Evaluation and test of the response matrix of a multisphere neutron spectrometer in a wide energy range Part I. Calibration

doi:10.1016/0168-9002(92)90404-R

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Volume 321, Issues 1–2, 15 September 1992, Pages 298-304

https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(92)90404-R Get rights and content

Abstract

A multisphere neutron spectrometer has been developed. It consists of a cylindrical ³He thermal neutron counter and a set of 11 spherical moderators made of polyethylene with diameters ranging from 2 to 15 in. The spectrometer has been calibrated in two thermal and eight monoenergetic neutron beams (8.2 keV−14.8 MeV). The spectrometric system is described, and the results of the calibration are discussed. The thermal and high energy regions are well covered but there is a significant gap at intermediate energies. A comparison of the results with those of similar works is presented. The differences obtained underline the necessity for a proper specific calibration for each multisphere spectometric system.

References (26)

R.L. Bramblett et al.
Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
(1960)
J.W. Leake
Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
(1968)
P.M. Thomas et al.
Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
(1984)
Y. Uwamino et al.
Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
(1985)
ICRP
Publication 60, Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Adopted november 1990
D. Nachtigall et al.
Dose Equivalent Determinations in Neutron Fields by Means of Moderator Techniques
M. Awschalom et al.
Radiat. Prot. Dosim.
(1985)
W.G. Cross et al.
Neutron Spectroscopy
D.E. Hankins
Health Phys.
(1968)

R.E. Maerker et al.

Response functions for Bonner ball neutron detectors

M. Dolias et al.

Response of moderator spheres to monoenergetic neutrons in the range 5 keV to 600 keV

Comm. Eur. Communities, EUR-4791-f

(1972)

J.C. Liu et al.

Radiat. Prot. Dosim.

(1990)

Cited by (19)

Measurement of undesirable neutron spectrum in a 120 MeV linac
2023, Nuclear Engineering and Technology
Photoneutron background spectroscopy observations at linac are essential for directing accelerator shielding and subtracting background signals. Therefore, we constructed a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) system based on an array of BF₃ gas proportional counter tubes. Initially, the response of the BSS system was simulated using the MCNP5 code. Next, the response of the system was calibrated by using neutrons with energies of 2.86 MeV and 14.84 MeV. Then, the system was employed to measure the spectrum of the ²⁴¹Am–Be neutron source, and the results were unfolded by using the Gravel and EM algorithms. Using the validated system, the undesirable neutron spectrum of the 120 MeV electron linac was finally measured and acquired. In addition, it is demonstrated that the equivalent undesirable neutron dose at a distance of 3.2 m from the linac is 19.7 μSv/h. The results measured by the above methods could provide guidance for linac-related research.
Intercomparison of the response of different photon and neutron detectors around a spent fuel cask
2012, Radiation Measurements
Citation Excerpt :
It consists of a miniaturised proportional counter filled with 3He, sensitive to thermal neutrons, and a set of 11 polyethylene spheres of diameters ranging from 2 to 15 inches (5.08–38.1 cm). The full description of the spectrometer, the establishment of its response matrix and the test of its global performance in reference neutron fields are published elsewhere (Aroua et al., 1992). On the basis of computer simulations, calibrations and intercomparisons, the uncertainty of the dose is estimated to ±10–15% (k = 1) for the spectrometer (Buchillier et al., 2007).
An intercomparison of the response of different photon and neutron detectors was performed in several measurement positions around a spent fuel cask (type TN 12/2B) filled with 4 MOX and 8 UO₂ 15 × 15 PWR fuel assemblies at the nuclear power plant Gösgen (KKG) in Switzerland. The instruments used in the study were both active and passive, photon and neutron detectors calibrated either for ambient or personal dose equivalent.
The aim of the measurement campaign was to compare the responses of the radiation instruments to routinely used detectors.
It has been shown that especially the indications of the neutron detectors are strongly dependent on the neutron spectra around the cask due to their different energy responses. However, routinely used active photon and neutron detectors were shown to be reliable instruments.
Overview of recent experimental works on high energy neutron shielding
2004, Progress in Nuclear Energy
Several experiments on high energy neutron shielding have recently been performed using medium to high energy accelerators of energies above 20 MeV. Below 100 MeV, the benchmark experiments have been done using 25 and 35 MeV p-Li quasi-monoenergetic neutrons at the Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University, Japan, 43 and 68 MeV p-Li quasi-monoenergetic neutrons at the Azimuthally Varying Field (AVF) cyclotron facility, TIARA of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). Above 100 MeV, the neutron shielding experiments have been done using 800 MeV protons at ISIS, Rutherford Appleton laboratory (RAL), England, 400 MeV/nucleon carbon ions at the heavy ion medical accelerator facility, HIMAC of National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIBS), Japan, 500 MeV protons at the spallation neutron source facility, KEK spallation neutron source facility (KENS) of High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Japan, 500 MeV protons at the accelerator facility, TRIUMF, Canada, 1.6 to 24 GeV protons at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), U.S.A., 28.7 GeV electrons at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAG), U.S.A., 800 MeV protons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), U.S.A., 120, 205 GeV/c protons and 160 GeV/nucleon lead ions at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland, 230 MeV protons at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, U.S.A., 200 MeV protons at the Orsay Proton Therapy Center, France. In this review paper, the outlines of these deep penetration experiments are summarized together with the neutron detection techniques.
Bonner sphere spectrometers - A critical review
2002, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
The basic characteristics of Bonner sphere spectrometry systems are first described, followed by a review of the different types of system which have been built, and of how their response functions have been determined. Spectrum unfolding and recent developments are covered briefly. The practical considerations for users are emphasised wherever possible, and the advantages, disadvantages, and problems of using this spectrometer are discussed.
Neutron field measurements at the 590 MeV ring cyclotron of the Paul Scherrer Institute
2002, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
A complete characterization of the neutron field was performed at 3 representative areas around the 590 MeV Ring cyclotron of the Paul Scherrer Institute. The neutron spectra were measured with a Bonner spheres system, ²⁰⁹Bi and ²³²Th fission track detectors. Their shapes are very different according to the location; neutron energies up to about 200 MeV were recorded. The dosimetry was performed with various active instruments: 2202D, LB 6411, LINUS, nm 500, nm 500X, HANDI, REM 500. The comparison between the H*(10) values determined by different systems is presented and discussed.
Improved response matrices of Bonner sphere spectrometers with <sup>6</sup>LiI scintillation detector and <sup>3</sup>He proportional counter between 15 and 100 MeV
1995, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A

View all citing articles on Scopus

^☆: This work was supported by the Swiss Nuclear Safety Inspectorate.

¹: Present address: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Batavia, IL 60510, USA.

View full text

Evaluation and test of the response matrix of a multisphere neutron spectrometer in a wide energy range Part I. Calibration☆

Abstract

Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Publication 60, Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Adopted november 1990

Dose Equivalent Determinations in Neutron Fields by Means of Moderator Techniques

Radiat. Prot. Dosim.

Neutron Spectroscopy

Health Phys.

Response functions for Bonner ball neutron detectors

Response of moderator spheres to monoenergetic neutrons in the range 5 keV to 600 keV

Comm. Eur. Communities, EUR-4791-f

Radiat. Prot. Dosim.