MC safe bunker designing for an 18MV linac with nanoparticles included primary barriers and effect of the nanoparticles on the shielding aspects

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to design a safe bunker for an 18MV linac in to configuration; primary barriers made from nanoparticle-containing concrete and pure concrete.

Background

Application of some nanoparticles in the shielding materials has been studied and it was shown that the presence of some nanoparticles improved radiation shielding properties.

Materials and methods

Some percentage of different nanoparticles were modeled by the MCNP5 code of MC in the megavoltage radiotherapy treatment room's primary barriers. Other parts of the designed room, such as secondary barriers and maze door, were modeled as ordinary pure concrete. A safe bunker was designed according to the MC derived spectra at primary and secondary barriers location using a modeled and benchmarked 18MV linac in free air. Then, the thickness of the required shielding materials for the door and also concrete for the walls and primary barriers were calculated separately.

Results

According to the results, required concrete thickness in primary and secondary barriers was reduced by around 0.8% compared to pure concrete application. Additionally, required lead and BPE decreased by 25% and 15%, respectively, due to primary barriers nanoparticles.

Conclusions

It was concluded that application of some nanoparticles in the shielding materials structures in megavoltage radiotherapy can make the shielding effective.