Static multileaf collimator for fast-neutron therapy.

This paper describes a multileaf collimator, designed to obtain irregularly shaped neutron fields, that fits into an existing fixed field-size collimator system. The shape of the desired portal field is obtained by appropriately setting the position of each leaf of the collimator. The collimator consists of 40 polyethylene leaves to produce fields of irregular shape of up to 400 cm2. The leaves are interlaced with grooves to prevent neutron leakage. The measured penumbra defined by the multileaf collimator is similar to that defined by the same length fixed field-size water extended polyester (WEP) collimator. The multileaf collimator has a lower neutron transmission due to its higher hydrogen concentration.