Shielding Analysis of a Preclinical Bremsstrahlung X-ray FLASH Radiotherapy System within a Clinical Radiation Therapy Vault.

A preclinical radiotherapy system producing FLASH dose rates with 12 MV bremsstrahlung x rays is being developed at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Because of the high expected workload of 6,800 Gy w -1 at the isocenter, an efficient shielding methodology is needed to protect operators and the public while the preclinical system is operated in a radiation therapy vault designed for 6 MV x rays. In this study, an analysis is performed to assess the shielding of the local treatment head and radiation vault using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA and the empirical methodology given in the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report 151.

Monte Carlo simulation of shielding designs for a cabinet form factor preclinical MV-energy photon FLASH radiotherapy system.

Purpose: A preclinical MV-energy photon FLASH radiotherapy system is being designed at Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Because of the higher energy and dose rate compared to conventional kV-energy photon laboratory-scale irradiators, adequate shielding in a stand-alone cabinet form factor is more challenging to achieve. We present a Monte Carlo simulation of multilayered shielding for a compact self-shielding system without the need for a radiation therapy vault.