The feasibility of accelerator-based in vivo neutron activation analysis of nitrogen

The feasibility of accelerator-based in vivo neutron activation analysis of nitrogen has been investigated. It was found that a moderated neutron flux from ∼10 μA of 2.5 MeV protons on a 9Be target performed as well as, and possibly slightly better than the existing isotope-based approach in terms o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied radiation and isotopes 2001-12, Vol.55 (6), p.767-774
Main Authors: O’Meara, J.M., Blackburn, B.W., Chichester, D.L., Gierga, D.P., Yanch, J.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body Composition
Humans
Neutron Activation Analysis - instrumentation
Neutron Activation Analysis - methods
Neutron Activation Analysis - statistics & numerical data
Nitrogen - analysis
Particle Accelerators - instrumentation
Sensitivity and Specificity
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Summary:The feasibility of accelerator-based in vivo neutron activation analysis of nitrogen has been investigated. It was found that a moderated neutron flux from ∼10 μA of 2.5 MeV protons on a 9Be target performed as well as, and possibly slightly better than the existing isotope-based approach in terms of net counts per unit subject dose. Such a system may be an attractive alternative to the widespread use of 238,239Pu/Be or 252Cf neutron sources, since there is more flexibility in the energy spectrum generated by accelerator-based neutron sources. From a radiation safety standpoint, accelerators have the advantage in that they only produce radiation when in operation. Furthermore, an accelerator beam can be pulsed, to reduce background detected in the prompt- γ measurement, and such a device has a wide range of additional biological and medical applications.
ISSN:0969-8043
1872-9800
DOI:10.1016/S0969-8043(01)00135-X