A comparison between simulation and experimental results for depth profile of ⁶Li reaction rate in a water phantom of BNCT using a small ⁶Li-based scintillator neutron detector with an optical fiber

BNCT is a radiation therapy using neutrons. For dosimetry in BNCT, it is important to evaluate the thermal neutron distribution in a water phantom irradiated with neutrons used in the therapy. We proposed application of a small ⁶Li-based scintillator neutron detector with an optical fiber into a comparison study between simulation and experimental results in BNCT. In this paper, we compared simulation and experimental results for depth profile of ⁶Li(n,α) reaction rate in a water phantom of BNCT using a developed small ⁶Li-based scintillator neutron detector. The experimental results well agreed with the simulation ones. However, we found that the self-shielding effect in the detector will be significant even for a small LiF/Eu:CaF₂ eutectics scintillator having the mass of 100 μg. We concluded that we have to consider the self-shielding effect in the small ⁶Li-based scintillator neutron detector when comparing simulation and experimental results of the ⁶Li(n,α) reaction rate in a water phantom.