the activation of pure Au, Al, Mo, Ho and Re foils are presented and show a good agreement with calculations. The results obtained are compared to previously reported work. The next experimental stage will be the activation of Ho/Re Poly-Lactic Acid nanoparticles for brachytherapy applications.
Design and test of an accelerator driven neutron activator at the JRC cyclotron of the european commission
Burgio N.;
2007-01-01
Abstract
A compact, accelerator-driven, neutron activator based on the Adiabatic Resonance Crossing (ARC) method has been developed in the frame of the INBARCA project, funded under the EUREKA programme. It has been assembled and tested at the Scanditronix MC40 Cyclotron of the Joint Research Centre (JRC Ispra, Italy) with the aim of efficiently utilising ion-beam generated neutrons for the production of radioactive nanoparticles for brachytherapy. Monte Carlo and Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were carried out to optimise the design of the activator, which is based on a hybrid approach, coupling a lead buffer and a graphite reflector. The activator has been tested under various experimental conditions, and the neutron fluxes at the different irradiation positions of the system were calculated. Experimental results on the activation of pure Au, Al, Mo, Ho and Re foils are presented and show a good agreement with calculations. The results obtained are compared to previously reported work. The next experimental stage will be the activation of Ho/Re Poly-Lactic Acid nanoparticles for brachytherapy applications.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
