p(42)Be neutron therapy beams: dose rate and penetration as a function of target thickness and beam filtration

It is shown that, in the production of p(42)Be neutron beams for clinical use, the use of semithick targets leads to more desirable beam characteristics when appropriate backstop materials are used. Furthermore, an algebraic representation of beam penetration and of dose per unit charge on target, including hardening by polyethylene filters, provides a method for target optimization.