Photoneutron production by a 25 MeV electron linac for BNCT application

Recently, extensive research has been performed to produce neutron beams in hospitals using electron linear accelerator for neutron medical applications such as Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. In this article, we present the results of Monte Carlo calculations, using MCNPX code, for the possibility of setting up a 25 MeV electron linac based photoneutron source for BNCT applications. Photon and photoneutron converters with different materials in various geometries were studied to achieve maximum neutron yield. In addition, the possibility of using an optimized neutron beam in BNCT was investigated by proposing the optimized beam shaping assembly. It was shown that our designed neutron beam, which passes through the optimized BSA, meets the IAEA criteria for in-air parameters.

► A photoneutron source based on a 25 MeV electron linac is studied.
► Photon and photoneutron converters are optimized to achieve maximum neutron yield.
► Usability of designed beam in BNCT is investigated by proposing an optimized BSA.
► Results show that designed neutron beam satisfies IAEA criteria for in-air parameters.