Bremsstrahlung and Photoneutron Spectra from a Tungsten Target of 5–90 MeV Electron Accelerator

Abstract

The radiation conditions in the rooms of a linear accelerator are determined by the photon radiation arising on a target upon stopping of accelerated electrons. For electron energy above 10 MeV, photoneutrons whose contribution to the dose behind the shielding can be signifi cant are produced when the bremsstrahlung photons interact with the structures of the setup. To calculate the required thickness of biological shielding, it is necessary to know the bremsstrahlung spectrum emitted by the accelerator target at different angles with maximum yield. For electron energy above 5 MeV, the maximum yield of photons obtains from a tungsten target of optimal thickness. For these conditions, the bremsstrahlung and photoneutron spectra from a tungsten target are obtained for electron energies 5–90 MeV. Estimates of the photon and photoneutron doses emanating from the target are presented.