TY - JOUR

T1 - A Polyethylene Moderator with Volumetric Bismuth Inclusions for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

AU - Bykov, T. A.

AU - Verkhovod, G. D.

AU - Ibrahim, I. S.

AU - Kasatov, D. A.

AU - Sokolova, E. O.

AU - Shein, T. V.

AU - Shchukin, S. V.

AU - Taskaev, S. Yu.

N1 - Bykov, T.A., Verkhovod, G.D., Ibrahim, I.S. et al. A Polyethylene Moderator with Volumetric Bismuth Inclusions for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Instrum Exp Tech 69, 379–384 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0020441226700417 The study was carried out within the framework of the state contract Conjugates of Boron-Containing Quantum Dots with Biovectors for Diagnostics and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of Superficial Malignant Tumors (FEEM-2024-0011).

PY - 2026/6/25

Y1 - 2026/6/25

N2 - Boron neutron capture therapy, a promising treatment for malignant tumors, requires intense neutron beams in the epithermal energy range. Nuclear reactors or particle accelerators generate higher-energy neutrons and slow them to the required energy through elastic and inelastic scattering of neutrons on the atomic nuclei of the moderator material. Neutrons with energies around 10 keV are optimal for treating deeply localized tumors, and a beam shaping assembly with a moderator made of crystalline or pressed magnesium fluoride is used to generate such a neutron beam. For research with cell cultures and laboratory animals, a hydrogen-containing moderator (plexiglass, polyethylene) is used; in this case, the neutron energy spectrum is shifted toward the thermal region. The authors have proposed using a moderator made of polyethylene with a volumetric inclusion of bismuth. This paper presents the results of measurements of the spatial distribution of the intensity of nuclear neutron absorption reactions by boron and the intensity of γ-radiation in a water phantom for three similar moderators made of plexiglass, polyethylene, and polyethylene with volumetric bismuth inclusions. The measurements were conducted using a compact sensor with a pair of injection-molded polystyrene scintillators, one of which is enriched with boron. It is shown that the use of polyethylene with volumetric bismuth inclusions, compared to plexiglass or polyethylene, reduces the unwanted γ-radiation dose while maintaining the neutron flux intensity.

AB - Boron neutron capture therapy, a promising treatment for malignant tumors, requires intense neutron beams in the epithermal energy range. Nuclear reactors or particle accelerators generate higher-energy neutrons and slow them to the required energy through elastic and inelastic scattering of neutrons on the atomic nuclei of the moderator material. Neutrons with energies around 10 keV are optimal for treating deeply localized tumors, and a beam shaping assembly with a moderator made of crystalline or pressed magnesium fluoride is used to generate such a neutron beam. For research with cell cultures and laboratory animals, a hydrogen-containing moderator (plexiglass, polyethylene) is used; in this case, the neutron energy spectrum is shifted toward the thermal region. The authors have proposed using a moderator made of polyethylene with a volumetric inclusion of bismuth. This paper presents the results of measurements of the spatial distribution of the intensity of nuclear neutron absorption reactions by boron and the intensity of γ-radiation in a water phantom for three similar moderators made of plexiglass, polyethylene, and polyethylene with volumetric bismuth inclusions. The measurements were conducted using a compact sensor with a pair of injection-molded polystyrene scintillators, one of which is enriched with boron. It is shown that the use of polyethylene with volumetric bismuth inclusions, compared to plexiglass or polyethylene, reduces the unwanted γ-radiation dose while maintaining the neutron flux intensity.

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/e538df19-99f2-3939-9334-64f2062f3d75/

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105043188637

U2 - 10.1134/S0020441226700417

DO - 10.1134/S0020441226700417

M3 - Article

VL - 69

SP - 379

EP - 384

JO - Instruments and Experimental Techniques

JF - Instruments and Experimental Techniques

SN - 0020-4412

IS - 2

ER -