Discovery and discussion of 7Be and another full-energy peak in water from 3D water phantom of a proton therapy system / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss 7Be and a 77.2 keV full-energy peak with short half-life found in the water sample from the 3D water phantom of a proton therapy system. Methods We measured the water sample from the 3D water phantom of a proton therapy system according to Determination of Radionuclides in Water by Gamma Spectrometry (GB/T 16140—2018). Results The activity concentration of 7Be in the water sample was 1.30 × 101 Bq·L−1 on December 24, 2018; 4.3 × 101 Bq·L−1 on March 22, 2019; and 1.41 × 101 Bq·L−1 at the time of sampling on December 19, 2018. On December 24, 2018, the net peak area of the 77.2 keV full-energy peak in the sample was 683 ± 45, and the measurement time was 26123.02 s; on March 22, 2019, the net peak area decreased to the background level of 194 ± 49, and the measurement time was 86400.00 s. Conclusion In the 3D water phantom of the proton therapy system, 7Be can be generated from the spallation reaction between high-energy neutrons and oxygen in water. In addition, we find a full-energy peak at 77.2 keV with short half-life. The activity concentration of 7Be in the water sample is lower than the exemption level, but the activity concentration at sampling may not be the maximum activity concentration in the process of quality control. The inductive radionuclide 7Be produced in the 3D water phantom should be identified and properly evaluated in the assessment of occupational radiation hazards of proton therapy system.