Near-threshold ~7Li(p,n)~7Be neutrons on the practical conditions using thick Li-target and Gaussian proton energies for BNCT

摘要

The near threshold ~7Li(p,n)~7Be neutrons generated by incident proton energy having Gaussian distribution with mean energies from 1.85 to 1.95 MeV, were studied as a practical neutron source for BNCT wherein an RFQ accelerator and a thick Li-target are used. Gaussian energy distributions with the standard deviation of 0,10,20 and 40 keV for mean proton energies from 1.85 to 1.95 MeV were surveyed in 0.01 MeV increments. A thick liquid Li-target whose dimensions were established in our previous experiments (i.e., 1 mrn-thick with 50 mm width and 50 mm length) was considered in this study. The suitable incident proton energy and physical dimensions of Pb layer which serves as a gamma absorber and a Polyethylene layer which is used as a BDE were surveyed by means of the concepts of TPD. Dose distribution were calculated by using MCNP5. A proton beam with mean energy of 1.92 MeV and a Gaussian energy distribution with a standard deviation of 20 keV at a current of 10 mA was selected from the viewpoint of irradiation time and practically achievable proton current. The suitable thicknesses of Pb gamma absorber was estimated to be about 3 cm. The estimated thickness of the polyethylene BDE was about 24 mm for an ideal proton current of 13 mA, and was 18 mm for a practical proton current of 10 mA.