Calibration of neutron-sensitive devices

Abstract

The calibration of a neutron-sensitive device can range from a simple calibration factor at a single energy or energy distribution to a full response characterization over the entire energy range to which the device is sensitive. As the responses of neutron-sensitive devices and the fluence-to-dose-equivalent conversion coefficients can vary with neutron energy and incident angle, both simulation and experiments in standard neutron fields are required. Although several ISO standards present calibration principles in general and detailed discussion on many specific areas, there are certain omissions and limitations that this paper intends to highlight, along with some new recommendations derived from the recent literature, mainly focused on the effective centre, corrections for geometry and neutron scattering, as well as the problem of calibrating in terms of personal dose equivalent.

Calculation of response functions for cylindrical nested neutron spectrometer

“…The response was defined as the number of the 6 Li(n,t) 4 He reaction within sensitive 6 LiI(Eu) crystal volume per unit fluence. This was done by using tally F4 and FM card.…”

“…The calculated response function of the CNNS need to be experimentally validated [4]. However, in the present study, another approach was used.…”

“…In the case of the CNNS, the most important feature of the set of shells is that, for each configuration, the ratio of diameter and height have been optimised to offer a nearly isotropic angular response to the neutron. Similarity to BSS, for the proper use of the CNSS, an accurate determination of the response function is thus of primary importance [4]. The BSS's responses have been widely studied since 1960 and published in the literatures [5] for some common thermal detectors like 6 LiI scintillators or 3 He proportional counters.…”

Simulated workplace neutron fields

“…In almost all cases, the response of radiation protection devices is dependent on neutron energy [7]. Thus, when instruments are used in broad energy fields, they may give more or less 'true' values, according to the neutron fluence energy distribution.…”

Monte Carlo simulation study on the 241Am-Be radionuclide source reference neutron radiation

“…Termly cal i bra tions should be taken out to en sure the per for mances of these in stru ments. Gressier et al [3] ex plained the defi ni tion and tech nol ogy sta tus of cal i bra tion for neu tron mea sure ment in stru ments. At pres ent, all cal i bra tion works of neu tron mea sur ing in stru ments should be carried out in ref er ence to neu tron ra di a tions around the world.…”