Neutron and high energy photon fluence estimation in CLINAC using gold activation foils

Abstract

AIM: The thermal neutron, epithermal neutron and high-energy photon fluence were measured in this work around the Varian 21EX 23 MV CLINAC, which is operated in Albairouni hospital in Damascus, Syria. BACKGROUND: Photoneutron measurements around medical CLINAC aim to protect both patients and staff from unwanted radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neutron and photon activation techniques were applied using gold foils. RESULTS: It was found that high-energy photons fluence has practically a constant value in the field size. The thermal and epithermal neutron fluence along ox and oy axes has the same order of magnitude. CONCLUSION: Gold foils have been used successfully to measure neutron flux and high-energy photons simultaneously using activation techniques.