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Monte Carlo study of photoneutron production in the Varian Clinac 2100C linac

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Abstract

Medical linear accelerators (linacs) are used extensively in modern radiotherapy for their flexibility and versatility. As the treatment regime moves from low-energy photon beams to high-energy beams, photoneutrons produced in the linac head components become important. This work used the general purpose Monte Carlo code MCNPX to model the Varian Clinac 2100C linac with a 15 MV photon beam. Simulations are carried out for several field sizes commonly encountered in radiotherapy. Photoneutron productions in various head components are estimated from the photon fluence and the photoneutron production cross sections. The results serve as a basis for further studies on using the linac as an alternative neutron source in BNCT and radiation protection issues arising from photoneutrons in the treatment room.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK

    A. Ma, A. Alghamdi, A. Alfuraih & N. M. Spyrou

  2. Medical Physics Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY, UK

    J. Awotwi-Pratt

Authors
  1. A. Ma
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  2. J. Awotwi-Pratt
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  3. A. Alghamdi
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  4. A. Alfuraih
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  5. N. M. Spyrou
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Correspondence to A. Ma.

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Ma, A., Awotwi-Pratt, J., Alghamdi, A. et al. Monte Carlo study of photoneutron production in the Varian Clinac 2100C linac. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 276, 119–123 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-007-0419-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-007-0419-3

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