Combined TL and 10B-alanine ESR dosimetry for BNCT

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2004;110(1-4):627-30. doi: 10.1093/rpd/nch110.

Abstract

The dosimetric technique described in this paper is based on electron spin resonance (ESR) detectors using an alanine-boric compound acid enriched with (10)B, and beryllium oxide thermoluminescent (TL) detectors; with this combined dosimetry, it is possible to discriminate the doses due to thermal neutrons and gamma radiation in a mixed field. Irradiations were carried out inside the thermal column of a TRIGA MARK II water-pool-type research nuclear reactor, also used for Boron Neutron Capture therapy (BNCT) applications, with thermal neutron fluence from 10(9) to 10(14) nth cm(-2). The ESR dosemeters using the alanine-boron compound indicated ESR signals about 30-fold stronger than those using only alanine. Moreover, a negligible correction for the gamma contribution, measured with TL detectors, almost insensitive to thermal neutrons, was necessary. Therefore, a simultaneous analysis of our TL and ESR detectors allows discrimination between thermal neutron and gamma doses, as required in BNCT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Body Burden
  • Boron / radiation effects
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / instrumentation
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / methods*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Gamma Rays / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Isotopes / radiation effects
  • Neutrons / therapeutic use*
  • Radiation Protection / methods*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Relative Biological Effectiveness
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Systems Integration
  • Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / instrumentation
  • Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / methods*

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • Boron