A new method for determining the neutron response function of "neutron insensitive" dosimeters. Method and...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear physics
• Radiation detection

Background:

• Charged-particle interactions with thick beryllium targets produce complex radiation fields.
• Understanding detector response in mixed neutron-gamma fields is crucial for accurate measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the neutron sensitivity of detectors as a function of energy.
• To differentiate neutron-induced detector responses from gamma-induced responses.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing charged-particle bombardment of beryllium targets to generate neutron and gamma radiation.
• Measuring neutron spectral distributions and detector responses at various angles.
• Employing a computer code for data analysis and sensitivity determination.

Main Results:

• Neutron yield is observed to vary with angle, while a gamma component is isotropic.
• Detector response differences are primarily attributed to neutrons in this radiation field.
• Accurate neutron spectral data and detector response measurements enable energy-dependent sensitivity calculation.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully outlines a method for determining neutron detector sensitivity.
• Computer code analysis, based on spectral distributions and response measurements, is effective.
• This approach is vital for accurate radiation detection in mixed fields.