Abstract
Compact accelerator neutron sources for epithermal neutron capture therapy hold the promise of permitting wide availability for this therapeutic modality for cancer treatment. This paper discusses source concepts for this purpose utilizing (p,n) reactions, operating with proton bombarding energies close to the neutron threshold. This scheme allows for smaller, more efficient moderator/filters with the consequent result of less reduction of epithermal flux by the moderator/filter assembly. Work by our collaboration is examining the balance between total neutron yield and filter/moderator efficiency in order to achieve intense epithermal beams with low fast neutron contamination. Particular emphasis is on the Li-7(p,n)Be-7 reaction due to its high neutron yield compared to other possibilities such as Be-9(p,n)B-9. It is shown that the poor target characteristics of pure lithium can be overcome by selection of a suitable lithium compound as target material. Neutronic measurements and calculations on various moderator/reflector assemblies at multiple proton energies near threshold are presented. The results support the contention that it will be possible to provide needed neutron intensities and energies with proton beam currents between 1 to 10 mA.
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