A scatter model for fast neutron beams using convolution of diffusion kernels

A new model is proposed to calculate dose distributions in materials irradiated with fast neutron beams. Scattered neutrons are transported away from the point of production within the irradiated material in the forward, lateral and backward directions, while recoil protons are transported in the forward and lateral directions. The calculation of dose distributions, such as for radiotherapy planning, is accomplished by convolving a primary attenuation distribution with a diffusion kernel. The primary attenuation distribution may be quickly calculated for any given set of beam and material conditions as it describes only the magnitude and distribution of first interaction sites. The calculation of energy diffusion kernels is very time consuming but must be calculated only once for a given energy. Energy diffusion distributions shown in this paper have been calculated using a Monte Carlo type of program. To decrease beam calculation time, convolutions are performed using a Fast Fourier Transform technique. (author)