Activities conducted under the Fast Neutron Research Project at the Physics Department with cooperation from several local and international agencies during the past year have been proceeding smoothly and can be summarized as follows:
1) The Ion Beam Technology Building commenced operations on 20 September, 1997. This building will be used specifically for research and teaching related to various types of production and acceleration of charged particles for use in material modifications. It will not be used for other research work related to gamma rays and neutrons which are separated in the former neutron building.
2) Construction of the small scale multicusp ion source on test bench is now complete and is currently undergoing trials to control the condition of plasma in helium. Preliminary trials have been very satisfactory. The combined properties of this type of ion source are better than the RF ion source currently in popular use. The success of this project will introduce new and interesting concepts in improving the capability of neutron accelerators.
3) The Fast Neutron Building is running a joint project with the Department of Radiation, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University on the use of neutron in the treatment of cancer. At present a source for the production of 200 microgram Callfornium-252 or Cf-252 neutron rays has been installed at the Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital. However, to ensure correct, safe and efficient use of this type of neutron with patients, it is necessary to have a good knowledge on the amount of gamma and neutron being emitted to various points from the source. Work is still at the stage of developing methods for measuring the amount of rays with greater accuracy. In this regard, various types of instruments for measuring rays are being used such as the GM counter for measuring the amount of gamma rays or for meausing the amount of combined rays with the 0.1 cc tissue equivalent ionization chamber as well as the Thermoluminescent Dosemeter (TLD) type 6LiF and 7LiF for measuring the dispersion of thermal neutrons. Findings of the measurments will be confirmed by using the results of calculations from the MCNP computer programme which is well known and accepted world wide.
4) Design of the 400 keV Ion Implanter is completed. The new ion implanter which uses the DANFYSIK 910 ion manufactured by Danfysik Co., Denmark, is capable to producing ion gases and ion from all metals in the element chart. It is anticipated that the new ion implanter will be completed in 1999 enabling Chiang Mai University to broaden its research in optoelectronic and semiconductor.
