{"title":"Study of directional pulsed neutron flux generation for BNCT using a high-intensity lithium beam","authors":"Masahiro Okamura , Antonino Cannavo , Shunsuke Ikeda , Takeshi Kanesue , Toshiro Sakabe , Kazumasa Takahashi , Giovanni Ceccio , Madhawa Horana Gamage","doi":"10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111872","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper introduces a novel neutron production system for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) that employs a lithium beam in inverse kinematics to generate forward-directed neutrons through the <sup>7</sup>Li (p,n)<sup>7</sup>Be reaction. The system utilizes a thin polypropylene target and an optimized beam configuration to achieve high neutron yield and precise directional control. A tape target mechanism is incorporated to effectively manage thermal loads, ensuring stable and reliable operation. The proposed system could offer substantial advantages over conventional neutron sources, including enhanced neutron directionality and a reduced shielding requirement. This approach increases the potential for precise tumor targeting while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, paving the way for a more accessible and efficient BNCT treatment option.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8096,"journal":{"name":"Applied Radiation and Isotopes","volume":"223 ","pages":"Article 111872"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Radiation and Isotopes","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969804325002179","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, INORGANIC & NUCLEAR","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This paper introduces a novel neutron production system for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) that employs a lithium beam in inverse kinematics to generate forward-directed neutrons through the 7Li (p,n)7Be reaction. The system utilizes a thin polypropylene target and an optimized beam configuration to achieve high neutron yield and precise directional control. A tape target mechanism is incorporated to effectively manage thermal loads, ensuring stable and reliable operation. The proposed system could offer substantial advantages over conventional neutron sources, including enhanced neutron directionality and a reduced shielding requirement. This approach increases the potential for precise tumor targeting while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, paving the way for a more accessible and efficient BNCT treatment option.
期刊介绍:
Applied Radiation and Isotopes provides a high quality medium for the publication of substantial, original and scientific and technological papers on the development and peaceful application of nuclear, radiation and radionuclide techniques in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, biology, medicine, security, engineering and in the earth, planetary and environmental sciences, all including dosimetry. Nuclear techniques are defined in the broadest sense and both experimental and theoretical papers are welcome. They include the development and use of α- and β-particles, X-rays and γ-rays, neutrons and other nuclear particles and radiations from all sources, including radionuclides, synchrotron sources, cyclotrons and reactors and from the natural environment.
The journal aims to publish papers with significance to an international audience, containing substantial novelty and scientific impact. The Editors reserve the rights to reject, with or without external review, papers that do not meet these criteria.
Papers dealing with radiation processing, i.e., where radiation is used to bring about a biological, chemical or physical change in a material, should be directed to our sister journal Radiation Physics and Chemistry.