Determination of the Dose Load in Neutron Capture Therapy Using a Xenon Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

Abstract

We discuss a possibility of using a xenon gamma-ray spectrometer (XGRS) based on a cylindrical ionization chamber filled with xenon at a pressure of 40 atm for measuring dose loads during neutron capture therapy (NCT). Advantages of the detector include its resistance to neutron fluxes and a high energy resolution (1.7% at gamma-quanta energies of 662 keV). These characteristics provide the capability to obtain reliable and effective results during NCT. Use is also made of a Pu‒Be neutron source and a pulsed neutron generator.