Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 13, 2406006 (2018)

Regular Articles

Development of LINAC-Based Neutron Source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in University of Tsukuba
Hiroaki KUMADA, Fujio NAITO1), Kazuo HASEGAWA2), Hitoshi KOBAYASHI1), Toshikazu KURIHARA1), Kenta TAKADA, Takahiro ONISHI, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Akira MATSUMURA and Takeji SAKAE
Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
1)
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
2)
J-PARC Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
(Received 12 June 2017 / Accepted 3 December 2017 / Published 9 February 2018)

Abstract

Clinical trials of the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) have been conducted using research reactors. Recent progresses in the accelerator and accelerator-driven-neutron-source technologies have rendered it possible to generate the substantial number of neutrons required for BNCT treatment, using a compact accelerator, which can be installed in a hospital. The University of Tsukuba launched a project for the development of a compact accelerator-based neutron source for BNCT. For this accelerator, we employed a linear particle accelerator (linac) and the energy of the proton beam was 8 MeV. Beryllium was selected as the neutron target material. To generate sufficient neutron intensity by the reaction between 8 MeV protons and beryllium, the linac accelerates a high current of 5 mA or more. As the target system is critical, we developed a beryllium target system with a three-layered structure to avoid target breakage, caused by massive heat load and blistering, within a short period. The linac-based neutron source for the BNCT is almost complete and we succeeded in generating neutrons, in 2015. Currently, several characteristic measurements are being carried out.

Keywords

boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), compact accelerator-based BNCT, linac, beryllium target, J-PARC, three-layered structure

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.13.2406006

Full Text

PDF format (1.4Mbytes) PDF Download

References

  • [1] Neutron Capture Therapy -Principles and Applications-, Eds. by W.A.G. Sauerwein et al., (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 2012).
  • [2] W.H. Sweet, J. Neuro-Oncol. 33, 19 (1997).
  • [3] T. Yamamoto et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 61, 1089 (2004).
  • [4] T. Yamamoto et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 67, S25 (2009).
  • [5] A.J. Kreiner et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 88, 185 (2014).
  • [6] H. Tanaka et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 267, 1970 (2009).
  • [7] International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA-TECDOC-1223 (2001).
  • [8] H. Kumada et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 88, 211 (2014).
  • [9] H. Kumada et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 106, 78 (2015).
  • [10] A. Masuda et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 127, 47 (2017).