Neutron energy spectra of d(49)-Be and p(41)-Be neutron radiotherapy sources

Zero-degree neutron energy spectra for the p(41)-Be and d(49)-Be reactions were measured by time-of-flight for neutrons with energies above 1.9 and 1.4 MeV, respectively. Spectral changes resulting from the addition of copper, aluminum, and polyethylene filters to unfiltered beams were determined. Integral yields, average energies, filter material attenuation coefficients, and kerma fractions were computed for these spectra. Calculated spectra for neutron beams filtered by various thicknesses of polyethylene compared favorably with experimental results