Design of beam line for BNCT applications in HEC-1 channel of IRT-T research reactor

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2024-02, Vol.215, p.111368, Article 111368
• Main Authors: Bagherzadeh-Atashchi, S., Ghal-Eh, N., Rahmani, F., Izadi-Najafabadi, R., Bedenko, S.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA); Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT); In–phantom parameters; IRT-T research reactor; Neutron converter
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2023.111368

The feasibility of using the HEC-1 beam port of the IRT-T research reactor to generate an epithermal neutron beam for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) was investigated using MCNPX2.6 Monte Carlo simulation. The reactor was first simulated to design and optimize a Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) that meets the neutron beam criteria recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The suggested BSA configuration consisted of a cylindrical geometry with 25 cm of MgF2 and 15 cm of Fluental® as a moderator, 15 cm of Pb as a reflector, two 5 cm Bi slabs as gamma-ray shields, and 4 mm of 6Li and 5 mm of borated polyethylene sheets as thermal neutron filters. The results showed that the epithermal neutron flux at the BSA exit was 2.3×109 n/cm2.s, and in-phantom dose analysis indicated that the designed beam could be used for the treatment of deep brain tumors within an allowable treatment time of 50 min. •HEC-1 channel of the IRT-T reactor was evaluated for the BNCT of deep-seated tumors.•BSA was designed to produce neutron spectrum tailored to the epithermal energy range.•Optimization of BSA and simulation of reactor were carried out using MCNPX2.6 code.•Neutron beam was found to provide effective therapy in an acceptable treatment time.