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Kielly M, Caracciolo A, Chacon A, Vohradsky J, Di Vita D, Hamato A, Tashima H, Franklin DR, Yamaya T, Rosenfeld A, Carminati M, Fiorini C, Guatelli S, Safavi-Naeini M. First experimental demonstration of real-time neutron capture discrimination in helium and carbon ion therapy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2601. [PMID: 38297114 PMCID: PMC10831067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This work provides the first experimental proof of an increased neutron capture photon signal following the introduction of boron to a PMMA phantom during helium and carbon ion therapies in Neutron Capture Enhanced Particle Therapy (NCEPT). NCEPT leverages [Formula: see text]B neutron capture, leading to the emission of detectable 478 keV photons. Experiments were performed at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, Japan, with two Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) targets, one bearing a boron insert. The BeNEdiCTE gamma-ray detector measured an increase in the 478 keV signal of 45 ± 7% and 26 ± 2% for carbon and helium ion irradiation, respectively. Our Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation model, developed to investigate photon origins, found less than 30% of detected photons originated from the insert, while boron in the detector's circuit boards contributed over 65%. Further, the model investigated detector sensitivity, establishing its capability to record a 10% increase in 478 keV photon detection at a target [Formula: see text]B concentration of 500 ppm using spectral windowing alone, and 25% when combined with temporal windowing. The linear response extended to concentrations up to 20,000 ppm. The increase in the signal in all evaluated cases confirm the potential of the proposed detector design for neutron capture quantification in NCEPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Kielly
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Australia
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Anita Caracciolo
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrew Chacon
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Australia
| | - James Vohradsky
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Davide Di Vita
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Akram Hamato
- Imaging Physics Group, Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tashima
- Imaging Physics Group, Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daniel R Franklin
- School of Electrical and Data Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Taiga Yamaya
- Imaging Physics Group, Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Marco Carminati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Fiorini
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Guatelli
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Mitra Safavi-Naeini
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Australia.
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Caracciolo A, Ferri T, Borghi G, Carminati M, Protti N, Altieri S, Fiorini C. A compact scintillator-based detector with collimator and shielding for dose monitoring in boron neutron capture therapy. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024; 29:100556. [PMID: 38405430 PMCID: PMC10891326 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2024.100556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Boron neutron capture therapy exploits 10B(n,α )7Li reactions for targeted tumor destruction. In this work, we aimed at developing a dose monitoring system based on the detection of 478 keV gamma rays emitted by the reactions, which is very challenging due to the severe background present. We investigated a compact gamma-ray detector with a pinhole collimator and shielding housing. Experimental nuclear reactor measurements involved varying boron concentrations and artificial shifts of the sources. The system successfully resolved the 478 keV photopeak and detected 1 cm lateral displacements, confirming its suitability for precise boron dose monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Caracciolo
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione and Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Tommaso Ferri
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione and Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Giacomo Borghi
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione and Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Marco Carminati
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione and Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Protti
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Saverio Altieri
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Carlo Fiorini
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione and Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
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Provenzano C, Marra M, Caricato AP, Finocchiaro P, Amaducci S, Longhitano F, Martino M, Poma GE, Quarta G. Development of a High-Efficiency Device for Thermal Neutron Detection Using a Sandwich of Two High-Purity 10B Enriched Layers. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:9831. [PMID: 38139677 PMCID: PMC10748251 DOI: 10.3390/s23249831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The shortage of 3He, a crucial element widely used as a neutron converter in neutron detection applications, has sparked significant research efforts aimed at finding alternative materials, developing appropriate deposition methods, and exploring new detector architectures. This issue has required the exploration of novel approaches to address the challenges faced in neutron detection. Among the available conversion materials, 10B has emerged as one of the most promising choices due to its high neutron-capture cross-section and relatively high Q value. In our previous papers, we delved into the possibility of depositing neutron conversion layers based on 10B using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). We investigated and evaluated the performance of these layers based on various factors, including deposition conditions, substrate properties, and film thickness. Moreover, we successfully developed and tested a device that employed a single conversion layer coupled with a silicon particle detector. In this current study, we present the development of a new device that showcases improved performance in terms of efficiency, sensitivity, and discrimination against γ background signals. The background signals can arise from the environment or be associated with the neutron field. To achieve these advancements, we considered a new detection geometry that incorporates the simultaneous use of two 10B conversion layers, each with a thickness of 1.5 μm, along with two solid-state silicon detectors. The primary objective of this design was to enhance the overall detection efficiency when compared to the single-layer geometry. By employing this novel setup, our results demonstrate a significant enhancement in the device's performance when exposed to a neutron flux from an Am-Be neutron source, emitting a flux of approximately 2.2 × 106 neutrons per second. Furthermore, we established a noteworthy agreement between the experimental data obtained and the simulation results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Provenzano
- Department of Engineering of Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (A.P.C.); (G.Q.)
| | - Marcella Marra
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (A.P.C.); (G.Q.)
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Anna Paola Caricato
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (A.P.C.); (G.Q.)
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Paolo Finocchiaro
- INFN—Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.A.); (G.E.P.)
| | - Simone Amaducci
- INFN—Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.A.); (G.E.P.)
| | - Fabio Longhitano
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN)—Sezione di Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Martino
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Elio Poma
- INFN—Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.A.); (G.E.P.)
| | - Gianluca Quarta
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.M.); (A.P.C.); (G.Q.)
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
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Manabe S, Harano H, Nishiyama J. Proof-of-concept study on a water phantom-based neutron spectrometer: Experimental test with 252Cf and 241Am-Be sources. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 200:110952. [PMID: 37523864 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising cancer treatment that uses energetic ions released from 10B(n, α)7Li reactions. Accurate assessment of neutron energy spectra is important for simulation-based evaluation of neutron doses during BNCT. In this study, a proof-of-concept study was conducted for a neutron spectrometry technique that involves the use of a water phantom, which is commonly used for quality assurance in BNCT, as a moderator. The technique involves applying unfolding to the count rate distribution of the thermal neutron counter measured within the phantom to derive the energy spectrum. We performed experiments using a spherical 3He proportional counter in neutron fields generated by 252Cf and 241Am-Be sources. The results demonstrated that the spectrometer reasonably reproduced neutron spectra and showed the potential of using a water phantom as a moderator for such a technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiya Manabe
- National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan.
| | - Hideki Harano
- National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan.
| | - Jun Nishiyama
- Department of Nuclear Safety Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tokyo City University, 1-28-1, Tamazutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan.
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