For the development of boron neutron-capture therapy of malignant tumors, a source of epithermal neutrons on the basis of a tandem accelerator with a vacuum insulation and a lithium target was created and launched. With the aim of optimizing the neutron-producing target, various structure materials were irradiated with a proton beam. The results obtained bymeasuring the dose rate and radiation spectrum upon the absorption of 2-MeV protons are presented, and the choice of tantalum for an optimum material of the target substrate was explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]