Ionisation chamber containing boron as a neutron detector in medical accelerator fields

Area of Science:

• Nuclear physics
• Radiation detection and measurement

Background:

• Accurate measurement of neutron and photon radiation is essential for radiation protection and dosimetry.
• Current methods for measuring mixed radiation fields can be challenging due to differing sensitivities to neutrons and photons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the relative sensitivity of ionization chambers to neutrons.
• To investigate the feasibility of achieving similar detector responses to both photons and neutrons (H(10) measurements).

Main Methods:

• Utilized the recombination principle in conjunction with ionization chambers containing boron (BF3 gas or B4C coatings).
• Investigated three types of boron-lined ionization chambers.
• Examined the chambers' response as a function of gas pressure and polarizing voltage within paraffin moderators.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the potential to achieve comparable chamber responses to H(10) for both photons and neutrons within a specific energy range.
• The use of boron significantly increased the chamber's relative sensitivity to neutrons.

Conclusions:

• Boron-lined ionization chambers offer a promising approach for improved neutron sensitivity in mixed radiation fields.
• Further research is required to optimize chamber design for broader energy ranges and precise dosimetry.