Neutron sources in a 24-MV medical linear accelerator. 1985

P D LaRiviere

During the assembly of the prototype Clinac 2500, a unique opportunity arose to measure the cumulative total neutron yield of the machine as the major subassemblies were added, section by section. Differentiation of the results led to an inventory of the relative strength of the several neutron sources identified. The method utilized the fact that the scattered neutron fluence in a cavity in concrete is nearly uniform throughout the space and proportional to the fast neutron source strength. When normalized to the neutron output of the guide with bend magnet vacuum chamber, the relative neutron source strengths found were target, 1.9; primary collimator, 2.4; steel filter, 0.6; tungsten filter, 1.5; and jaw system, 0.8 open and approximately 2.0 closed. There is reasonable agreement between these measurements and published estimates of the yields from the major components of the treatment head.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009502 Neutrons Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay. Neutron
D010315 Particle Accelerators Devices which accelerate electrically charged atomic or subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons or ions, to high velocities so they have high kinetic energy. Betatrons,Linear Accelerators,Accelerator, Linear,Accelerator, Particle,Accelerators, Linear,Accelerators, Particle,Betatron,Linear Accelerator,Particle Accelerator
D011878 Radiotherapy The use of IONIZING RADIATION to treat malignant NEOPLASMS and some benign conditions. Radiotherapy, Targeted,Targeted Radiotherapy,Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapy, Targeted,Radiation Treatment,Targeted Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapies,Radiation Therapies, Targeted,Radiation Treatments,Radiotherapies,Radiotherapies, Targeted,Targeted Radiation Therapies,Targeted Radiotherapies,Therapies, Radiation,Therapies, Targeted Radiation,Therapy, Radiation,Therapy, Targeted Radiation,Treatment, Radiation
D011879 Radiotherapy Dosage The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy. Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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