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Be target development for the accelerator-based SPES-BNCT facility at INFN Legnaro
J Esposito1, P Colautti, S Fabritsiev
1National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) Legnaro National Laboratory, Via dell'Università 2, Legnaro (Padova), Italy. juan.esposito@lnl.infn.it
Researchers are developing a high-power neutron converter for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) using a beryllium-based target and the (9)Be(p,xn) reaction, crucial for the SPES research program.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Medical physics
- Accelerator technology
Background:
- Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) requires reliable neutron sources.
- The SPES research program at INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (LNL) necessitates an accelerator-driven thermal neutron source.
- High-power neutron converters are critical for BNCT facility operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and test novel beryllium-based neutron converter concepts.
- To meet the specific requirements of the SPES driver (150 kW power, 5 MeV beam energy).
- To advance the development of accelerator-driven neutron sources for BNCT.
Main Methods:
- Designing two original beryllium-based target concepts.
- Utilizing the (9)Be(p,xn) nuclear reaction for neutron production.
- Constructing and testing prototypes of the neutron converter.
Main Results:
- Successful design of two beryllium-based target concepts.
- Initial testing of constructed prototypes has been performed.
- The study reports on the current status and test results of the neutron converter development.
Conclusions:
- The development of a reliable neutron converter is progressing.
- The designed concepts are suitable for the SPES facility constraints.
- Further testing and validation are ongoing for the neutron converter prototypes.
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