Accelerator-based BNCT

KREINER, A.J.; BERGUEIRO, J; BALDO, M.; CARTELLI, D.; THATAR VENTO, V.; CASTELL, W.; GOMEZ, J.; PADULO, J.; SUAREZ SANDIN, J.C.; IGARZABAL, M.; ERHARDT, J.; MERCURI, D.O.; MINSKY, D.M.; GIROLA, S.; VALDA, A.A.; KESQUE, J.M,; CAPOULAT, M.E.; HERRERA, M.; GONZÁLEZ, S.; SOMACAL, H.; DEBRAY, M.E.; DEL GROSSO, M.; LEYVA, G.; GAGGETTI, L.; SUÁREZ ANZORENA, M.; RODELICO, G.; GUN, M.

Tsukuba

Congreso; 15th International Congress on Neutron Capture Therapy; 2012

International Society for Neutron Capture Therapy

Accelerator-Based BNCT (AB-BNCT) is establishing itself worldwide as the future modality to start the phase of in-hospital facilities. There are projects in Russia, UK, Italy, Japan, Israel, and Argentina to develop AB-BNCT around different types of accelerators. They will be briefly mentioned. In particular, the present status and recent progress of the Argentine project will be presented. The topics will cover: intense ion sources, power and voltage generation systems for a Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator, acceleration tubes, transport of intense beams, beam diagnostics, control systems, high power targets, the 9Be(d,n) reaction as a possible neutron source, Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA), a treatment room, treatment planning, etc.  A complete new test stand has been built and commissioned for intense proton and deuteron beam production and characterization. Beams of up to 30 mA have been produced and transported to a suppressed Faraday cup. The beam diagnostics has been made through the observation with CCD cameras of induced fluorescence in the residual gas. Complete 100 kV tube units have been built and successfully tested. A 200 kV TESQ accelerator prototype has been constructed. Extensive selfconsistent space charge beam transport simulations have been performed and compared with experimental results. Alternators and high voltage power supplies have been developed for the TESQ accelerator. The control system based on Matlab and optical fiber technology is well advanced.  In addition to the traditional 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, 9Be(d,n)10B using a thin Be target has been thoroughly studied as a candidate for a possible neutron source for deep seated tumors. BSA’s and  production targets have been optimized through simulations and partially constructed. A treatment room complying with regulations has been designed. Finally, realistic treatment planning cases for AB-BNCT have been studied showing a satisfactory performance.