Calculation of thermal neutron scattering data of MgF2 and its effect on beam shaping assembly for BNCT

  • Jiaqi Hu
  • , Zhaopeng Qiao
  • , Lunhe Fan
  • , Yongqiang Tang
  • , Liangzhi Cao
  • , Tiejun Zu
  • , Qingming He
  • , Zhifeng Li
  • , Sheng Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

MgF2 as a moderator material has been extensively used in the beam shaping assembly (BSA) that plays an important role in the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Regarded as important for applications, the thermal neutron scattering data of MgF2 were calculated, based on the phonon expansion model. The structural properties of MgF2 were researched by the VASP code based on the ab-initio methods. The PHONOPY code was employed to calculate the phonon density of states. Furthermore, the NJOY code was used to calculate the thermal neutron scattering data of MgF2. The calculated inelastic cross sections plus absorption cross sections are in agreement with the available experimental data. The neutron transport in the BSA has been simulated by using a hybrid Monte-Carlo-Deterministic code NECP-MCX. The results indicated that compared with the calculation of the free gas model, the thermal neutron flux and epithermal neutron flux at the BSA exit port calculated by using the thermal neutron scattering data of MgF2 were reduced by 27.7% and 8.2%, respectively.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1280-1286
Number of pages7
JournalNuclear Engineering and Technology
Volume55
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Beam shaping assembly
  • Monte-Carlo method
  • Phonon density of states
  • Thermal neutron scattering data of MgF

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