Analysis of photoneutron spectra produced in medical accelerators

A complete method is presented for the evaluation of photoneutron spectra produced in linear accelerators for cancer radiotherapy. It consists of a computer simulation code based on the MCNP4B Monte Carlo code, in which the new routine GAMMAN was implemented, allowing the accurate study of photoneutron production in high Z elements. In addition an experimental method based on a passive bubble spectrometer allows direct measurements of the photoneutron spectrum at the patient plane, also under the photon beam. The results are presented both for a 15 MeV linac with a traditional collimator system and for an 18 MeV linac equipped with a multileaf collimator, used in conformational radiotherapy.