Comparison of neutron therapy beams produced by 50 MeV deuterons and 65 MeV protons on beryllium

Neutron beams produced by bombarding a 10 cm thick beryllium target with 50 MeV deuterons have been used at Louvain-la-Neuve since nearly 4 years for routine therapeutic applications. At the end of 1981 they were replaced by neutron beams produced by 65 MeV protons on beryllium, mainly in order to improve the beam penetration in tissues. However, production of neutrons from the p→Be reaction implies disadvantages, mainly a lower dose rate and a higher activation level. In order to solve the problem a new target configuration was designed, consisting of a remote handled system which permits the use of 2 different target assemblies. The irradiated target is automatically removed immediately after the irradiation which greatly protects against exposure to the staff. The dosimetric characteristics of the d(50)-Be and p(65)-Be neutron beams are compared. (Auth.)