https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06390-1
Regular Article
Optimization of a multi-moderator neutron spectrometer for use in epithermal neutron spectrum measurements in BNCT
1
Department of Physics, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, P. O. Box 16315-1618, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Physics, School of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P. O. Box 91775-1436, Mashhad, Iran
3
National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 634050, Tomsk, Russian Federation
Received:
4
February
2025
Accepted:
30
April
2025
Published online:
29
May
2025
In boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), it is crucial to accurately measure the neutron energy spectra within the therapeutic range. To achieve this, a variety of instrumentations, both real-time and passive, has been utilized for energy spectrum measurement during or prior to the treatment. However, a significant challenge arises from the abundance of epithermal neutrons in the BNCT neutron energy spectrum, coupled with the narrow therapeutic energy interval. To overcome this challenge, dedicated systems need to be designed to ensure precise measurements. This article focuses on a comprehensive study that explores the feasibility of designing and optimizing a cylindrical multi-moderator neutron spectrometer. Ultimately, this study is able to improve the results of previous efforts by 56.6%. The study utilizes a LiI(Eu) thermal neutron detector, which is based on the thermal beam derived from the beam shaping assembly of the Tehran Research Reactor, which serves as the exclusive neutron source for the BNCT in Iran. Also, the AFITBUNKI code is employed for neutron energy spectrum unfolding.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
