Determination of Intensity and Energy Spectrum of Neutrons by Bombardment of Thallium-203 Thick Target and its Copper Substrate with 28.5 MeV Protons

Hajiloo, N; Raisali, Gh; Hamidi, S; Aslani, Gh

Determination of Intensity and Energy Spectrum of Neutrons by Bombardment of Thallium-203 Thick Target and its Copper Substrate with 28.5 MeV Protons

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

N Hajiloo

Gh Raisali

S Hamidi

Gh Aslani

Abstract

In this research we have determined neutrons spectrum and the intensity that produced from thallium target bombardment. We have applied SRIM and ALICE computer codes to thallium target and its copper substrate for 145 mA of 28.5 MeV incident proton beam from cyclotron Cyclone30. Because of the energy degradation of protons while passing through the thallium target and its copper substrate, the average energy of protons in different depths has been calculated by using SRIM computer code. Then, by applying ALICE computer code for each sub-layer, the neutron production cross sections and their energy spectrum have been calculated to determine the total neutron intensity and spectrum. Using the calculated neutron intensity of 1.22´10¹³ n/s as the source, the equivalent dose rate at the distance 6 meters from the target has been calculated by MCNP computer code and the result has been compared with the measured value. The ²⁰¹Pb activity has also been calculated as 13.5 Curies. The measured ²⁰¹Pb activity by Curie meter CAPINTEC CRC-712 is 13.1 Ci which is in reasonable agreement with the calculated value, bearing in mind the uncertainties in the proposed models and the measurements.

Highlights

1. S.M. Qaim, R. Weinreich, H. Ollig, “Production of 201Tl and 203Pb via proton induced nuclear reactions on natural thallium,” International Journal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes. Vol. 30, 85-95 (1978).

2. A.I. Dityuk, Y.N. Shubin, “Model calculations and optimization method in evaluation of nuclear data for medical radioisotope production,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2, 1306-1309 (2002).

3. F. Tarkanyi and S. Takacs, “Status of the database for production of medical radioisotopes of 103Pd, 123,124I, 201Tl by using Rh, Te and Tl targets,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2, 1318-1321 (2002).

4. J.F. Ziegler and J.P. Biersack, “SRIM 2003. 20,” http://www.SRIM.org.

5. M. Blann, J. Bisplinghoff, “Code ALICE/Livermore 82,” Report UCID-19614, LawrenceLivermore National Laboratory, CA (1982).

6. S.A. Durrani, R.K. Bull, “SolidState Nuclear Track Detection,” Pergamon Books Ltd (1987).

7. J.F. Briesmeister, editor, “MCNP-4C A general Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code System-Version 4C,” Los Alamos National Laboratory, LA-13709-M (2000).

8. EG&G Berthold, “Operating Manual of Neutron Probe LB6411,” Id. No. 1-20188-82042 BA2 Rev. No. 01 (1996).

9. ICRU, “Radiation Quantities and units,” ICRU Report 33 (1980).

10. ICRP Publication 74, “Conversion coefficients for use in radiological protection against external radiation,” Pergamon (1995).

11. S.M. Qaim and T. Tarkanyi, “Charged-particle cross section database for medical radioisotope production,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2 (2002).

Keywords

Thallium 203 Target

Proton Beams

Intensity

Energy Spectrum

Cross Sections

Computer Codes

1. S.M. Qaim, R. Weinreich, H. Ollig, “Production of 201Tl and 203Pb via proton induced nuclear reactions on natural thallium,” International Journal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes. Vol. 30, 85-95 (1978).

2. A.I. Dityuk, Y.N. Shubin, “Model calculations and optimization method in evaluation of nuclear data for medical radioisotope production,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2, 1306-1309 (2002).

3. F. Tarkanyi and S. Takacs, “Status of the database for production of medical radioisotopes of 103Pd, 123,124I, 201Tl by using Rh, Te and Tl targets,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2, 1318-1321 (2002).

4. J.F. Ziegler and J.P. Biersack, “SRIM 2003. 20,” http://www.SRIM.org.

5. M. Blann, J. Bisplinghoff, “Code ALICE/Livermore 82,” Report UCID-19614, LawrenceLivermore National Laboratory, CA (1982).

6. S.A. Durrani, R.K. Bull, “SolidState Nuclear Track Detection,” Pergamon Books Ltd (1987).

7. J.F. Briesmeister, editor, “MCNP-4C A general Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code System-Version 4C,” Los Alamos National Laboratory, LA-13709-M (2000).

8. EG&G Berthold, “Operating Manual of Neutron Probe LB6411,” Id. No. 1-20188-82042 BA2 Rev. No. 01 (1996).

9. ICRU, “Radiation Quantities and units,” ICRU Report 33 (1980).

10. ICRP Publication 74, “Conversion coefficients for use in radiological protection against external radiation,” Pergamon (1995).

11. S.M. Qaim and T. Tarkanyi, “Charged-particle cross section database for medical radioisotope production,” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Supplement 2 (2002).