Optimization design of beam shaping assembly based on NG - 9 sealed D - T neutron tube for boron neutron capture...

At present, accelerator-based BNCT has emerged as the mainstream trend of industry development. In the foreseeable future, with the continuous development of BNCT, low - cost and compact BNCT neutron sources will facilitate their wider popularization. The neutron tube, characterized by a compact structure, convenient operation and low cost, serves as a neutron source within the accelerator framework. To ascertain the feasibility of the NG - 9 sealed D - T neutron tube functioning as a BNCT neutron source, we conducted in-depth research and devised a beam shaping device predicated on the NG - 9 sealed D - T neutron tube, subsequently assessing the thermal and epithermal neutron beams within the water phantom and the Snyder model. The ultimate finding reveals that, by employing 20 cm of Pb as the neutron multiplier layer material, 30 cm of AlF₃ as the moderator layer, 15 cm of Pb as the back-reflector layer, and 30 cm of Pb as the reflector layer, among other configurations, and given the current neutron tube yield of 10¹⁰ n/s, an epithermal neutron flux of 8.10 × 10⁵ cm^-2 s^-1 can be attained at the output port of the beam shaping assembly. With the exception of the epithermal neutron flux failing to conform to the parameters recommended by the IAEA, the remaining parameters fulfill the requisite criteria. Furthermore, by utilizing the Snyder head model as the research object, we ascertained that the maximum treatment depth was 8.30 cm, the maximum dose rate in normal tissues was 0.09 cGy min^-1, and the maximum dose rate attainable in tumors was 0.23 cGy min^-1.