Characterization and utilization of a Bonner sphere set based on gold activation foils

Area of Science:

• Nuclear physics
• Radiation detection and measurement
• Medical physics

Background:

• Bonner sphere (BS) systems are crucial for neutron spectrometry.
• Activation foil-based BS systems offer advantages in challenging environments like pulsed fields or high photon backgrounds.
• Active BS systems may be unsuitable in such specific radiation fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the response functions of a Bonner sphere (BS) set utilizing gold activation foils.
• To demonstrate the application of this validated BS system for measuring neutron spectra.
• To assess the contaminant neutron spectrum in a clinical radiotherapy setting.

Main Methods:

• Employed a combination of experimental measurements and computational calculations.
• Validated the response functions of the gold foil Bonner sphere spectrometer.
• Performed a measurement of the neutron spectrum within a hospital linear accelerator treatment room.

Main Results:

• Successfully validated the response functions for the gold foil Bonner sphere (BS) set.
• Demonstrated the capability of the BS system to accurately measure neutron spectra.
• Characterized the contaminant neutron spectrum in a 21 MV radiotherapy linear accelerator's treatment room.

Conclusions:

• The validated gold foil Bonner sphere (BS) system is reliable for neutron spectrometry, particularly in challenging radiation environments.
• This system provides a viable method for characterizing neutron contamination in medical facilities.
• The findings contribute to improved radiation safety and dosimetry in radiotherapy.