Monte Carlo study of Siemens PRIMUS photoneutron production

Neutron production in radiotherapy facilities has been studied from the early days of modern linacs. Detailed studies are now possible using photoneutron capabilities of general-purpose Monte Carlo codes at energies of interest in medical physics. The present work studies the effects of modelling different accelerator head and room geometries on the neutron fluence and spectra predicted via Monte Carlo. The results from the simulation of a 15 MV Siemens PRIMUS linac show an 80% increase in the fluence scored at the isocentre when, besides modelling the components necessary for electron/photon simulations, other massive accelerator head components are included. Neutron fluence dependence on inner treatment room volume is analysed showing that thermal neutrons have a 'gaseous' behaviour and then a 1/V dependence. Neutron fluence maps for three energy ranges, fast (E > 0.1 MeV), epithermal (1 eV < E < 0.1 MeV) and thermal (E < 1 eV), are also presented and the influence of the head components on them is discussed.