CHARACTERIZATION OF FLUORESCENT NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTORS AS CRITICALITY DOSIMETERS II

Area of Science:

• Nuclear physics
• Radiation detection
• Dosimetry

Background:

• Criticality accidents pose significant radiation hazards.
• Accurate and rapid dose assessment is crucial for emergency response.
• Fluorescent nuclear track detectors (FNTDs) show potential for neutron and gamma dosimetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the angular dependence of FNTDs for criticality dosimetry.
• To develop and test a prototype reader for rapid dose assessment.
• To analyze the suitability of FNTDs for criticality excursion accidents.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of power spectrum integral depth profiles from fluorescent images.
• Experimental exposure of FNTDs to a broad spectrum neutron field at various angles.
• MCNPX simulations for validating experimental results.
• Design and testing of a prototype triage reader for quick dose assessment.

Main Results:

• A calibration curve for FNTD angular dependence was determined.
• MCNPX simulations demonstrated good agreement with experimental data.
• A prototype reader was successfully tested for rapid dose assessment.

Conclusions:

• FNTDs can be calibrated for angular dependence in neutron fields.
• A rapid dose assessment method using FNTDs is feasible.
• The study provides insights into the advantages and limitations of FNTDs for criticality accident dosimetry.