Estimation of thermal and epithermal neutron flux and gamma dose distribution in a medical cyclotron facility for radiation protection purposes using gold foils and gate 9

Fouad, Abolaban A., Mohammed, Alawi A., Taha, Eslam, Elmoujarkach, Ezzat, Banoqitah, Essam M., Alhawsawi, Abdulsalam M., De Maio, Paolo, Lopopolo, Gaetano, Tolomeo, Anna, Dimiccoli, Vincenzo and Nisbet, Andrew 2021. Estimation of thermal and epithermal neutron flux and gamma dose distribution in a medical cyclotron facility for radiation protection purposes using gold foils and gate 9. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 193 (3-4) , pp. 176-184. 10.1093/rpd/ncab034

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterise the neutron flux generated directly behind targets used in medical cyclotrons. The characterisation process aims at determining the feasibility of using the generated neutrons for research purposes in neutron activation analysis. The study was performed by activating gold foils placed directly behind the cyclotron targets. The thermal and epithermal neutron flux were found to be 4.5E+05 ± 8.78E+04 neutrons cm−2 s−1 and 2.13E+06 ± 8.59E+04 neutrons cm−2 s−1, respectively. The flux value is the same order of magnitude listed in the manual produced by the cyclotron manufacturer. The results are encouraging and show high potential for using the cyclotron facility as a thermal neutron source for research purposes. However, it is important radiation protection procedures be followed to ensure the safety of researchers due to the high gamma dose rate measured directly behind the target at 2.46 Sv/h using an OSL chip during the beam on time.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	1742-3406
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	4 February 2026
Date of Acceptance:	14 February 2021
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2026 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184172

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