Title: Initial experimental verification of the neutron beam modeling for the LBNL BNCT facility
Abstract: In preparation for future clinical BNCT trials, neutron production via the 7Li(p,n) reaction as well as subsequent moderation to produce epithermal neutrons have been studied. Proper design of a moderator and filter assembly is crucial in producing an optimal epithermal neutron spectrum for brain tumor treatments. Based on in-phantom figures-of-merit, desirable assemblies have been identified. Experiments were performed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s 88-inch cyclotron to characterize epithermal neutron beams created using several microamperes of 2.5 MeV protons on a lithium target. The neutron moderating assembly consisted of Al/AlF3 and Teflon, with a lead reflector to produce an epithermal spectrum strongly peaked at 10–20 keV. The thermal neutron fluence was measured as a function of depth in a cubic lucite head phantom by neutron activation in gold foils. Portions of the neutron spectrum were measured by in-air activation of six cadmium-covered materials (Au, Mn, In, Cu, Co, W) with high epithermal neutron absorbtion resonances. The results are reasonably reproduced in Monte Carlo computational models, confirming their validity.