The Relationship Between BNCT Neutron Beam Parameters and Treatment Planning Figures-Of-Merit

Abstract

The task of designing an epithermal neutron beam for BNCT is not an easy one, especially since the design goals are often ill-defined. Most people agree that the epithermal neutron fluence rate should be “as high as possible” but in any case between 10⁸ and 10⁹cm⁻²s⁻¹. Similarly, there is general consensus that the fast neutron and γ-ray dose rates per unit epithermal neutron fluence should be “as low as possible” and figures such as “less than about 8 × 10⁻¹³Gycm² for neutrons and 2 × 10⁻¹³Gycm² for photons” have been used. These figures are not universally accepted, which is not surprising since there is no scientific basis for the adoption of these limits.