The neutron dose equivalent around high energy medical electron linear accelerators

Autor: Poje Marina, Ivković Ana, Jurković Slaven, Žauhar Gordana, Vuković Branko, Radolić Vanja, Miklavčić Igor, Kaliman Zoran, Planinić Josip, Brkić Hrvoje, Faj Dario
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, Vol 29, Iss 3, Pp 207-212 (2014)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1451-3994
DOI: 10.2298/NTRP1403207P
Popis: The measurement of neutron dose equivalent was made in four dual energy linear accelerator rooms. Two of the rooms were reconstructed after decommissioning of 60Co units, so the main limitation was the space. The measurements were performed by a nuclear track etched detectors LR-115 associated with the converter (radiator) that consist of 10B and with the active neutron detector Thermo BIOREM FHT 742. The detectors were set at several locations to evaluate the neutron ambient dose equivalent and/or neutron dose rate to which medical personnel could be exposed. Also, the neutron dose dependence on collimator aperture was analyzed. The obtained neutron dose rates outside the accelerator rooms were several times smaller than the neutron dose rates inside the accelerator rooms. Nevertheless, the measured neutron dose equivalent was not negligible from the aspect of the personal dosimetry with almost 2 mSv a year per person in the areas occupied by staff (conservative estimation). In rooms with 15 MV accelerators, the neutron exposure to the personnel was significantly lower than in the rooms having 18 MV accelerators installed. It was even more pronounced in the room reconstructed after the 60Co decommissioning. This study confirms that shielding from the neutron radiation should be considered when building vaults for high energy linear accelerators, especially when the space constraints exist.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals