Measurements of H*(10) in reference neutron fields using Bonner sphere spectrometry and LET spectrometry

CERN Document Server

Golnik, N; Králik, M

2002-01-01

A Bonner sphere spectrometer and the REM-2 recombination chamber were used for inter-comparison measurements of the neutron component of ambient dose equivalent, H sub n *(10) in reference neutron fields. The sup 2 sup 4 sup 1 Am-Be and sup 2 sup 5 sup 2 Cf neutron sources were exposed either free-in-air or placed in iron or paraffin filters. The REM-2 recombination chamber was used as a LET spectrometer. The agreement of H sub n *(10) values measured with both the methods was within experimental uncertainties of few percent. The determined neutron spectra were used for calculations of the REM-2 chamber response to H*(10).

Reconstruction of neutron spectra using neural networks starting from the Bonner spheres spectrometric system; Reconstruccion de espectros de neutrones usando redes neuronales a partir del sistema espectrometrico de esferas de Bonner

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J.M.; Martinez B, M.R.; Arteaga A, T.; Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2005-07-01

The artificial neural networks (RN) have been used successfully to solve a wide variety of problems. However to determine an appropriate set of values of the structural parameters and of learning of these, it continues being even a difficult task. Contrary to previous works, here a set of neural networks is designed to reconstruct neutron spectra starting from the counting rates coming from the detectors of the Bonner spheres system, using a systematic and experimental strategy for the robust design of multilayer neural networks of the feed forward type of inverse propagation. The robust design is formulated as a design problem of Taguchi parameters. It was selected a set of 53 neutron spectra, compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the counting rates were calculated that would take place in a Bonner spheres system, the set was arranged according to the wave form of those spectra. With these data and applying the Taguchi methodology to determine the best parameters of the network topology, it was trained and it proved the same one with the spectra. (Author)

A Bonner Sphere Spectrometer with extended response matrix

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Birattari, C. [University of Milan, Department of Physics, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan (Italy); Dimovasili, E.; Mitaroff, A. [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland); Silari, M., E-mail: marco.silari@cern.c [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland)

2010-08-21

This paper describes the design, calibration and applications at high-energy accelerators of an extended-range Bonner Sphere neutron Spectrometer (BSS). The BSS was designed by the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, investigating several combinations of materials and diameters of the moderators for the high-energy channels. The system was calibrated at PTB in Braunschweig, Germany, using monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 144 keV-19 MeV. It was subsequently tested with Am-Be source neutrons and in the simulated workplace neutron field at CERF (the CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility). Since 2002, it has been employed for neutron spectral measurements around CERN accelerators.

A Bonner Sphere Spectrometer with extended response matrix

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Birattari, C.; Dimovasili, E.; Mitaroff, A.; Silari, M.

2010-01-01

This paper describes the design, calibration and applications at high-energy accelerators of an extended-range Bonner Sphere neutron Spectrometer (BSS). The BSS was designed by the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, investigating several combinations of materials and diameters of the moderators for the high-energy channels. The system was calibrated at PTB in Braunschweig, Germany, using monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 144 keV-19 MeV. It was subsequently tested with Am-Be source neutrons and in the simulated workplace neutron field at CERF (the CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility). Since 2002, it has been employed for neutron spectral measurements around CERN accelerators.

A Bonner Sphere Spectrometer with extended response matrix

Science.gov (United States)

Birattari, C.; Dimovasili, E.; Mitaroff, A.; Silari, M.

2010-08-01

This paper describes the design, calibration and applications at high-energy accelerators of an extended-range Bonner Sphere neutron Spectrometer (BSS). The BSS was designed by the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, investigating several combinations of materials and diameters of the moderators for the high-energy channels. The system was calibrated at PTB in Braunschweig, Germany, using monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 144 keV-19 MeV. It was subsequently tested with Am-Be source neutrons and in the simulated workplace neutron field at CERF (the CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility). Since 2002, it has been employed for neutron spectral measurements around CERN accelerators.

The response of a Bonner Sphere spectrometer to charged hadrons

OpenAIRE

Agosteo, S; Dimovasili, E; Fassò, A; Silari, M

2004-01-01

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSSs) are employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry since many years. Recent developments have seen the addition to a conventional BSS of one or more detectors (moderator plus thermal neutron counter) specifically designed to improve the overall response of the spectrometer to neutrons above 10 MeV. These additional detectors employ a shell of material with a high mass number (such as lead) within the polyethylene moderator, in order to slow down high-energy ...

Neutron reference spectra measurements with the Bonner multi-spheres spectrometer; Medidas de espectros de referencia de neutrons com o espectrometro de multiesferas de Bonner

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lemos Junior, Roberto Mendonca de

2004-07-01

This paper aims to define a procedure to use the Bonner Multisphere Spectrometer with a {sup 6}LiI(Eu) detector in order to determine of neutron spectra. It was measured {sup 238}PuBe spectra and same of reference ({sup 241}AmBe, {sup 252}Cf e {sup 252}Cf+D{sub 2}O) published in ISO 8529-1 (2001) Norm. The data were processed by a computer program (BUNKI), which presents the results in neutrons energy fluency. Each input parameter of the program was studied in order to establish their influence in the adjustment result. The environment dose equivalent rate obtained placing the detector 1 m from the {sup 241}AmBe source was 122 {+-} 4 {mu}Sv/h with 7% of uncertainty and 95% of confidence level. The procedure established in this work was tested with the {sup 238}PuBe spectrum, obtaining an environment dose equivalent rate of 286 {+-} 9 {mu}Sv/h, 8% lower than the value measured experimentally used as reference. Through this procedure will be possible to measure neutron spectra in different work places where neutrons sources are used. Knowing these spectra, it will be possible to evaluate which area monitors, are more suitable, as well as, to study better the response of individual neutron monitors, as for instance, to obtain a conversion coefficient more appropriate to the albedo dosimeter used in different work places. As the measurements need a long time to be accomplished, the work optimization is fundamental to reduce the exposing time of the Bonner spectrometer operator. For this reason, an important parameter examined in this paper was the possibility of reducing the number of spheres used during the measurement without changing the final result. Considering the radiation protection standards, this parameter has a huge importance when the measurements are performed in work places where the neutron fluency and gamma rate offer risks to the operator's health, as for instance, in nuclear centrals. Studying this parameter, it was possible to conclude that

A Bonner Sphere Spectrometer with extended response matrix

CERN Document Server

Silari, M; Dimovasili, E; Birattari, C

2010-01-01

This paper describes the design, calibration and applications at high-energy accelerators of an extended-range Bonner Sphere neutron Spectrometer (BSS). The BSS was designed by the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, investigating several combinations of materials and diameters of the moderators for the high-energy channels. The system was calibrated at PTB in Braunschweig, Germany, using monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 144 keV-19 MeV. It was subsequently tested with Am-Be source neutrons and in the simulated workplace neutron field at CERF (the CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility). Since 2002, it has been employed for neutron spectral measurements around CERN accelerators. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NEWSPEC: A computer code to unfold neutron spectra from Bonner sphere data

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lemley, E.C.; West, L.

1996-01-01

A new computer code, NEWSPEC, is in development at the University of Arkansas. The NEWSPEC code allows a user to unfold, fold, rebin, display, and manipulate neutron spectra as applied to Bonner sphere measurements. The SPUNIT unfolding algorithm, a new rebinning algorithm, and the graphical capabilities of Microsoft (MS) Windows and MS Excel are utilized to perform these operations. The computer platform for NEWSPEC is a personal computer (PC) running MS Windows 3.x or Win95, while the code is written in MS Visual Basic (VB) and MS VB for Applications (VBA) under Excel. One of the most useful attributes of the NEWSPEC software is the link to Excel allowing additional manipulation of program output or creation of program input

Design, calibration and tests of an extended-range Bonner sphere spectrometer

CERN Document Server

Mitaroff, Angela; Silari, Marco

2001-01-01

Stray radiation fields outside the shielding of hadron accelerators are of complex nature. They consist of a multiplicity of radiation components (neutrons, photons, electrons, pions, muons, ...) which extend over a wide range of energies. Since the dose equivalent in these mixed fields is mainly due to neutrons, neutron dosimetry is a particularly important task. The neutron energy in these fields ranges from thermal up to several hundreds of MeV, thus making dosimetry difficult. A well known instrument for measuring neutron energy distributions from thermal energies up to about E=10 MeV is the Bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS). It consists of a set of moderating spheres of different radii made of polyethylene, with a thermal neutron counter in the centre. Each detector (sphere plus counter) has a maximum response at a certain energy value depending on its size, but the overall response of the conventional BSS drops sharply between E=10-20 MeV. This thesis focuses on the development, the calibration and tests...

Application of a Bonner sphere spectrometer for determination of the energy spectra of neutrons generated by ≈1 MJ plasma focus

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Králík, M.; Krása, Josef; Velyhan, Andriy; Scholz, M.; Ivanova-Stanik, I.M.; Bienkowska, B.; Miklaszewski, R.; Schmidt, H.; Řezáč, K.; Klír, D.; Kravárik, J.; Kubeš, P.

2010-01-01

Roč. 81, č. 11 (2010), 113503/1-113503/5 ISSN 0034-6748 R&D Projects: GA MŠk LA08024 Grant - others:FP-6 EU(XE) RITA-CT2006-26095 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100523 Keywords : plasma focus * fusion DD neutrons * Bonner sphere spectrometer * energy spectra of scattered neutrons * unfolded and calculated spectra Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics Impact factor: 1.598, year: 2010

Monte Carlo calculations and experimental results of Bonner spheres systems with a new cylindrical Helium-3 proportional counter

CERN Document Server

Müller, H; Bouassoule, T; Fernández, F; Pochat, J L; Tomas, M; Van Ryckeghem, L

2002-01-01

The experimental results on neutron energy spectra, integral fluences and equivalent dose measurements performed by means of a Bonner sphere system placed inside the containment building of the Vandellos II Nuclear Power Plant (Tarragona, Spain) are presented. The equivalent dose results obtained with this system are compared to those measured with different neutron area detectors (Berthold, Dineutron, Harwell). A realistic geometry model of the Bonner sphere system with a new cylindrical counter type 'F' (0,5NH1/1KI--Eurisys Mesures) and with a set of eight polyethylene moderating spheres is described in detail. The response function in fluence of this new device, to mono-energetic neutrons from thermal energy to 20 MeV, is calculated by the MCNP-4B code for each moderator sphere. The system has been calibrated at IPSN Cadarache facility for ISO Am-Be calibrated source and thermal neutron field, then the response functions were confirmed by measurements at PTB (Germany) for ISO recommended energies of mono-e...

Comparison of Bonner sphere responses calculated by different Monte Carlo codes at energies between 1 MeV and 1 GeV – Potential impact on neutron dosimetry at energies higher than 20 MeV

CERN Document Server

Rühm, W; Pioch, C; Agosteo, S; Endo, A; Ferrarini, M; Rakhno, I; Rollet, S; Satoh, D; Vincke, H

2014-01-01

Bonner Spheres Spectrometry in its high-energy extended version is an established method to quantify neutrons at a wide energy range from several meV up to more than 1 GeV. In order to allow for quantitative measurements, the responses of the various spheres used in a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) are usually simulated by Monte Carlo (MC) codes over the neutron energy range of interest. Because above 20 MeV experimental cross section data are scarce, intra-nuclear cascade (INC) and evaporation models are applied in these MC codes. It was suspected that this lack of data above 20 MeV may translate to differences in simulated BSS response functions depending on the MC code and nuclear models used, which in turn may add to the uncertainty involved in Bonner Sphere Spectrometry, in particular for neutron energies above 20 MeV. In order to investigate this issue in a systematic way, EURADOS (European Radiation Dosimetry Group) initiated an exercise where six groups having experience in neutron transport calcula...

Intercomparison of radiation protection devices in a high-energy stray neutron field, Part II: Bonner sphere spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wiegel, B.; Agosteo, S.; Bedogni, R.; Caresana, M.; Esposito, A.; Fehrenbacher, G.; Ferrarini, M.; Hohmann, E.; Hranitzky, C.; Kasper, A.; Khurana, S.; Mares, V.; Reginatto, M.; Rollet, S.; Ruehm, W.; Schardt, D.; Silari, M.; Simmer, G.; Weitzenegger, E.

2009-01-01

The European Commission has funded within its 6th Framework Programme a three-year project (2005-2007) called CONRAD, COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry. A major task of the CONRAD Work Package 'complex mixed radiation fields at workplaces' was to organise a benchmark exercise in a workplace field at a high-energy particle accelerator where neutrons are the dominant radiation component. The CONRAD benchmark exercise took place at the Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung mbH (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany in July 2006. In this paper, the results of the spectrometry using four extended -range Bonner sphere spectrometers of four different institutes are reported. Outside Cave A the neutron spectra were measured with three spectrometers at six selected positions and ambient dose equivalent values were derived for use in the intercomparison with other area monitors and dosemeters. At a common position all three spectrometers were used to allow a direct comparison of their results which acts as an internal quality assurance. The comparison of the neutron spectra measured by the different groups shows very good agreement. A detailed analysis presents some differences between the shapes of the spectra and possible sources of these differences are discussed. However, the ability of Bonner sphere spectrometers to provide reliable integral quantities like fluence and ambient dose equivalent is well demonstrated in this exercise. The fluence and dose results derived by the three groups agree very well within the given uncertainties, not only with respect to the total energy region present in this environment but also for selected energy regions which contribute in certain strength to the total values. In addition to the positions outside Cave A one spectrometer was used to measure the neutron spectrum at one position in the entry maze of Cave A. In this case a comparison was possible to earlier measurements.

BUMS--Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple an HTML based multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package

CERN Document Server

Sweezy, J; Veinot, K

2002-01-01

A new multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package, Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple (BUMS) has been developed that uses an HTML interface to simplify data input and code execution for the novice and the advanced user. This new unfolding package combines the unfolding algorithms contained in other popular unfolding codes under one easy to use interface. The interface makes use of web browsing software to provide a graphical user interface to the unfolding algorithms. BUMS integrates the SPUNIT, BON, MAXIET, and SAND-II unfolding algorithms into a single package. This package also includes a library of 14 response matrices, 58 starting spectra, and 24 dose and detector responses. BUMS has several improvements beyond the addition of unfolding algorithms. It has the ability to search for the most appropriate starting spectra. Also, plots of the unfolded neutron spectra are automatically generated. The BUMS package runs via a web server and may be accessed by any computer with access to the Internet at h...

BUMS--Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple: an HTML based multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sweezy, Jeremy; Hertel, Nolan; Veinot, Ken

2002-01-01

A new multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package, Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple (BUMS) has been developed that uses an HTML interface to simplify data input and code execution for the novice and the advanced user. This new unfolding package combines the unfolding algorithms contained in other popular unfolding codes under one easy to use interface. The interface makes use of web browsing software to provide a graphical user interface to the unfolding algorithms. BUMS integrates the SPUNIT, BON, MAXIET, and SAND-II unfolding algorithms into a single package. This package also includes a library of 14 response matrices, 58 starting spectra, and 24 dose and detector responses. BUMS has several improvements beyond the addition of unfolding algorithms. It has the ability to search for the most appropriate starting spectra. Also, plots of the unfolded neutron spectra are automatically generated. The BUMS package runs via a web server and may be accessed by any computer with access to the Internet at http://nukeisit.gatech.edu/bums

Calculations of the response functions of Bonner spheres with a spherical 3He proportional counter using a realistic detector model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wiegel, B.; Alevra, A.V.; Siebert, B.R.L.

1994-11-01

A realistic geometry model of a Bonner sphere system with a spherical 3 He-filled proportional counter and 12 polyethylene moderating spheres with diameters ranging from 7,62 cm (3'') to 45,72 cm (18'') is introduced. The MCNP Monte Carlo computer code is used to calculate the responses of this Bonner sphere system to monoenergetic neutrons in the energy range between 1 meV to 20 MeV. The relative uncertainties of the responses due to the Monte Carlo calculations are less than 1% for spheres up to 30,48 cm (12'') in diameter and less than 2% for the 15'' and 18'' spheres. Resonances in the carbon cross section are seen as significant structures in the response functions. Additional calculations were made to study the influence of the 3 He number density and the polyethylene mass density on the response as well as the angular dependence of the Bonner sphere system. The calculated responses can be adjusted to a large set of calibration measurements with only a single fit factor common to all sphere diameters and energies. (orig.) [de

First test of SP{sup 2}: A novel active neutron spectrometer condensing the functionality of Bonner spheres in a single moderator

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R. [INFN-LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Bortot, D. [Politecnico di Milano—Dipartimento di Energia, Via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milano (Italy); INFN—sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Buonomo, B.; Esposito, A. [INFN-LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Gómez-Ros, J.M. [INFN-LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Introini, M.V.; Lorenzoli, M.; Pola, A. [Politecnico di Milano—Dipartimento di Energia, Via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milano (Italy); INFN—sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Sacco, D. [INFN-LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); INAIL—DPIA Via di Fontana Candida n.1, 00040 Monteporzio C. (Italy)

2014-12-11

The NESCOFI@BTF (2011–2013) international collaboration was established to develop realtime neutron spectrometers to simultaneously cover all energy components of neutron fields, from thermal up to hundreds MeV. This communication concerns a new spherical spectrometer, called SP^2, which condenses the functionality of an Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (ERBSS) into a single moderator embedding multiple active thermal neutron detectors. The possibility of achieving the complete spectrometric information in a single exposure constitutes a great advantage compared to the ERBSS. The first experimental test of the instrument, performed with a reference 241Am–Be source in different irradiation geometries, is described. The agreement between observed and simulated response is satisfactory for all tested geometries.

Photoneutron spectrum measured with Bonner Spheres in Planetary method mode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Benites R, J. [Centro Estatal de Cancerologia de Nayarit, Servicio de Seguridad Radiologica, Calz. de la Cruz 118 Sur, 63000 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico); Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Apdo. Postal 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico); Velazquez F, J., E-mail: jlbenitesr@prodigy.net.mx [Universidad Autonoma de Nayarit, Posgrado en Ciencias Biologico Agropecuarias, Carretera Tepic-Compostela Km 9, 63780 Jalisco-Nayarit (Mexico)

2012-10-15

We measured the spectrum of photoneutrons at 100 cm isocenter linear accelerator (Linac) Varian ix operating at 15 MV Bremsstrahlung mode. In this process was used a radiation field of 20 x 20 cm{sup 2} at a depth of 5 cm in a solid water phantom with dimensions of 30 x 30 x 15 cm{sup 3}. The measurement was performed with a system using it Bonner Spheres spectrometric method Planetary mode. As neutron detector of the spectrometer is used thermoluminescent dosimeters pairs of type 600 and 700. (Author)

Photoneutron spectrum measured with Bonner Spheres in Planetary method mode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Benites R, J.; Vega C, H. R.; Velazquez F, J.

2012-10-01

We measured the spectrum of photoneutrons at 100 cm isocenter linear accelerator (Linac) Varian ix operating at 15 MV Bremsstrahlung mode. In this process was used a radiation field of 20 x 20 cm 2 at a depth of 5 cm in a solid water phantom with dimensions of 30 x 30 x 15 cm 3 . The measurement was performed with a system using it Bonner Spheres spectrometric method Planetary mode. As neutron detector of the spectrometer is used thermoluminescent dosimeters pairs of type 600 and 700. (Author)

Iterative code for the reconstruction of the neutrons spectrum using the Bonner spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reyes H, A.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.

2012-10-01

The neutrons are the particles more difficult of detecting for their intrinsic nature. The absence of the neutrons charge makes that an interaction exists with the matter in a different way. The term radiation spectrometry can use to describe the measurement of the intensity of a radiation field with regard to the energy. The intensity distribution with relationship to the energy is commonly known as spectrum. A method to know the neutrons spectrum in the radiation fields to those that people are exposed is the use of the known system as spectrometry system of Bonner spheres, being the more used for the purposes of the radiological protection. The current interest in the electrons spectrometry has stimulated the development of several procedures to carry out the reconstruction of the spectra. During the last decades new codes have been developed such as BUNKIUT, Bums, Fruit, UMG, etc., however, these methods still present several inconveniences as the complexity in their use, the necessity of an expert user and a very near initial spectrum to the spectrum that is wanted to obtain. To solve the mentioned problems it was development the program NSDUAZ (Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry from Autonomous University of Zacatecas). The objective of the present work is to prove and to validate the code before mentioned making an analysis of likeness and differences and of advantages and disadvantages with relationship to the codes used at the present time. (Author)

Response matrix calculation of a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer using ENDF/B-VII libraries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Morató, Sergio; Juste, Belén; Miró, Rafael; Verdú, Gumersindo [Instituto de Seguridad Industrial, Radiofísica y Medioambiental (ISIRYM), Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain); Guardia, Vicent, E-mail: bejusvi@iqn.upv.es [GD Energy Services, Valencia (Spain). Grupo dominguis

2017-07-01

The present work is focused on the reconstruction of a neutron spectra using a multisphere spectrometer also called Bonner Spheres System (BSS). To that, the determination of the response detector curves is necessary therefore we have obtained the response matrix of a neutron detector by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation with MCNP6 where the use of unstructured mesh geometries is introduced as a novelty. The aim of these curves was to study the theoretical response of a widespread neutron spectrometer exposed to neutron radiation. A neutron detector device has been used in this work which is formed by a multispheres spectrometer (BSS) that uses 6 high density polyethylene spheres with different diameters. The BSS consists of a set of 0.95 g/cm{sup 3} high density polyethylene spheres. The detector is composed of a lithium iodide 6LiI cylindrical scintillator crystal 4mm x 4mm size LUDLUM Model 42 coupled to a photomultiplier tube. Thermal tables are required to include polyethylene cross section in the simulation. These data are essential to get correct and accurate results in problems involving neutron thermalization. Nowadays available literature present the response matrix calculated with ENDF.B.V cross section libraries (V.Mares et al 1993) or with ENDF.B.VI (R.Vega Carrillo et al 2007). This work uses two novelties to calculate the response matrix. On the one hand the use of unstructured meshes to simulate the geometry of the detector and the Bonner Spheres and on the other hand the use of the updated ENDF.B.VII cross sections libraries. A set of simulations have been performed to obtain the detector response matrix. 29 mono energetic neutron beams between 10 KeV to 20 MeV were used as source for each moderator sphere up to a total of 174 simulations. Each mono energetic source was defined with the same diameter as the moderating sphere used in its corresponding simulation and the spheres were uniformly irradiated from the top of the photomultiplier tube. Some

The response of a Bonner Sphere spectrometer to charged hadrons

CERN Document Server

Agosteo, S; Fassò, A; Silari, M

2004-01-01

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSSs) are employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry since many years. Recent developments have seen the addition to a conventional BSS of one or more detectors (moderator plus thermal neutron counter) specifically designed to improve the overall response of the spectrometer to neutrons above 10 MeV. These additional detectors employ a shell of material with a high mass number (such as lead) within the polyethylene moderator, in order to slow down high-energy neutrons via (n, xn) reactions. A BSS can be used to measure neutron spectra both outside accelerator shielding and from an unshielded target. Measurements were recently performed at CERN of the neutron yield and spectral fluence at various angles from unshielded, semithick copper, silver and lead targets, bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with 40 GeV per c momentum. These experiments have provided evidence that under certain circumstances, the use of lead-enriched moderators may present a problem: these detectors wer...

Calibration and experiment of an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mitaroff, A.; Mayer, S. [CERN, Geneva (Switzerland)]|[Atominstitut der TU-Wien, Vienna (Austria); Dimovasili, E.; Silari, M. [CERN, Geneva (Switzerland); Birattari, C. [Univ. of Milan, LASA, Segrate (Italy); Wiegel, B. [Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig (Germany); Aiginger, H. [Atominstitut der TU-Wien, Vienna (Austria)

2001-07-01

High-energy neutrons dominate the dose equivalent outside the shielding of hadron accelerators (protons, heavy ions). Nowadays these accelerators are not only used or foreseen in high- and intermediate energy physics but in other fields like medicine or waste transmutation, too. In addition it was shown that at commercial flight altitudes a large fraction of the exposure of aircraft personnel is due to neutrons with a comparable energy spectrum to that along hadron accelerators. For this reason in radiation protection the exact knowledge of the neutron spectrum and the relevant dose quantities is very important. The neutrons of these radiation fields extend over more than 14 orders of magnitude up to 1 GeV, thus making the measurement of the spectrum difficult. A newly developed Bonner sphere spectrometer with extended range shall evaluate spectra with a high-energy neutron component. This contribution shows the FLUKA simulated response functions of the two new spheres - Stanlio and Ollio - dedicated for high energies. These simulations should be verified by calibration with quasi monoenergetic neutrons. These took place at PTB with neutron beams of 144 keV, 1.2 MeV, 5 MeV and 14.8 MeV. Additionally experiments at the CERF (CERN-EU Reference Field) facility, which provides a broad neutron spectrum with two pronounced maxima at around 1 MeV and 70 MeV, are shown and compared to the Monte Carlo simulations. (orig.)

Calibration and experiment of an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitaroff, A.; Mayer, S.; Dimovasili, E.; Silari, M.; Birattari, C.; Wiegel, B.; Aiginger, H.

2001-01-01

High-energy neutrons dominate the dose equivalent outside the shielding of hadron accelerators (protons, heavy ions). Nowadays these accelerators are not only used or foreseen in high- and intermediate energy physics but in other fields like medicine or waste transmutation, too. In addition it was shown that at commercial flight altitudes a large fraction of the exposure of aircraft personnel is due to neutrons with a comparable energy spectrum to that along hadron accelerators. For this reason in radiation protection the exact knowledge of the neutron spectrum and the relevant dose quantities is very important. The neutrons of these radiation fields extend over more than 14 orders of magnitude up to 1 GeV, thus making the measurement of the spectrum difficult. A newly developed Bonner sphere spectrometer with extended range shall evaluate spectra with a high-energy neutron component. This contribution shows the FLUKA simulated response functions of the two new spheres - Stanlio and Ollio - dedicated for high energies. These simulations should be verified by calibration with quasi monoenergetic neutrons. These took place at PTB with neutron beams of 144 keV, 1.2 MeV, 5 MeV and 14.8 MeV. Additionally experiments at the CERF (CERN-EU Reference Field) facility, which provides a broad neutron spectrum with two pronounced maxima at around 1 MeV and 70 MeV, are shown and compared to the Monte Carlo simulations. (orig.)

Optimization of the architecture of a neural network in neutron spectrometry to reduce the number of Bonner spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leon P, A. A.; Martinez B, M. R.; Hernandez P, C. F.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Castaneda M, V. H.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.; Mendez V, R.; Gallego, E.; De Sousa L, M. A.

2016-10-01

The neutron spectrometry is an experimental process for determining the energy distribution called the Spectrum. Among the methods available for neutron spectrometry, one can mention the Bonner Sphere Spectrometric System as one of the most used, consisting of a detector placed in the center of a set of polyethylene spheres whose diameters range from 2 to 18 inches, however has some disadvantages such as the long periods of time to perform the measurements, the weight and the spheres number that vary according to the system. From this, alternative methods such as artificial neural networks are proposed. For this project neural networks of reverse propagation were used with the methodology of robust design of artificial neural networks, with the aid of a computational tool that maximizes the performance, making the time used for the training s of the network is the smallest possible and thus gets the orthogonal fixes quickly to determine the best network topology. The counting rates of a spectrometric system with 7 spheres, 2 spheres and one sphere of 5 and 8 inches were used. This methodology seeks to reduce the work used as in the spectrometric system formed by a greater number of spheres, since to enter less data in the counting rates to obtain the spectra with 60 energy levels saves time and space, because at having a smaller number of spheres its portability is easier to move from one place to another, for this we performed several experiments with different errors until we reached the optimal error so that the topology of the network was appropriate and find the best design parameters. A statistical software JMP was also used to obtain the best topologies and thus to retrain obtaining its best and worst spectra, in order to determine if the reduction is possible. (Author)

Neutron spectrometry using LNL bonner spheres and FLUKA

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sarchiapone, L.; Zafiropoulos, D. [INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (Italy)

2013-07-18

The characterization of neutron fields has been made with a system based on a scintillation detector and multiple moderating spheres. The system, together with the unfolding procedure, have been tested in quasi-monochromatic neutron energy fields and in complex, mixed, cyclotron based environments. FLUKA simulations have been used to produce response functions and reference energy spectra.

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry by means of Bonner spheres system and artificial neural networks applying robust design of artificial neural networks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martinez B, M.R.; Ortiz R, J.M.; Vega C, H.R. [UAZ, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde No. 801, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2006-07-01

An Artificial Neural Network has been designed, trained and tested to unfold neutron spectra and simultaneously to calculate equivalent doses. A set of 187 neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency and 13 equivalent doses were used in the artificial neural network designed, trained and tested. In order to design the neural network was used the robust design of artificial neural networks methodology, which assures that the quality of the neural networks takes into account from the design stage. Unless previous works, here, for first time a group of neural networks were designed and trained to unfold 187 neutron spectra and at the same time to calculate 13 equivalent doses, starting from the count rates coming from the Bonner spheres system by using a systematic and experimental strategy. (Author)

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry by means of Bonner spheres system and artificial neural networks applying robust design of artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martinez B, M.R.; Ortiz R, J.M.; Vega C, H.R.

2006-01-01

An Artificial Neural Network has been designed, trained and tested to unfold neutron spectra and simultaneously to calculate equivalent doses. A set of 187 neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency and 13 equivalent doses were used in the artificial neural network designed, trained and tested. In order to design the neural network was used the robust design of artificial neural networks methodology, which assures that the quality of the neural networks takes into account from the design stage. Unless previous works, here, for first time a group of neural networks were designed and trained to unfold 187 neutron spectra and at the same time to calculate 13 equivalent doses, starting from the count rates coming from the Bonner spheres system by using a systematic and experimental strategy. (Author)

Measurements and Monte Carlo calculations with the extended-range Bonner sphere spectrometer at high-energy mixed fields

CERN Document Server

AUTHOR|(INSPIRE)INSPIRE-00406842; Bay, Aurelio; Silari, Marco; Aroua, Abbas

The use of spectrometry to provide information for neutron radiation protection has become an increasingly important activity over recent years. The need for spectral data arises because neither area survey instruments nor personal dosimeters give the correct dose equivalent results at all neutron energies. It is important therefore to know the spectra of the fields in which these devices are used. One of the systems most commonly employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry is the Bonner Sphere Spectrometers (BSS). The extended- range BSS that was used for this work, consists of 7 spheres with an overall response to neutrons up to 2 GeV. A 3He detector is used as a thermal counter in the centre of each sphere. In the context of this thesis the BSS was calibrated in monoenergetic neutron fields at low and intermediate energies. It was also used for measurements in several high energy mixed fields. These measurements have led to the calculation of neutron yields and spectral fluences from unshielded targets....

Characterization of the neutron field at the ISIS-VESUVIO facility by means of a bonner sphere spectrometer

Science.gov (United States)

Bedogni, Roberto; Esposito, Adolfo; Andreani, Carla; Senesi, Roberto; De Pascale, Maria Pia; Picozza, Piergiorgio; Pietropaolo, Antonino; Gorini, Giuseppe; Frost, Christopher D.; Ansell, Stewart

2009-12-01

One of the more actual and promising fields of applied neutron physics is the investigation of the malfunctions induced by high-energy neutrons naturally present in the atmosphere in electronic devices, called single event effects (SEE). These studies are of primary importance for the design of devices that have to fulfill high reliability requirements and those that are likely to be exposed to enhanced levels of cosmic rays background, e.g. in aerospace and avionic applications. Particle accelerators-driven neutron sources constitute valuable irradiation facilities for these purposes as they provide an opportunity for accelerated testing of the effects of these naturally occurring neutrons, provided the neutron spectrum is comparable with the atmospheric one and the neutron fields are known with high accuracy. The latter can be achieved through the use of appropriate radiation transport codes and neutron spectrometry techniques. In view of the design and construction of CHIPIR, a dedicated beam line for SEE studies at the ISIS pulsed neutron source second target station (UK) [1] ( http://ts-2.isis.rl.ac.uk/instruments/phase2/index.htm), a spectrometric characterization was performed on the VESUVIO beamline [2] (Senesi et al.,2000). The spectrometric technique was the bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS), widely used to determine neutron spectra and dose quantities around high-energy accelerators. The experimental campaign provided a complete spectrometric investigation of the VESUVIO neutron beam, allowing the integral quantities (total fluence rate, fraction of fluence in given energy intervals) to be estimated with uncertainties lower than 10%.

Characterization of the neutron field at the ISIS-VESUVIO facility by means of a bonner sphere spectrometer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, Roberto; Esposito, Adolfo; Andreani, Carla; Senesi, Roberto; De Pascale, Maria Pia; Picozza, Piergiorgio; Pietropaolo, Antonino; Gorini, Giuseppe; Frost, Christopher D.; Ansell, Stewart

2009-01-01

One of the more actual and promising fields of applied neutron physics is the investigation of the malfunctions induced by high-energy neutrons naturally present in the atmosphere in electronic devices, called single event effects (SEE). These studies are of primary importance for the design of devices that have to fulfill high reliability requirements and those that are likely to be exposed to enhanced levels of cosmic rays background, e.g. in aerospace and avionic applications. Particle accelerators-driven neutron sources constitute valuable irradiation facilities for these purposes as they provide an opportunity for accelerated testing of the effects of these naturally occurring neutrons, provided the neutron spectrum is comparable with the atmospheric one and the neutron fields are known with high accuracy. The latter can be achieved through the use of appropriate radiation transport codes and neutron spectrometry techniques. In view of the design and construction of CHIPIR, a dedicated beam line for SEE studies at the ISIS pulsed neutron source second target station (UK) ((http://ts-2.isis.rl.ac.uk/instruments/phase2/index.htm)), a spectrometric characterization was performed on the VESUVIO beamline (Senesi et al.,2000). The spectrometric technique was the bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS), widely used to determine neutron spectra and dose quantities around high-energy accelerators. The experimental campaign provided a complete spectrometric investigation of the VESUVIO neutron beam, allowing the integral quantities (total fluence rate, fraction of fluence in given energy intervals) to be estimated with uncertainties lower than 10%.

Characterization of the neutron field at the ISIS-VESUVIO facility by means of a bonner sphere spectrometer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, Roberto; Esposito, Adolfo [INFN-LNF Via E. Fermi n. 40-00044 Frascati (RM) (Italy); Andreani, Carla [Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Dipartimento di Fisica e Centro NAST, Via R. Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma (Italy); Senesi, Roberto, E-mail: roberto.senesi@roma2.infn.i [Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Dipartimento di Fisica e Centro NAST, Via R. Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma (Italy); De Pascale, Maria Pia; Picozza, Piergiorgio [Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Dipartimento di Fisica e Centro NAST, Via R. Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma (Italy); Pietropaolo, Antonino; Gorini, Giuseppe [CNISM and Universita degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Dipartimento di Fisica ' G. Occhialini' , Piazza della Scienza 3, 20126 Milano (Italy); Frost, Christopher D. [INFN-LNF Via E. Fermi n. 40-00044 Frascati (RM) (Italy); Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Dipartimento di Fisica e Centro NAST, Via R. Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma (Italy); CNISM and Universita degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Dipartimento di Fisica ' G. Occhialini' , Piazza della Scienza 3, 20126 Milano (Italy); STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS Facility, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QX (United Kingdom); Ansell, Stewart [STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS Facility, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QX (United Kingdom)

2009-12-21

One of the more actual and promising fields of applied neutron physics is the investigation of the malfunctions induced by high-energy neutrons naturally present in the atmosphere in electronic devices, called single event effects (SEE). These studies are of primary importance for the design of devices that have to fulfill high reliability requirements and those that are likely to be exposed to enhanced levels of cosmic rays background, e.g. in aerospace and avionic applications. Particle accelerators-driven neutron sources constitute valuable irradiation facilities for these purposes as they provide an opportunity for accelerated testing of the effects of these naturally occurring neutrons, provided the neutron spectrum is comparable with the atmospheric one and the neutron fields are known with high accuracy. The latter can be achieved through the use of appropriate radiation transport codes and neutron spectrometry techniques. In view of the design and construction of CHIPIR, a dedicated beam line for SEE studies at the ISIS pulsed neutron source second target station (UK) ((http://ts-2.isis.rl.ac.uk/instruments/phase2/index.htm)), a spectrometric characterization was performed on the VESUVIO beamline (Senesi et al.,2000). The spectrometric technique was the bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS), widely used to determine neutron spectra and dose quantities around high-energy accelerators. The experimental campaign provided a complete spectrometric investigation of the VESUVIO neutron beam, allowing the integral quantities (total fluence rate, fraction of fluence in given energy intervals) to be estimated with uncertainties lower than 10%.

Recent advances in Bonner Sphere neutron spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Johnson, T.L.; Lee, Y.; Lowry, K.A.; Gorbics, S.G.

1987-01-01

Recent innovations, and the results of recent studies at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and elsewhere, have significantly increased the usefulness of the Bonner Spohere Spectrometer (BSS) for routine Health Physics applications. A summary of some of the more important of these innovations and studies is given

Response matrix of an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer for the characterization of collimated neutron beams

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, R.; Esposito, A.; Gomez-Ros, J.M.

2010-01-01

Accelerator-based neutron beams are becoming popular tools for material testing, radiation hardness and soft errors studies. The characterization of these beams in terms of dosimetric and spectrometric quantities is a challenging task, mainly due to their wide energy interval (from thermal up to hundreds MeV) and, in certain facilities like VESUVIO - ISIS (RAL, UK), to their small dimension (few cm in radius). Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometers (ERBSS) would be a valuable tool, due to their wide energy range, good photon discrimination and possibility to choose among different central detectors according to the intensity, photon component and time structure of the field. Nevertheless, the non-uniform irradiation of the spheres could lead to important systematic errors. With the aim of bringing the advantages of ERBSS into the characterization of collimated beams, a dedicated study was performed using the VESUVIO spallation-based collimated beam at ISIS (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford). Here a 3.21 cm radius collimated beam was characterized using a Dysprosium activation foil-based ERBSS whose response matrix was recalculated for this specific beam diameter. Besides the results of the experimental campaign, this paper presents the calculation of the response matrix and its dependence on the beam dimension.

Optimization of the architecture of a neural network in neutron spectrometry to reduce the number of Bonner spheres; Optimizacion de la arquitectura de una red neuronal en espectrometria de neutrones para reducer el numero de esferas Bonner

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leon P, A. A.; Martinez B, M. R.; Hernandez P, C. F.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Castaneda M, V. H.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde 801, Col. Centro, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico); Mendez V, R. [Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas, Laboratorio de Patrones Neutronicos, Av. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Gallego, E. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, ETSI Industriales, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain); De Sousa L, M. A. [Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear / CNEN, Av. Pte. Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil)

2016-10-15

The neutron spectrometry is an experimental process for determining the energy distribution called the Spectrum. Among the methods available for neutron spectrometry, one can mention the Bonner Sphere Spectrometric System as one of the most used, consisting of a detector placed in the center of a set of polyethylene spheres whose diameters range from 2 to 18 inches, however has some disadvantages such as the long periods of time to perform the measurements, the weight and the spheres number that vary according to the system. From this, alternative methods such as artificial neural networks are proposed. For this project neural networks of reverse propagation were used with the methodology of robust design of artificial neural networks, with the aid of a computational tool that maximizes the performance, making the time used for the training s of the network is the smallest possible and thus gets the orthogonal fixes quickly to determine the best network topology. The counting rates of a spectrometric system with 7 spheres, 2 spheres and one sphere of 5 and 8 inches were used. This methodology seeks to reduce the work used as in the spectrometric system formed by a greater number of spheres, since to enter less data in the counting rates to obtain the spectra with 60 energy levels saves time and space, because at having a smaller number of spheres its portability is easier to move from one place to another, for this we performed several experiments with different errors until we reached the optimal error so that the topology of the network was appropriate and find the best design parameters. A statistical software JMP was also used to obtain the best topologies and thus to retrain obtaining its best and worst spectra, in order to determine if the reduction is possible. (Author)

Measurement of neutron spectra generated by a 62 AMeV carbon-ion beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, R.; Amgarou, K.; Domingo, C.; Russo, S.; Cirrone, G.A.P.; Pelliccioni, M.; Esposito, A.; Pola, A.; Introini, M.V.; Gentile, A.

2012-01-01

Neutrons constitute an important component of the radiation environment in hadron therapy accelerators. Their energy distribution may span from thermal up to hundred of MeV. The characterization of these fields in terms of dosimetric or spectrometric quantities is crucial for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. To date, the Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (ERBSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. With the aim of providing useful data to the scientific community involved in neutron measurements at hadron therapy facilities, a measurement campaign was carried out at the Centro di AdroTerapia e Applicazioni Nucleari Avanzate (CATANA) of INFN-LNS (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud), where a 62 AMeV carbon ion is available. The beam was directed towards a PMMA phantom, simulating the patient, and two neutron measurement points were established at 0° and 90° with respect to the beam-line. The ERBSSs of UAB (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona-Grup de Física de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were used to measure the resulting neutron fields. The two ERBSSs use different detectors and sphere diameters, and have been independently calibrated. The FRUIT code was used to unfold the results.

Measurement of neutron spectra generated by a 62 AMeV carbon-ion beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Amgarou, K.; Domingo, C. [Grup de Recerca en Radiacions Ionitzants, Departament de Fisica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Spain); Russo, S.; Cirrone, G.A.P. [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali dei Sud, Via S. Sofia 62, 95125 Catania (Italy); Pelliccioni, M.; Esposito, A. [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Pola, A.; Introini, M.V. [Politecnico di Milano, CESNEF, Dipartimento di Energia, via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milano (Italy); Gentile, A. [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy)

2012-07-21

Neutrons constitute an important component of the radiation environment in hadron therapy accelerators. Their energy distribution may span from thermal up to hundred of MeV. The characterization of these fields in terms of dosimetric or spectrometric quantities is crucial for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. To date, the Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (ERBSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. With the aim of providing useful data to the scientific community involved in neutron measurements at hadron therapy facilities, a measurement campaign was carried out at the Centro di AdroTerapia e Applicazioni Nucleari Avanzate (CATANA) of INFN-LNS (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud), where a 62 AMeV carbon ion is available. The beam was directed towards a PMMA phantom, simulating the patient, and two neutron measurement points were established at 0 Degree-Sign and 90 Degree-Sign with respect to the beam-line. The ERBSSs of UAB (Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona-Grup de Fisica de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were used to measure the resulting neutron fields. The two ERBSSs use different detectors and sphere diameters, and have been independently calibrated. The FRUIT code was used to unfold the results.

Measurement of neutron spectra generated by a 62 AMeV carbon-ion beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

Science.gov (United States)

Bedogni, R.; Amgarou, K.; Domingo, C.; Russo, S.; Cirrone, G. A. P.; Pelliccioni, M.; Esposito, A.; Pola, A.; Introini, M. V.; Gentile, A.

2012-07-01

Neutrons constitute an important component of the radiation environment in hadron therapy accelerators. Their energy distribution may span from thermal up to hundred of MeV. The characterization of these fields in terms of dosimetric or spectrometric quantities is crucial for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. To date, the Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (ERBSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. With the aim of providing useful data to the scientific community involved in neutron measurements at hadron therapy facilities, a measurement campaign was carried out at the Centro di AdroTerapia e Applicazioni Nucleari Avanzate (CATANA) of INFN-LNS (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud), where a 62 AMeV carbon ion is available. The beam was directed towards a PMMA phantom, simulating the patient, and two neutron measurement points were established at 0° and 90° with respect to the beam-line. The ERBSSs of UAB (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona-Grup de Física de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were used to measure the resulting neutron fields. The two ERBSSs use different detectors and sphere diameters, and have been independently calibrated. The FRUIT code was used to unfold the results.

Workplace testing of the new single sphere neutron spectrometer based on Dysprosium activation foils (Dy-SSS)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, R.; Gómez-Ros, J.M.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Chiti, M.; Palacios-Pérez, L.; Angelone, M.; Tana, L.

2012-01-01

A photon insensitive passive neutron spectrometer consisting of a single moderating polyethylene sphere with Dysprosium activation foils arranged along three perpendicular axes was designed by CIEMAT and INFN. The device is called Dy-SSS (Dy foil-based Single Sphere Spectrometer). It shows nearly isotropic response in terms of neutron fluence up to 20 MeV. The first prototype, previously calibrated with 14 MeV neutrons, has been recently tested in workplaces having different energy and directional distributions. These are a 2.5 MeV nearly mono-chromatic and mono-directional beam available at the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) and the photo-neutron field produced in a 15 MV Varian CLINAC DHX medical accelerator, located in the Ospedale S. Chiara (Pisa). Both neutron spectra are known through measurements with a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer. In both cases the experimental response of the Dy-SSS agrees with the reference data. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the spectrometric capability of the new device are independent from the directional distribution of the neutron field. This opens the way to a new generation of moderation-based neutron instruments, presenting all advantages of the Bonner sphere spectrometer without the disadvantage of the repeated exposures. This concept is being developed within the NESCOFI@BTF project of INFN (Commissione Scientifica Nazionale 5).

Workplace testing of the new single sphere neutron spectrometer based on Dysprosium activation foils (Dy-SSS)

Science.gov (United States)

Bedogni, R.; Gómez-Ros, J. M.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Chiti, M.; Palacios-Pérez, L.; Angelone, M.; Tana, L.

2012-08-01

A photon insensitive passive neutron spectrometer consisting of a single moderating polyethylene sphere with Dysprosium activation foils arranged along three perpendicular axes was designed by CIEMAT and INFN. The device is called Dy-SSS (Dy foil-based Single Sphere Spectrometer). It shows nearly isotropic response in terms of neutron fluence up to 20 MeV. The first prototype, previously calibrated with 14 MeV neutrons, has been recently tested in workplaces having different energy and directional distributions. These are a 2.5 MeV nearly mono-chromatic and mono-directional beam available at the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) and the photo-neutron field produced in a 15 MV Varian CLINAC DHX medical accelerator, located in the Ospedale S. Chiara (Pisa). Both neutron spectra are known through measurements with a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer. In both cases the experimental response of the Dy-SSS agrees with the reference data. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the spectrometric capability of the new device are independent from the directional distribution of the neutron field. This opens the way to a new generation of moderation-based neutron instruments, presenting all advantages of the Bonner sphere spectrometer without the disadvantage of the repeated exposures. This concept is being developed within the NESCOFI@BTF project of INFN (Commissione Scientifica Nazionale 5).

Workplace testing of the new single sphere neutron spectrometer based on Dysprosium activation foils (Dy-SSS)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [INFN-LNF (Frascati National Laboratories), Via E. Fermi n. 40-00044 Frascati (Italy); Gomez-Ros, J.M. [INFN-LNF (Frascati National Laboratories), Via E. Fermi n. 40-00044 Frascati (Italy); CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Chiti, M.; Palacios-Perez, L. [INFN-LNF (Frascati National Laboratories), Via E. Fermi n. 40-00044 Frascati (Italy); Angelone, M. [ENEA C.R. Frascati, C.P. 65, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Tana, L. [A.O. Universitaria Pisana-Ospedale S. Chiara, Via Bonanno Pisano, Pisa (Italy)

2012-08-21

A photon insensitive passive neutron spectrometer consisting of a single moderating polyethylene sphere with Dysprosium activation foils arranged along three perpendicular axes was designed by CIEMAT and INFN. The device is called Dy-SSS (Dy foil-based Single Sphere Spectrometer). It shows nearly isotropic response in terms of neutron fluence up to 20 MeV. The first prototype, previously calibrated with 14 MeV neutrons, has been recently tested in workplaces having different energy and directional distributions. These are a 2.5 MeV nearly mono-chromatic and mono-directional beam available at the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) and the photo-neutron field produced in a 15 MV Varian CLINAC DHX medical accelerator, located in the Ospedale S. Chiara (Pisa). Both neutron spectra are known through measurements with a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer. In both cases the experimental response of the Dy-SSS agrees with the reference data. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the spectrometric capability of the new device are independent from the directional distribution of the neutron field. This opens the way to a new generation of moderation-based neutron instruments, presenting all advantages of the Bonner sphere spectrometer without the disadvantage of the repeated exposures. This concept is being developed within the NESCOFI@BTF project of INFN (Commissione Scientifica Nazionale 5).

A parametric model to describe neutron spectra around high-energy electron accelerators and its application in neutron spectrometry with Bonner Spheres

Science.gov (United States)

Bedogni, Roberto; Pelliccioni, Maurizio; Esposito, Adolfo

2010-03-01

Due to the increased interest of the scientific community in the applications of synchrotron light, there is an increasing demand of high-energy electron facilities, testified by the construction of several new facilities worldwide. The radiation protection around such facilities requires accurate experimental methods to determine the dose due to prompt radiation fields. Neutron fields, in particular, are the most complex to measure, because they extend in energy from thermal (10 -8 MeV) up to hundreds MeV and because the responses of dosemeters and survey meters usually have large energy dependence. The Bonner Spheres Spectrometer (BSS) is in practice the only instrument able to respond over the whole energy range of interest, and for this reason it is frequently used to derive neutron spectra and dosimetric quantities in accelerator workplaces. Nevertheless, complex unfolding algorithms are needed to derive the neutron spectra from the experimental BSS data. This paper presents a parametric model specially developed for the unfolding of the experimental data measured with BSS around high-energy electron accelerators. The work consists of the following stages: (1) Generation with the FLUKA code, of a set of neutron spectra representing the radiation environment around accelerators with different electron energies; (2) formulation of a parametric model able to describe these spectra, with particular attention to the high-energy component (>10 MeV), which may be responsible for a large part of the dose in workplaces; and (3) implementation of this model in an existing unfolding code.

A parametric model to describe neutron spectra around high-energy electron accelerators and its application in neutron spectrometry with Bonner Spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, Roberto; Pelliccioni, Maurizio; Esposito, Adolfo

2010-01-01

Due to the increased interest of the scientific community in the applications of synchrotron light, there is an increasing demand of high-energy electron facilities, testified by the construction of several new facilities worldwide. The radiation protection around such facilities requires accurate experimental methods to determine the dose due to prompt radiation fields. Neutron fields, in particular, are the most complex to measure, because they extend in energy from thermal (10 -8 MeV) up to hundreds MeV and because the responses of dosemeters and survey meters usually have large energy dependence. The Bonner Spheres Spectrometer (BSS) is in practice the only instrument able to respond over the whole energy range of interest, and for this reason it is frequently used to derive neutron spectra and dosimetric quantities in accelerator workplaces. Nevertheless, complex unfolding algorithms are needed to derive the neutron spectra from the experimental BSS data. This paper presents a parametric model specially developed for the unfolding of the experimental data measured with BSS around high-energy electron accelerators. The work consists of the following stages: (1) Generation with the FLUKA code, of a set of neutron spectra representing the radiation environment around accelerators with different electron energies; (2) formulation of a parametric model able to describe these spectra, with particular attention to the high-energy component (>10 MeV), which may be responsible for a large part of the dose in workplaces; and (3) implementation of this model in an existing unfolding code.

Measurement of the neutron fields produced by a 62 MeV proton beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Amgarou, K.; Bedogni, R.; Domingo, C.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Carinci, G.; Russo, S.

2011-01-01

The experimental characterization of the neutron fields produced as parasitic effect in medical accelerators is assuming an increased importance for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. Medical accelerators are diverse in terms of particle type (electrons or hadrons) and energy, but the radiation fields around them have in common (provided that a given threshold energy is reached) the presence of neutrons with energy span over several orders of magnitude. Due to the large variability of neutron energy, field or dosimetry measurements in these workplaces are very complex, and in general, cannot be performed with ready-to-use commercial instruments. In spite of its poor energy resolution, the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. The energy range of this instrument is limited to E o and 90 o with respect to the beam-line. Here the ERBSS of UAB (Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona-Grup de Fisica de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were exposed to characterize the 'forward' and 'sideward' proton-induced neutron fields. The use of two ERBSS characterized by different set of spheres, central detectors, and independently established and calibrated, is important for guaranteeing the robustness of the measured spectra and estimating their overall uncertainties.

Measurement of the neutron fields produced by a 62 MeV proton beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amgarou, K. [Grup de Recerca en Radiacions Ionitzants, Departament de Fisica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Spain); Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [INFN-Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Domingo, C. [Grup de Recerca en Radiacions Ionitzants, Departament de Fisica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Spain); Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Carinci, G. [INFN-Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Russo, S. [INFN-Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, via S. Sofia 44, 95123 Catania (Italy)

2011-10-21

The experimental characterization of the neutron fields produced as parasitic effect in medical accelerators is assuming an increased importance for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. Medical accelerators are diverse in terms of particle type (electrons or hadrons) and energy, but the radiation fields around them have in common (provided that a given threshold energy is reached) the presence of neutrons with energy span over several orders of magnitude. Due to the large variability of neutron energy, field or dosimetry measurements in these workplaces are very complex, and in general, cannot be performed with ready-to-use commercial instruments. In spite of its poor energy resolution, the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. The energy range of this instrument is limited to E<20 MeV if only polyethylene spheres are used, but can be extended to hundreds of MeV by including metal-loaded spheres (extended range BSS, indicated with ERBSS). With the aim of providing useful data to the scientific community involved in neutron measurements at hadron therapy facilities, an ERBSS experiment was carried out at the Centro di AdroTerapia e Applicazioni Nucleari Avanzate (CATANA) of INFN-LNS (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud), where a proton beam routinely used for ophthalmic cancer treatments is available. The 62 MeV beam was directed towards a PMMA phantom, simulating the patient, and two neutron measurement points were established at 0{sup o} and 90{sup o} with respect to the beam-line. Here the ERBSS of UAB (Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona-Grup de Fisica de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were exposed to characterize the 'forward' and 'sideward' proton-induced neutron fields. The use of two ERBSS characterized by different set of spheres, central detectors, and

Unfolding neutron spectra from simulated response of thermoluminescence dosimeters inside a polyethylene sphere using GRNN neural network

Science.gov (United States)

Lotfalizadeh, F.; Faghihi, R.; Bahadorzadeh, B.; Sina, S.

2017-07-01

Neutron spectrometry using a single-sphere containing dosimeters has been developed recently, as an effective replacement for Bonner sphere spectrometry. The aim of this study is unfolding the neutron energy spectra using GRNN artificial neural network, from the response of thermoluminescence dosimeters, TLDs, located inside a polyethylene sphere. The spectrometer was simulated using MCNP5. TLD-600 and TLD-700 dosimeters were simulated at different positions in all directions. Then the GRNN was used for neutron spectra prediction, using the TLDs' readings. Comparison of spectra predicted by the network with the real spectra, show that the single-sphere dosimeter is an effective instrument in unfolding neutron spectra.

Measurement of the neutron fields produced by a 62 MeV proton beam on a PMMA phantom using extended range Bonner sphere spectrometers

Science.gov (United States)

Amgarou, K.; Bedogni, R.; Domingo, C.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; Carinci, G.; Russo, S.

2011-10-01

The experimental characterization of the neutron fields produced as parasitic effect in medical accelerators is assuming an increased importance for either the patient protection or the facility design aspects. Medical accelerators are diverse in terms of particle type (electrons or hadrons) and energy, but the radiation fields around them have in common (provided that a given threshold energy is reached) the presence of neutrons with energy span over several orders of magnitude. Due to the large variability of neutron energy, field or dosimetry measurements in these workplaces are very complex, and in general, cannot be performed with ready-to-use commercial instruments. In spite of its poor energy resolution, the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) is the only instrument able to simultaneously determine all spectral components in such workplaces. The energy range of this instrument is limited to ECATANA) of INFN—LNS (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud), where a proton beam routinely used for ophthalmic cancer treatments is available. The 62 MeV beam was directed towards a PMMA phantom, simulating the patient, and two neutron measurement points were established at 0° and 90° with respect to the beam-line. Here the ERBSS of UAB (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona— Grup de Física de les Radiacions) and INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati) were exposed to characterize the "forward" and "sideward" proton-induced neutron fields. The use of two ERBSS characterized by different set of spheres, central detectors, and independently established and calibrated, is important for guaranteeing the robustness of the measured spectra and estimating their overall uncertainties.

The response of a Bonner sphere spectrometer to charged hadrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Agosteo, S.; Dimovasili, E.; Fasso, A.; Silari, M.

2004-01-01

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSSs) are employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry since many years. Recent developments have seen the addition to a conventional BSS of one or more detectors (moderator plus thermal neutron counter) specifically designed to improve the overall response of the spectrometer to neutrons above 10 MeV. These additional detectors employ a shell of material with a high mass number (such as lead) within the polyethylene moderator, in order to slow down high-energy neutrons via (n,xn) reactions. A BSS can be used to measure neutron spectra both outside accelerator shielding and from an unshielded target. Measurements were recently performed at CERN of the neutron yield and spectral fluence at various angles from unshielded, semi-thick copper, silver and lead targets, bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with 40 GeV per c momentum. These experiments have provided evidence that under certain circumstances, the use of lead-enriched moderators may present a problem: these detectors were found to have a significant response to the charged hadron component accompanying the neutrons emitted from the target. Conventional polyethylene moderators show a similar behaviour but less pronounced. These secondary hadrons interact with the moderator and generate neutrons, which are in turn detected by the counter. To investigate this effect and determine a correction factor to be applied to the unfolding procedure, a series of Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the FLUKA code. These simulations aimed at determining the response of the BSS to charged hadrons under the specific experimental situation. Following these results, a complete response matrix of the extended BSS to charged pions and protons was calculated with FLUKA. An experimental verification was carried out with a 120 GeV per c hadron beam at the CERF facility at CERN. (authors)

The response of a bonner sphere spectrometer to charged hadrons.

Science.gov (United States)

Agosteo, S; Dimovasili, E; Fassò, A; Silari, M

2004-01-01

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSSs) are employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry since many years. Recent developments have seen the addition to a conventional BSS of one or more detectors (moderator plus thermal neutron counter) specifically designed to improve the overall response of the spectrometer to neutrons above 10 MeV. These additional detectors employ a shell of material with a high mass number (such as lead) within the polyethylene moderator, in order to slow down high-energy neutrons via (n,xn) reactions. A BSS can be used to measure neutron spectra both outside accelerator shielding and from an unshielded target. Measurements were recently performed at CERN of the neutron yield and spectral fluence at various angles from unshielded, semi-thick copper, silver and lead targets, bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with 40 GeV per c momentum. These experiments have provided evidence that under certain circumstances, the use of lead-enriched moderators may present a problem: these detectors were found to have a significant response to the charged hadron component accompanying the neutrons emitted from the target. Conventional polyethylene moderators show a similar behaviour but less pronounced. These secondary hadrons interact with the moderator and generate neutrons, which are in turn detected by the counter. To investigate this effect and determine a correction factor to be applied to the unfolding procedure, a series of Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the FLUKA code. These simulations aimed at determining the response of the BSS to charged hadrons under the specific experimental situation. Following these results, a complete response matrix of the extended BSS to charged pions and protons was calculated with FLUKA. An experimental verification was carried out with a 120 GeV per c hadron beam at the CERF facility at CERN.

Determination of workplace neutron spectra at a high energy hadron accelerator using active and passive Bonner sphere spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, R.; Esposito, A.; Chiti, M.

2008-01-01

In the framework of the 2006 experimental benchmark organized at the GSI (Darmstadt, Germany) by the EC CONRAD network, a neutron dosimetry intercomparison was performed in a workplace field around a carbon target hit by 400 MeV/u 12 C ions. The radiation protection group of the INFN-LNF participated to the intercomparison with a Bonner sphere spectrometer equipped with an active 6 LiI(Eu) scintillator and a set of passive detectors, namely MCP-6s (80mgcm -2 )/MCP-7 TLD pairs from TLD Poland. Both active and passive spectrometers, independently tested and calibrated, were used to determine the field and dosimetric quantities in the measurement point. The FRUIT unfolding code, developed at the INFN-LNF radiation protection group, was used to unfold the raw BSS data. This paper compares the results of the active or passive spectrometers, obtaining a satisfactory agreement in terms of both spectrum shape and value of the integral quantities, as the neutron fluence or the ambient dose equivalent. These results allow qualifying the BSS based on TLD pairs as a reliable passive method to be used around high energy particle accelerators even in low dose rate areas. This is particularly useful in those workplaces where the active instruments could be disturbed by the presence of pulsed fields, large photon fluence or electromagnetic noise

Neutron spectrum unfolding using neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.

2004-01-01

An artificial neural network has been designed to obtain the neutron spectra from the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. The neural network was trained using a large set of neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency. These include spectra from iso- topic neutron sources, reference and operational neutron spectra obtained from accelerators and nuclear reactors. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-binned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. Re-binned spectra and UTA4 matrix were used to calculate the expected count rates in Bonner spheres spectrometer. These count rates were used as input and correspondent spectrum was used as output during neural network training. The network has 7 input nodes, 56 neurons as hidden layer and 31 neurons in the output layer. After training the network was tested with the Bonner spheres count rates produced by twelve neutron spectra. The network allows unfolding the neutron spectrum from count rates measured with Bonner spheres. Good results are obtained when testing count rates belong to neutron spectra used during training, acceptable results are obtained for count rates obtained from actual neutron fields; however the network fails when count rates belong to monoenergetic neutron sources. (Author)

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry in the environment and at workplaces

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alevra, A.V.; Klein, H.; Knauf, K.; Wittstock, J.; Wolber, G.

1998-01-01

Results obtained in diverse environments (including workplaces) using both spectrometric and dosimetric instrumentation were compared. The following topics are included: PTB Bonner sphere spectrometers; natural cosmic ray-induced neutron background; neutron fields at the Dukovany nuclear power plant (Czech Republic); neutron fields at the isochronous cyclotron of the German Cancer Research center in Heidelberg; and accuracy of the integral results obtained with Bonner spheres. (P.A.)

Spectral correction factors for conventional neutron dosemeters used in high-energy neutron environments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, K.W.; Sheu, R.J.

2015-01-01

High-energy neutrons (>10 MeV) contribute substantially to the dose fraction but result in only a small or negligible response in most conventional moderated-type neutron detectors. Neutron dosemeters used for radiation protection purpose are commonly calibrated with 252 Cf neutron sources and are used in various workplace. A workplace-specific correction factor is suggested. In this study, the effect of the neutron spectrum on the accuracy of dose measurements was investigated. A set of neutron spectra representing various neutron environments was selected to study the dose responses of a series of Bonner spheres, including standard and extended-range spheres. By comparing 252 Cf-calibrated dose responses with reference values based on fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients, this paper presents recommendations for neutron field characterisation and appropriate correction factors for responses of conventional neutron dosemeters used in environments with high-energy neutrons. The correction depends on the estimated percentage of high-energy neutrons in the spectrum or the ratio between the measured responses of two Bonner spheres (the 4P6-8 extended-range sphere versus the 6'' standard sphere). (authors)

Artificial neural networks in neutron dosimetry

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.; Mercado, G.A.; Perales M, W.A.; Robles R, J.A. [Unidades Academicas de Estudios Nucleares, UAZ, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E.; Lorente, A. [Depto. de Ingenieria Nuclear, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, (Spain)

2005-07-01

An artificial neural network has been designed to obtain the neutron doses using only the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. Ambient, personal and effective neutron doses were included. 187 neutron spectra were utilized to calculate the Bonner count rates and the neutron doses. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-binned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. Re-binned spectra, UTA4 response matrix and fluence-to-dose coefficients were used to calculate the count rates in Bonner spheres spectrometer and the doses. Count rates were used as input and the respective doses were used as output during neural network training. Training and testing was carried out in Mat lab environment. The artificial neural network performance was evaluated using the {chi}{sup 2}- test, where the original and calculated doses were compared. The use of Artificial Neural Networks in neutron dosimetry is an alternative procedure that overcomes the drawbacks associated in this ill-conditioned problem. (Author)

Artificial neural networks in neutron dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.; Mercado, G.A.; Perales M, W.A.; Robles R, J.A.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.

2005-01-01

An artificial neural network has been designed to obtain the neutron doses using only the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. Ambient, personal and effective neutron doses were included. 187 neutron spectra were utilized to calculate the Bonner count rates and the neutron doses. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-binned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. Re-binned spectra, UTA4 response matrix and fluence-to-dose coefficients were used to calculate the count rates in Bonner spheres spectrometer and the doses. Count rates were used as input and the respective doses were used as output during neural network training. Training and testing was carried out in Mat lab environment. The artificial neural network performance was evaluated using the χ 2 - test, where the original and calculated doses were compared. The use of Artificial Neural Networks in neutron dosimetry is an alternative procedure that overcomes the drawbacks associated in this ill-conditioned problem. (Author)

A new three-tier architecture design for multi-sphere neutron spectrometer with the FLUKA code

Science.gov (United States)

Huang, Hong; Yang, Jian-Bo; Tuo, Xian-Guo; Liu, Zhi; Wang, Qi-Biao; Wang, Xu

2016-07-01

The current commercially, available Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer (BSS) has high sensitivity to neutrons below 20 MeV, which causes it to be poorly placed to measure neutrons ranging from a few MeV to 100 MeV. The paper added moderator layers and the auxiliary material layer upon 3He proportional counters with FLUKA code, with a view to improve. The results showed that the responsive peaks to neutrons below 20 MeV gradually shift to higher energy region and decrease slightly with the increasing moderator thickness. On the contrary, the response for neutrons above 20 MeV was always very low until we embed auxiliary materials such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), tungsten (W) into moderator layers. This paper chose the most suitable auxiliary material Pb to design a three-tier architecture multi-sphere neutron spectrometer (NBSS). Through calculating and comparing, the NBSS was advantageous in terms of response for 5-100 MeV and the highest response was 35.2 times the response of polyethylene (PE) ball with the same PE thickness.

Neutron spectrometry with artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.; Rodriguez, J.M.; Mercado S, G.A.; Iniguez de la Torre Bayo, M.P.; Barquero, R.; Arteaga A, T.

2005-01-01

An artificial neural network has been designed to obtain the neutron spectra from the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. The neural network was trained using 129 neutron spectra. These include isotopic neutron sources; reference and operational spectra from accelerators and nuclear reactors, spectra from mathematical functions as well as few energy groups and monoenergetic spectra. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-bin ned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. Re-binned spectra and UTA4 response matrix were used to calculate the expected count rates in Bonner spheres spectrometer. These count rates were used as input and the respective spectrum was used as output during neural network training. After training the network was tested with the Bonner spheres count rates produced by a set of neutron spectra. This set contains data used during network training as well as data not used. Training and testing was carried out in the Mat lab program. To verify the network unfolding performance the original and unfolded spectra were compared using the χ 2 -test and the total fluence ratios. The use of Artificial Neural Networks to unfold neutron spectra in neutron spectrometry is an alternative procedure that overcomes the drawbacks associated in this ill-conditioned problem. (Author)

Neutron spectrometry using artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega-Carrillo, Hector Rene; Martin Hernandez-Davila, Victor; Manzanares-Acuna, Eduardo; Mercado Sanchez, Gema A.; Pilar Iniguez de la Torre, Maria; Barquero, Raquel; Palacios, Francisco; Mendez Villafane, Roberto; Arteaga Arteaga, Tarcicio; Manuel Ortiz Rodriguez, Jose

2006-01-01

An artificial neural network has been designed to obtain neutron spectra from Bonner spheres spectrometer count rates. The neural network was trained using 129 neutron spectra. These include spectra from isotopic neutron sources; reference and operational spectra from accelerators and nuclear reactors, spectra based on mathematical functions as well as few energy groups and monoenergetic spectra. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-binned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. The re-binned spectra and the UTA4 response matrix were used to calculate the expected count rates in Bonner spheres spectrometer. These count rates were used as input and their respective spectra were used as output during the neural network training. After training, the network was tested with the Bonner spheres count rates produced by folding a set of neutron spectra with the response matrix. This set contains data used during network training as well as data not used. Training and testing was carried out using the Matlab ( R) program. To verify the network unfolding performance, the original and unfolded spectra were compared using the root mean square error. The use of artificial neural networks to unfold neutron spectra in neutron spectrometry is an alternative procedure that overcomes the drawbacks associated with this ill-conditioned problem

A neutron spectrum unfolding computer code based on artificial neural networks

Science.gov (United States)

Ortiz-Rodríguez, J. M.; Reyes Alfaro, A.; Reyes Haro, A.; Cervantes Viramontes, J. M.; Vega-Carrillo, H. R.

2014-02-01

The Bonner Spheres Spectrometer consists of a thermal neutron sensor placed at the center of a number of moderating polyethylene spheres of different diameters. From the measured readings, information can be derived about the spectrum of the neutron field where measurements were made. Disadvantages of the Bonner system are the weight associated with each sphere and the need to sequentially irradiate the spheres, requiring long exposure periods. Provided a well-established response matrix and adequate irradiation conditions, the most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. The derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as a result of the measurements. The drawbacks associated with traditional unfolding procedures have motivated the need of complementary approaches. Novel methods based on Artificial Intelligence, mainly Artificial Neural Networks, have been widely investigated. In this work, a neutron spectrum unfolding code based on neural nets technology is presented. This code is called Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry with Artificial Neural networks unfolding code that was designed in a graphical interface. The core of the code is an embedded neural network architecture previously optimized using the robust design of artificial neural networks methodology. The main features of the code are: easy to use, friendly and intuitive to the user. This code was designed for a Bonner Sphere System based on a 6LiI(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. The main feature of the code is that as entrance data, for unfolding the neutron spectrum, only seven rate counts measured with seven Bonner spheres are required; simultaneously the code calculates 15 dosimetric quantities as well as the total flux for radiation protection purposes. This code generates a full report with all information of the unfolding in

Measurements and Monte Carlo calculations with the extended-range Bonner sphere spectrometer at high-energy mixed fields

OpenAIRE

Dimovasili, Evangelia; Valley, Jean-Francois; Bay, Aurelio; Silari, Marco; Aroua, Abbas

2016-01-01

The use of spectrometry to provide information for neutron radiation protection has become an increasingly important activity over recent years. The need for spectral data arises because neither area survey instruments nor personal dosimeters give the correct dose equivalent results at all neutron energies. It is important therefore to know the spectra of the fields in which these devices are used. One of the systems most commonly employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry is the Bonner S...

Bonner sphere spectrometer for characterization of BNCT beam

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marek, Milan, E-mail: mam@nri.cz [Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Husinec 130, 25068 Husinec-Rez (Czech Republic); Viererbl, Ladislav [Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Husinec 130, 25068 Husinec-Rez (Czech Republic)

2011-12-15

The characterization of the epithermal beam is performed by different dosimetry techniques that give information on neutron flux as well as neutron and photon doses. One of the possible methods is based on the measurement of thermal neutrons in a moderation environment, which enables the evaluation of neutron flux in a group structure and also neutron dose. The advantage of such a spectrometer consists of the fact that 90% response intervals of the spheres continuously cover the epithermal part of the neutron energy range. The method has been applied to characterize the epithermal neutron beams at several research centers in USA, Finland, the Netherlands and Czech Republic. The comparison of the MIT FCB, HFR HB11, VTT FiR, and LVR-15 beam parameters is presented in this paper.

Results of neutron dose measurements at the Rossendorf research reactors taking the actual neutron spectra into account

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rimpler, A.; Kneschke, H.

1985-01-01

Based on a systematic evaluation of area dose studies at the beginning of the seventies, no individual routine neutron monitoring has been performed at the Rossendorf research reactors. To check this decision, a limited number of persons has been monitored with solid-state nuclear track detectors for several years. The dosemeters were calibrated on the basis of neutron spectra determined at the working places by means of the Bonner sphere method. Intermediate neutrons with a 1/E/sup α/ Fermi distribution were dominating. The fraction of fast neutrons was practically negligible. The obtained spectra, radiation, field quantities and results of individual dose measurements are presented. The dosemeter most appropriate for such neutron fields would be a 12-inch Bonner sphere rem counter. As the mean annual neutron exposure of research workers at the reactor amounted to only 2% of the maximum permissible dose, individual routine monitoring will, also in the future, not be neccessary. (author)

Development of a Geant4 application to characterise a prototype neutron detector based on three orthogonal 3He tubes inside an HDPE sphere.

Science.gov (United States)

Gracanin, V; Guatelli, S; Prokopovich, D; Rosenfeld, A B; Berry, A

2017-01-01

The Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) system is a well-established technique for neutron dosimetry that involves detection of thermal neutrons within a range of hydrogenous moderators. BSS detectors are often used to perform neutron field surveys in order to determine the ambient dose equivalent H*(10) and estimate health risk to personnel. There is a potential limitation of existing neutron survey techniques, since some detectors do not consider the direction of the neutron field, which can result in overly conservative estimates of dose in neutron fields. This paper shows the development of a Geant4 simulation application to characterise a prototype neutron detector based on three orthogonal 3 He tubes inside a single HDPE sphere built at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The Geant4 simulation has been validated with respect to experimental measurements performed with an Am-Be source. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A neutron spectrum unfolding computer code based on artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz-Rodríguez, J.M.; Reyes Alfaro, A.; Reyes Haro, A.; Cervantes Viramontes, J.M.; Vega-Carrillo, H.R.

2014-01-01

The Bonner Spheres Spectrometer consists of a thermal neutron sensor placed at the center of a number of moderating polyethylene spheres of different diameters. From the measured readings, information can be derived about the spectrum of the neutron field where measurements were made. Disadvantages of the Bonner system are the weight associated with each sphere and the need to sequentially irradiate the spheres, requiring long exposure periods. Provided a well-established response matrix and adequate irradiation conditions, the most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. The derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as a result of the measurements. The drawbacks associated with traditional unfolding procedures have motivated the need of complementary approaches. Novel methods based on Artificial Intelligence, mainly Artificial Neural Networks, have been widely investigated. In this work, a neutron spectrum unfolding code based on neural nets technology is presented. This code is called Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry with Artificial Neural networks unfolding code that was designed in a graphical interface. The core of the code is an embedded neural network architecture previously optimized using the robust design of artificial neural networks methodology. The main features of the code are: easy to use, friendly and intuitive to the user. This code was designed for a Bonner Sphere System based on a 6 LiI(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. The main feature of the code is that as entrance data, for unfolding the neutron spectrum, only seven rate counts measured with seven Bonner spheres are required; simultaneously the code calculates 15 dosimetric quantities as well as the total flux for radiation protection purposes. This code generates a full report with all information of the unfolding

BONDI-97 A novel neutron energy spectrum unfolding tool using a genetic algorithm

CERN Document Server

Mukherjee, B

1999-01-01

The neutron spectrum unfolding procedure using the count rate data obtained from a set of Bonner sphere neutron detectors requires the solution of the Fredholm integral equation of the first kind by using complex mathematical methods. This paper reports a new approach for the unfolding of neutron spectra using the Genetic Algorithm tool BONDI-97 (BOnner sphere Neutron DIfferentiation). The BONDI-97 was used as the input for Genetic Algorithm engine EVOLVER to search for a globally optimised solution vector from a population of randomly generated solutions. This solution vector corresponds to the unfolded neutron energy spectrum. The Genetic Algorithm engine emulates the Darwinian 'Survival of the Fittest' strategy, the key ingredient of the 'Theory of Evolution'. The spectra of sup 2 sup 4 sup 1 Am/Be (alpha,n) and sup 2 sup 3 sup 9 Pu/Be (alpha,n) neutron sources were unfolded using the BONDI-97 tool. (author)

Project ''REMAD'', Neutron spectrometry. Code ''SOHO - phase II''. First part ''FORMULATION''

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zaborowski, H.L.

1982-08-01

''SOHO'' is a new neutron spectrometric code with large potential applications besides the BONNER spheres system for which he has been initially developped. This code makes use of a new and original iteractive procedure for the search of approximate solutions from the Fredholm integral Equation of the First kind whose Resolution Function is experimentally and/or mathematically defined (e.g. the Log-Normal Hypothesis for the BONNER Spheres). Upon discretization of the Fredholm integral Equation we get systems of non-exact homogeneous linear equations: Q X = e whose approximate solutions are given when: Q X → 0. We show that the iterative procedure converges absolutely leading to the existence of the approximate solutions, independently of the kind of initialization used. For the applications to health physics of the BONNER sphere ''SOHO'' has been programmed on a HP - 41 CV calculator [fr

Measurements of thermal neutron fluence in the bunker of a cyclotron for PET isotope production; Medidas de fluencia de neutrones termicos en el bunker de un ciclotron de produccion de isotopos para PET

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mendez Villafane, R.; Sansoloni florit, F.; Lagares gonzalez, J. L.; Llop Roig, J.; Guerrero Araque, J. E.; Muniz Gutierrez, J. L.; Perez Morales, J. M.

2011-07-01

To measure the neutron spectrum has been used spectrometry system based on Bonner spheres with Au flakes as thermal neutron detector at its center while the results are still pending and will be analyzing another job.

Study of reproducibility of measurements with the spectrometer of Bonner multispheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Azevedo, G.A.; Pereira, W.W.; Patrao, K.C.S.; Fonseca, E.S.

2013-01-01

This work aims to study the metrological behavior of the Bonner Multisphere Spectrometer (BMS) of the LN / LNMRI / IRD - Laboratorio Metrologia de Neutrons / Laboratorio Nacional de Metrologia e Radiacao Ionizante / Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria, for measurements in repeatability and reproducibility conditions. Initially, a simulation was done by applying the Monte Carlo method, using the MCNP code and respecting the ISO 8529-1 (2001), using the sources of Californium ( 252 Cf), Americium-Beryllium ( 241 AmBe) and californium in heavy water (Cf + D 2 O), all located at a distance of 100 cm from the neutron detector ( 6 Li (Eu) - crystal scintillator). In this program, the counting of neutrons that are captured by the detector was made. The source is located in the center of a sphere of radius 300 cm. Analyzes the impact of these neutrons in a point of the sphere wall, which in this case acted as a neutron detector and from there, it is estimated the number of neutrons that collide in the whole sphere. The purpose is to obtain the neutron count for different energy bands in a solid field of neutrons, since they have a spectrum ranging from a low to a high energy that can also vary within a particular environment. Wishes to obtain new fields with different sources and moderators materials to be used as new reference fields. Measurements are being conducted for these fields, with the aim of analyzing the variability conditions of the measurement (repeatability and reproducibility) in LEN - Laboratorio de Espectrometria de Neutrons of the LN/LMNRI/IRD. Thus, the spectrometer will be used to improve both the knowledge of the spectrum as the standard of neutrons of the lab, proving that a spectrometry is essential for correct measurement

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry using NSDAAN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martinez B, M. R.; Vega C, H. R.; Ortiz R, J. M.

2009-10-01

The reconstruction of neutron spectra from count rates of a Bonner spheres spectrometric system is performed using various methods such as Monte Carlo methods, the parameterization and iterative methods. The weight of the Bonner spheres spectrometric system, the procedure for the reconstruction of the spectra, the need of an experienced user, the high consumer of time, the need of use a reconstruction code as the BUNKI, SAND, among others, and the resolution of the spectrum are some problems that this system presents. This has motivated the development of complementary procedures such as maximum entropy, genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks. In previous work, has reported a new method called robust design methodology of artificial neural networks, to construct various network topologies capable of solving the problems of neutron spectrometry and dosimetry, however, due to the newness of this technology, be noted that there are not tools to end-user that allow test and validate the designed networks. This paper presents a software for the neutron spectrometry and dosimetry, designed from the information extracted of an artificial neural network designed by robust design methodology of artificial neural networks. This tool has the following characteristics: was designed in a user graphical interface easy to use, requires not knowledge of neural networks or neutron spectrometry by the user; execution speed of the application; unlike the deconvolution codes are not required to select an initial spectrum for the spectrum reconstruction; as an additional element to this tool, besides the spectrum, the calculation is performed simultaneous to H(10), E, H p , s (10,θ) from just counting rates from a Bonner spheres spectrometric system. (author)

Testing a newly developed single-sphere neutron spectrometer in reference monochromatic fields from 147 keV to 14.8 MeV

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [INFN—LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Gómez-Ros, J.M. [INFN—LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Pola, A.; Introini, M.V. [Politecnico di Milano - Dipartimento di Energia, Via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milano (Italy); Bortot, D. [INFN—LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy); Politecnico di Milano - Dipartimento di Energia, Via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milano (Italy); Gentile, A.; Esposito, A.; Mazzitelli, G.; Buonomo, B.; Quintieri, L.; Foggetta, L. [INFN—LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Italy)

2013-06-21

A new neutron spectrometer, designed to simultaneously respond from the thermal domain up to hundreds of MeV neutrons, was designed and built in the framework of the INFN project NESCOFI@BTF. It has been called SP{sup 2} (SPherical SPectrometer) and it consists of 31 thermal neutron detectors embedded in a 25 cm diameter polyethylene sphere with an internal 1 cm thick lead shell. The new spectrometer shows similar performance as the Bonner sphere spectrometer, but has the notable advantage of requiring only one exposure to determine the whole spectrum. The SP{sup 2} response matrix, previously calculated with MCNP, has been experimentally evaluated with monochromatic reference neutron fields from 147 keV to 14.8 MeV at PTB Braunschweig. As suitable thermal neutron detectors, Dysprosium activation foils were adopted at this stage. The results of the experiment confirmed the correctness of the response matrix within an overall uncertainty of ±3%. The next phase of the NESCOFI@BTF project will be the replacement of passive detectors with active counters, thus leading to a real-time spectrometric monitor that is expected to significantly innovate the neutron control task in neutron-producing facilities, such as the beam-lines for industrial irradiation or condensed matter studies.

Reconstruction of neutron spectra through neural networks; Reconstruccion de espectros de neutrones mediante redes neuronales

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E. [Cuerpo Academico de Radiobiologia, Estudios Nucleares, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)] e-mail: rvega@cantera.reduaz.mx [and others

2003-07-01

A neural network has been used to reconstruct the neutron spectra starting from the counting rates of the detectors of the Bonner sphere spectrophotometric system. A group of 56 neutron spectra was selected to calculate the counting rates that would produce in a Bonner sphere system, with these data and the spectra it was trained the neural network. To prove the performance of the net, 12 spectra were used, 6 were taken of the group used for the training, 3 were obtained of mathematical functions and those other 3 correspond to real spectra. When comparing the original spectra of those reconstructed by the net we find that our net has a poor performance when reconstructing monoenergetic spectra, this attributes it to those characteristic of the spectra used for the training of the neural network, however for the other groups of spectra the results of the net are appropriate with the prospective ones. (Author)

The criteria for selecting a method for unfolding neutron spectra based on the information entropy theory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhu, Qingjun; Song, Fengquan; Ren, Jie; Chen, Xueyong; Zhou, Bin

2014-01-01

To further expand the application of an artificial neural network in the field of neutron spectrometry, the criteria for choosing between an artificial neural network and the maximum entropy method for the purpose of unfolding neutron spectra was presented. The counts of the Bonner spheres for IAEA neutron spectra were used as a database, and the artificial neural network and the maximum entropy method were used to unfold neutron spectra; the mean squares of the spectra were defined as the differences between the desired and unfolded spectra. After the information entropy of each spectrum was calculated using information entropy theory, the relationship between the mean squares of the spectra and the information entropy was acquired. Useful information from the information entropy guided the selection of unfolding methods. Due to the importance of the information entropy, the method for predicting the information entropy using the Bonner spheres' counts was established. The criteria based on the information entropy theory can be used to choose between the artificial neural network and the maximum entropy method unfolding methods. The application of an artificial neural network to unfold neutron spectra was expanded. - Highlights: • Two neutron spectra unfolding methods, ANN and MEM, were compared. • The spectrum's entropy offers useful information for selecting unfolding methods. • For the spectrum with low entropy, the ANN was generally better than MEM. • The spectrum's entropy was predicted based on the Bonner spheres' counts

Neutron Measurements for Radiation Protection in Low Earth Orbit - History and Future

Science.gov (United States)

Golightly, M. J.; Se,pmes. E/

2003-01-01

The neutron environment inside spacecraft has been of interest from a scientific and radiation protection perspective since early in the history of manned spaceflight. With 1:.1e exception of a few missions which carried plutonium-fueled radioisotope thermoelectric generators, all of the neutrons inside the spacecraft are secondary radiations resulting from interactions of high-energy charged particles with nuclei in the Earth's atmosphere, spacecraft structural materials, and the astronaut's own bodies. Although of great interest, definitive measurements of the spacecraft neutron field have been difficult due to the wide particle energy range and the limited available volume and power for traditional techniques involving Bonner spheres. A multitude of measurements, however, have been made of the neutron environment inside spacecraft. The majority of measurements were made using passive techniques including metal activation fo ils, fission foils, nuclear photoemulsions, plastic track detectors, and thermoluminescent detectors. Active measurements have utilized proton recoil spectrometers (stilbene), Bonner Spheres eRe proportional counter based), and LiI(Eu)phoswich scintillation detectors. For the International Space Station (ISS), only the plastic track! thermoluminescent detectors are used with any regularity. A monitoring program utilizing a set of active Bonner spheres was carried out in the ISS Lab module from March - December 200l. These measurements provide a very limited look at the crew neutron exposure, both in time coverage and neutron energy coverage. A review of the currently published data from past flights will be made and compared with the more recent results from the ISS. Future measurement efforts using currently available techniques and those in development will be also discussed.

Reconstruction of neutron spectra through neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.

2003-01-01

A neural network has been used to reconstruct the neutron spectra starting from the counting rates of the detectors of the Bonner sphere spectrophotometric system. A group of 56 neutron spectra was selected to calculate the counting rates that would produce in a Bonner sphere system, with these data and the spectra it was trained the neural network. To prove the performance of the net, 12 spectra were used, 6 were taken of the group used for the training, 3 were obtained of mathematical functions and those other 3 correspond to real spectra. When comparing the original spectra of those reconstructed by the net we find that our net has a poor performance when reconstructing monoenergetic spectra, this attributes it to those characteristic of the spectra used for the training of the neural network, however for the other groups of spectra the results of the net are appropriate with the prospective ones. (Author)

A new computation tool for neutron spectrometry and dosimetry; Una nueva herramiento de computo para la espectrometria y dosimetria de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martinez B, M. R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde No. 801, Col. Centro, Zacatecas (Mexico)], e-mail: mrosariomb@yahoo.com.mx

2009-10-15

By using the integrated accounts of spectrometric system of Bonner spheres is possible to reconstruct the neutron spectrum using various methods such as: Monte Carlo, the parameterization and iterative methods. The response matrix, counting rates and neutron spectrum are intimately related through the integral-differential of Fredholm of first type. however, the weight of Bonner spheres system, the procedure of spectra reconstruction, the need of a expert user, the high time consumption, the need to use a reconstruction code (BUNKI, SAND, among others) and the spectrum resolution, are some of problems that this system presents. The above difficulties have motivated the development of complementary procedures such as maximum entropy, genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks. In recent years, using neural network technology has become an alternative procedure in the nuclear science research area, considering a replacement for classical techniques used for years. In previous works, was used a new method called robust design methodology of artificial neural networks, to construct various network topologies capable of solving the problems of neutron spectrometry and dosimetry, however noted that not exist tools for end-user that allow test and validate the designed networks. This paper presents the development of a software for neutronic spectrometry and dosimetry, based on information extracted from an artificial neural network designed in previous work, through the robust design methodology of artificial neural networks with the following characteristics: was designed in a user graphical interface easy to use, speed on the application execution, unlike other deconvolution codes, not is necessary to select and initial spectrum for spectrum reconstruction, as an additional element to this tool, besides spectrum, the calculation is performed simultaneous of 13 equivalent dose from just counting rates from a spectrometric system of Bonner spheres. (Author)

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry with ANNs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.

2009-10-01

Artificial neural networks technology has been applied to unfold the neutron spectra and to calculate the effective dose, the ambient equivalent dose, and the personal dose equivalent for 252 Cf and 241 AmBe neutron sources. A Bonner sphere spectrometry with a 6 LiI(Eu) scintillator was utilized to measure the count rates of the spheres that were utilized as input in two artificial neural networks, one for spectrometry and another for dosimetry. Spectra and the ambient dose equivalent were also obtained with BUNKIUT code and the UTA4 response matrix. With both procedures spectra and ambient dose equivalent agrees in less than 10%. (author)

Artificial neural networks in neutron dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega-Carrillo, H. R.; Hernandez-Davila, V. M.; Manzanares-Acuna, E.; Mercado, G. A.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.; Perales-Munoz, W. A.; Robles-Rodriguez, J. A.

2006-01-01

An artificial neural network (ANN) has been designed to obtain neutron doses using only the count rates of a Bonner spheres spectrometer (BSS). Ambient, personal and effective neutron doses were included. One hundred and eighty-one neutron spectra were utilised to calculate the Bonner count rates and the neutron doses. The spectra were transformed from lethargy to energy distribution and were re-binned to 31 energy groups using the MCNP 4C code. Re-binned spectra, UTA4 response matrix and fluence-to-dose coefficients were used to calculate the count rates in the BSS and the doses. Count rates were used as input and the respective doses were used as output during neural network training. Training and testing were carried out in the MATLAB R environment. The impact of uncertainties in BSS count rates upon the dose quantities calculated with the ANN was investigated by modifying by ±5% the BSS count rates used in the training set. The use of ANNs in neutron dosimetry is an alternative procedure that overcomes the drawbacks associated with this ill-conditioned problem. (authors)

Sequential measurements of spectrum and dose for cosmic-ray neutrons on the ground

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hirabayashi, N.; Nunomiya, T.; Suzuki, H.; Nakamura, T.

2002-01-01

The earth is continually bathed in high-energy particles that come from outside the solar system, known as galactic cosmic rays. When these particles penetrate the magnetic fields of the solar system and the Earth and reach the Earth's atmosphere, they collide with atomic nuclei in air and secondary cosmic rays of every kind. On the other hand, levels of accumulation of the semiconductor increase recently, and the soft error that the cosmic-ray neutrons cause has been regarded as questionable. There have been long-term measurements of cosmic-ray neutron fluence at several places in the world, but no systematic study on cosmic-ray neutron spectrum measurements. This study aimed to measure the cosmic-ray neutron spectrum and dose on the ground during the solar maximum period of 2000 to 2002. Measurements have been continuing in a cabin of Tohoku University Kawauchi campus, by using five multi-moderator spectrometers (Bonner sphere), 12.7 cm diam by 12.7 cm long NE213 scintillator, and rem counter. The Bonner sphere uses a 5.08 cm diam spherical 3 He gas proportional counter and the rem counter uses a 12.7 cm diam 3 He gas counter. The neutron spectra were obtained by unfolding from the count rates measured with the Bonner sphere using the SAND code and the pulse height spectra measured with the NE213 scintillator using the FORIST code . The cosmic- ray neutron spectrum and ambient dose rates have been measured sequentially from April 2001. Furthermore, the correlation between ambient dose rate and the atmospheric pressure was investigated with a barometer. We are also very much interested in the variation of neutron spectrum following big solar flares. From the sequential measurements, we found that the cosmic-ray neutron spectrum has two peaks at around 1 MeV and at around 100 MeV, and the higher energy peak increases with a big solar flare

Training of reverse propagation neural networks applied to neutron dosimetry; Entrenamiento de redes neuronales de propagacion inversa aplicadas a la dosimetria de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hernandez P, C. F.; Martinez B, M. R.; Leon P, A. A.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Castaneda M, V. H.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Ortiz R, M.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde 801, Col. Centro, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico); Mendez V, R. [Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas, Laboratorio de Patrones Neutronicos, Av. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Gallego, E. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, ETSI Industriales, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain); De Sousa L, M. A. [Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear / CNEN, Av. Pte. Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil)

2016-10-15

Neutron dosimetry is of great importance in radiation protection as aims to provide dosimetric quantities to assess the magnitude of detrimental health effects due to exposure of neutron radiation. To quantify detriment to health is necessary to evaluate the dose received by the occupationally exposed personnel using different detection systems called dosimeters, which have very dependent responses to the energy distribution of neutrons. The neutron detection is a much more complex problem than the detection of charged particles, since it does not carry an electric charge, does not cause direct ionization and has a greater penetration power giving the possibility of interacting with matter in a different way. Because of this, various neutron detection systems have been developed, among which the Bonner spheres spectrometric system stands out due to the advantages that possesses, such as a wide range of energy, high sensitivity and easy operation. However, once obtained the counting rates, the problem lies in the neutron spectrum deconvolution, necessary for the calculation of the doses, using different mathematical methods such as Monte Carlo, maximum entropy, iterative methods among others, which present various difficulties that have motivated the development of new technologies. Nowadays, methods based on artificial intelligence technologies are being used to perform neutron dosimetry, mainly using the theory of artificial neural networks. In these new methods the need for spectrum reconstruction can be eliminated for the calculation of the doses. In this work an artificial neural network or reverse propagation was trained for the calculation of 15 equivalent doses from the counting rates of the Bonner spheres spectrometric system using a set of 7 spheres, one of 2 spheres and two of a single sphere of different sizes, testing different error values until finding the most appropriate. The optimum network topology was obtained through the robust design

A passive Bonner sphere spectrometer for in-flight neutron spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hajek, M.; Berger, T.; Vana, N.

2003-01-01

The neutron energy spectrum was measured onboard a series of four return flights between Cologne (Germany) and Washington, DC (USA) during the solar minimum conditions of June/July 1996. This experiment was world-wide the first determination of the neutron spectrum by passive spectrometry methods onboard an aircraft. The project was conducted with the support of the German Airforce which reserved two seat rows in the front of an Airbus A 310-304 for the passive BSS. The count rates were computed according to the Pair Method and unfolded with MAXED. Obtained spectrum shows two relative maxima around 1 and 100 MeV, the second of which cannot be completely assessed by the applied BSS. The agreement between measurement and calculation proved to be excellent

Design of a system for neutrons dosimetry; Diseno de un sistema para dosimetria de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ceron, P.; Rivera, T. [IPN, Centro de Investigacion en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Legaria No. 694, Col. Irrigacion, 11500 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Paredes G, L. [ININ, Carretera Mexico-Toluca s/n, 52750 Ocoyoacac, Estado de Mexico (Mexico); Azorin, J. [Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, 09340 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Sanchez, A. [IPN, Escuela Superior de Fisica y Matematicas, Av. Instituto Politecnico Nacional s/n, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07738 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Vega C, H. R., E-mail: victceronr@hotmail.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2014-08-15

At the present time diverse systems of detection of neutrons exist, as proportional counters based on BF{sub 3}, He{sub 3} and spectrometers of Bonner spheres. However, the cost and the complexity of the implementation of these systems put them far from the reach for dosimetric purposes. For these reasons a system of neutrons detection composed by a medium paraffin moderator that forms a 4π (spheres) arrangement and of several couples of thermoluminescent dosimeters TLD 600/TLD 700. The response of the system presents a minor repeatability to 5% in several assays when being irradiated with a {sup 239}PuBe source and a deviation of 13.8% in the Tl readings of four different spheres. The calibration factor of the system with regard to the neutrons source which was of 56.2 p Sv/nc also was calculated. These detectors will be used as passive monitors of photoneutrons in a radiotherapy room with lineal accelerator of high energy. (Author)

Attenuation of fast neutron in concretes for biological shielding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Labrada, A.; Chavez, A.; Gonzalez Mateu, D.; Desdin, F.; Tenjeiro, J.I.; Tellez, E.

1993-01-01

The attenuation of neutrons emitted by an 10 6 n/s. Am-Be source, in concretes elaborated with different aggregates is discussed in this paper. Two measurement methods were used an dosimetric system with Bonner spheres and 6 LiI(Eu) detector, and LAVSAN dielectric nuclear track detectors - with 238 U converts. The concretes elaborated with magnetite is reported as the best for neutron shielding while the Bauxite is not advisable for this purpose

Training of reverse propagation neural networks applied to neutron dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez P, C. F.; Martinez B, M. R.; Leon P, A. A.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Castaneda M, V. H.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Ortiz R, M.; Vega C, H. R.; Mendez V, R.; Gallego, E.; De Sousa L, M. A.

2016-10-01

Neutron dosimetry is of great importance in radiation protection as aims to provide dosimetric quantities to assess the magnitude of detrimental health effects due to exposure of neutron radiation. To quantify detriment to health is necessary to evaluate the dose received by the occupationally exposed personnel using different detection systems called dosimeters, which have very dependent responses to the energy distribution of neutrons. The neutron detection is a much more complex problem than the detection of charged particles, since it does not carry an electric charge, does not cause direct ionization and has a greater penetration power giving the possibility of interacting with matter in a different way. Because of this, various neutron detection systems have been developed, among which the Bonner spheres spectrometric system stands out due to the advantages that possesses, such as a wide range of energy, high sensitivity and easy operation. However, once obtained the counting rates, the problem lies in the neutron spectrum deconvolution, necessary for the calculation of the doses, using different mathematical methods such as Monte Carlo, maximum entropy, iterative methods among others, which present various difficulties that have motivated the development of new technologies. Nowadays, methods based on artificial intelligence technologies are being used to perform neutron dosimetry, mainly using the theory of artificial neural networks. In these new methods the need for spectrum reconstruction can be eliminated for the calculation of the doses. In this work an artificial neural network or reverse propagation was trained for the calculation of 15 equivalent doses from the counting rates of the Bonner spheres spectrometric system using a set of 7 spheres, one of 2 spheres and two of a single sphere of different sizes, testing different error values until finding the most appropriate. The optimum network topology was obtained through the robust design

Investigation of Response of Several Neutron Surveymeters by a DT Neutron Generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Sang In; Jang, In Su; Kim, Jang Lyul; Lee, Jung IL; Kim, Bong Hwan

2012-01-01

Several neutron measuring devices were tested under the neutron fields characterized with two distinct kinds of thermal and fast neutron spectrum. These neutron fields were constructed by the mixing of both thermal neutron fields and fast neutron fields. The thermal neutron field was constructed using by a graphite pile with eight AmBe neutron sources. The fast neutron field of 14 MeV was made by a DT neutron generator. In order to change the fraction of fast neutron fluence rate in each neutron fields, a neutron generator was placed in the thermal neutron field at 50 cm and 150 cm from the reference position. The polyethylene neutron collimator was used to make moderated 14 MeV neutron field. These neutron spectra were measured by using a Bonner sphere system with an LiI scintillator, and dosimetric quantities delivered to neutron surveymeters were determined from these measurement results.

Procedure to measure the neutrons spectrum around a lineal accelerator for radiotherapy; Procedimiento para medir el espectro de los neutrones en torno a un acelerador lineal para radioterapia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Letechipia de L, C. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98060 Zacatecas (Mexico); Benites R, J. L. [Servicios de Salud de Nayarit, Centro Estatal de Cancerologia, Calzada de la Cruz 116 Sur, 63000 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico); Salas L, M. A., E-mail: fermineutron@yahoo.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Agronomia, Apdo. Postal 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2013-10-15

An experimental procedure was developed, by means of Bonner spheres, to measure the neutrons spectrum around Linacs of medical use that only requires of a single shot of the accelerator; to this procedure we denominate Planetary or Isocentric method. One of the problems associated to the neutrons spectrum measurement in a radiotherapy room with lineal accelerator is because inside the room a mixed, intense and pulsed radiation field takes place affecting the detection systems based on active detector; this situation is solved using a passive detector. In the case of the Bonner spheres spectrometer the active detector has been substituted by activation detectors, trace detectors or thermoluminescent dosimeters. This spectrometer uses several spheres that are situated one at a time in the measurement point, this way to have the complete measurements group the accelerator should be operated, under the same conditions, so many times like spheres have the spectrometer, this activity can consume a long time and in occasions due to the work load of Linac to complicate the measurement process too. The procedure developed in this work consisted on to situate all the spectrometer spheres at the same time and to make the reading by means of a single shot, to be able to apply this procedure, is necessary that before the measurements two characteristics are evaluated: the cross-talking of the spheres and the symmetry conditions of the neutron field. This method has been applied to determine the photo-neutrons spectrum produced by a lineal accelerator of medical use Varian ix of 15 MV to 100 cm of the isocenter located to 5 cm of depth of a solid water mannequin of 30 x 30 x 15 cm. The spectrum was used to determine the total flow and the environmental dose equivalent. (Author)

Neutron spectrum survey around the cyclotron of IEN/Brazilian CNEN: calibration of neutron personnel dosemeter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fajardo, P.W.

1991-01-01

The albedo neutron dosimeter is calibrated directly at the work place due to its high energy dependence. This thesis deals with the study, analysis and application of neutron measurement techniques in order to obtain information about the neutron spectrum and neutron dose equivalent at several representative working places of the cyclotron laboratory of the Nuclear Engineering Institute (IEN). These data are employed mainly in the calibration of the brazilian albedo neutron dosimeter. Bonner spheres and foil activation were used in neutron spectra measurements and the neutron dose equivalents were measured with the single sphere albedo technique. BF 3 and 3 He proportional detectors and 6 LiI scintillation detector were also used in these measurements. The single sphere technique turned out to be more appropriate for neutron dosimetry for calibrating the albedo dosimeter in the varying fields of the cyclotron. Calibration the albedo dosimeter in the varying fields of the cyclotron. Calibration factors were found for routine applications, when the workers are protected by shielding and for radiological accident applications, in the case that a worker is exposed inside the cyclotron room. In all situations the performance of the brazilian albedo dosimeter is compared with that of the german albedo dosimeters. (author)

Calibration of neutrons monitors with moderators and application in the calibration factors of albedo dosemeters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schuch, L.A.

1978-11-01

The calibration factors and the reproducibility of an Albedo Dosimeter designed for personal neutron monitoring were determined. These factor were obtained simulating the dosimeter reading and the equivalent dose in the locality by a convenient combination of responses of the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer. The results obtained in the simulation were verified experimentally for different spectra employing the Am-Be, bare 252 Cf source and 253 Cf source with graphite sields of varying thickness. Different standards were used in the procedures necessary for the determination of the calibration factors. An Am-Be neutron source, standardized by the activation of a manganese sulphate bath was used as a primary standard. As a secondary standard, for the measurement of the neutron fluence, a De Pangher Long Counter was used and the scattering effects were determined using the shadow cone method. The other monitors such as the Rem-Counter and the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer were also calibrated with reference to the secondary standard with a view to comparing the results obtained with those furnished by the Albedo Dosimeter. (Author) [pt

Unfolding code for neutron spectrometry based on neural nets technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.

2012-10-01

The most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. The derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as a result of the measurements. The drawbacks associated with traditional unfolding procedures have motivated the need of complementary approaches. Novel methods based on Artificial Neural Networks have been widely investigated. In this work, a neutron spectrum unfolding code based on neural nets technology is presented. This unfolding code called Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry by means of Artificial Neural Networks was designed in a graphical interface under LabVIEW programming environment. The core of the code is an embedded neural network architecture, previously optimized by the R obust Design of Artificial Neural Networks Methodology . The main features of the code are: is easy to use, friendly and intuitive to the user. This code was designed for a Bonner Sphere System based on a 6 Lil(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. The main feature of the code is that as entrance data, only seven rate counts measurement with a Bonner spheres spectrometer are required for simultaneously unfold the 60 energy bins of the neutron spectrum and to calculate 15 dosimetric quantities, for radiation protection porpoises. This code generates a full report in html format with all relevant information. (Author)

Procedure to measure the neutrons spectrum around a lineal accelerator for radiotherapy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Letechipia de L, C.; Benites R, J. L.; Salas L, M. A.

2013-10-01

An experimental procedure was developed, by means of Bonner spheres, to measure the neutrons spectrum around Linacs of medical use that only requires of a single shot of the accelerator; to this procedure we denominate Planetary or Isocentric method. One of the problems associated to the neutrons spectrum measurement in a radiotherapy room with lineal accelerator is because inside the room a mixed, intense and pulsed radiation field takes place affecting the detection systems based on active detector; this situation is solved using a passive detector. In the case of the Bonner spheres spectrometer the active detector has been substituted by activation detectors, trace detectors or thermoluminescent dosimeters. This spectrometer uses several spheres that are situated one at a time in the measurement point, this way to have the complete measurements group the accelerator should be operated, under the same conditions, so many times like spheres have the spectrometer, this activity can consume a long time and in occasions due to the work load of Linac to complicate the measurement process too. The procedure developed in this work consisted on to situate all the spectrometer spheres at the same time and to make the reading by means of a single shot, to be able to apply this procedure, is necessary that before the measurements two characteristics are evaluated: the cross-talking of the spheres and the symmetry conditions of the neutron field. This method has been applied to determine the photo-neutrons spectrum produced by a lineal accelerator of medical use Varian ix of 15 MV to 100 cm of the isocenter located to 5 cm of depth of a solid water mannequin of 30 x 30 x 15 cm. The spectrum was used to determine the total flow and the environmental dose equivalent. (Author)

Design of a system for neutrons dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ceron, P.; Rivera, T.; Paredes G, L.; Azorin, J.; Sanchez, A.; Vega C, H. R.

2014-08-01

At the present time diverse systems of detection of neutrons exist, as proportional counters based on BF 3 , He 3 and spectrometers of Bonner spheres. However, the cost and the complexity of the implementation of these systems put them far from the reach for dosimetric purposes. For these reasons a system of neutrons detection composed by a medium paraffin moderator that forms a 4π (spheres) arrangement and of several couples of thermoluminescent dosimeters TLD 600/TLD 700. The response of the system presents a minor repeatability to 5% in several assays when being irradiated with a 239 PuBe source and a deviation of 13.8% in the Tl readings of four different spheres. The calibration factor of the system with regard to the neutrons source which was of 56.2 p Sv/nc also was calculated. These detectors will be used as passive monitors of photoneutrons in a radiotherapy room with lineal accelerator of high energy. (Author)

Neutron dosimetry; Dosimetria de neutrons

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fratin, Luciano

1993-12-31

A neutron irradiation facility was designed and built in order to establish a procedure for calibrating neutron monitors and dosemeters. A 185 GBq {sup 241} Am Be source of known is used as a reference source. The irradiation facility using this source in the air provides neutron dose rates between 9 nSv s{sup -1} and 0,5 {sup {mu}}Sv s{sup -1}. A calibrated 50 nSv s{sup -1} thermal neutron field is obtained by using a specially designed paraffin block in conjunction with the {sup 241} Am Be source. A Bonner multisphere spectrometer was calibrated, using a procedure based on three methods proposed by international standards. The unfold {sup 241} Am Be neutron spectrum was determined from the Bonner spheres data and resulted in a good agreement with expected values for fluence rate, dose rate and mean energy. A dosimetric system based on the electrochemical etching of CR-39 was developed for personal dosimetry. The dosemeter badge using a (n,{alpha}) converter, the etching chamber and high frequency power supply were designed and built specially for this project. The electrochemical etching (ECE) parameters used were: a 6N KOH solution, 59 deg C, 20 kV{sub pp} cm{sup -1}, 2,0 kHz, 3 hours of ECE for thermal and intermediate neutrons and 6 hours for fast neutrons. The calibration factors for thermal, intermediate and fast neutrons were determined for this personal dosemeter. The sensitivities determined for the developed dosimetric system were (1,46{+-} 0,09) 10{sup 4} tracks cm{sup -2} mSv{sup -1} for thermal neutrons, (9{+-}3) 10{sup 2} tracks cm{sup -2} mSV{sup -1} for intermediate neutrons and (26{+-}4) tracks cm{sup -2} mSv{sup -1} for fast neutrons. The lower and upper limits of detection were respectively 0,002 mSv and 0,6 mSv for thermal neutrons, 0,04 mSv and 8 mSv for intermediate neutrons and 1 mSv and 12 mSv for fast neutrons. In view of the 1990`s ICRP recommendations, it is possible to conclude that the personal dosemeter described in this work is

Neutron dosimetry; Dosimetria de neutrons

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fratin, Luciano

1994-12-31

A neutron irradiation facility was designed and built in order to establish a procedure for calibrating neutron monitors and dosemeters. A 185 GBq {sup 241} Am Be source of known is used as a reference source. The irradiation facility using this source in the air provides neutron dose rates between 9 nSv s{sup -1} and 0,5 {sup {mu}}Sv s{sup -1}. A calibrated 50 nSv s{sup -1} thermal neutron field is obtained by using a specially designed paraffin block in conjunction with the {sup 241} Am Be source. A Bonner multisphere spectrometer was calibrated, using a procedure based on three methods proposed by international standards. The unfold {sup 241} Am Be neutron spectrum was determined from the Bonner spheres data and resulted in a good agreement with expected values for fluence rate, dose rate and mean energy. A dosimetric system based on the electrochemical etching of CR-39 was developed for personal dosimetry. The dosemeter badge using a (n,{alpha}) converter, the etching chamber and high frequency power supply were designed and built specially for this project. The electrochemical etching (ECE) parameters used were: a 6N KOH solution, 59 deg C, 20 kV{sub pp} cm{sup -1}, 2,0 kHz, 3 hours of ECE for thermal and intermediate neutrons and 6 hours for fast neutrons. The calibration factors for thermal, intermediate and fast neutrons were determined for this personal dosemeter. The sensitivities determined for the developed dosimetric system were (1,46{+-} 0,09) 10{sup 4} tracks cm{sup -2} mSv{sup -1} for thermal neutrons, (9{+-}3) 10{sup 2} tracks cm{sup -2} mSV{sup -1} for intermediate neutrons and (26{+-}4) tracks cm{sup -2} mSv{sup -1} for fast neutrons. The lower and upper limits of detection were respectively 0,002 mSv and 0,6 mSv for thermal neutrons, 0,04 mSv and 8 mSv for intermediate neutrons and 1 mSv and 12 mSv for fast neutrons. In view of the 1990`s ICRP recommendations, it is possible to conclude that the personal dosemeter described in this work is

Calibration of PADC-based neutron area dosemeters in the neutron field produced in the treatment room of a medical LINAC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, R.; Domingo, C.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A.; García-Fusté, M.J.; San-Pedro, M. de; Tana, L.; D’Errico, F.; Ciolini, R.; Di Fulvio, A.

2013-01-01

PADC-based nuclear track detectors have been widely used as convenient ambient dosemeters in many working places. However, due to the large energy dependence of their response in terms of ambient dose equivalent (H ∗ (10)) and to the diversity of workplace fields in terms of energy distribution, the appropriate calibration of these dosemeters is a delicate task. These are among the reasons why ISO has introduced the 12789 Series of Standards, where the simulated workplace neutron fields are introduced and their use to calibrate neutron dosemeters is recommended. This approach was applied in the present work to the UAB PADC-based nuclear track detectors. As a suitable workplace, the treatment room of a 15 MV Varian CLINAC DHX medical accelerator, located in the Ospedale S. Chiara (Pisa), was chosen. Here the neutron spectra in two points of tests (1.5 m and 2 m from the isocenter) were determined with the INFN-LNF Bonner Sphere Spectrometer equipped with Dysprosium activation foils (Dy-BSS), and the values of H ∗ (10) were derived on this basis. The PADC dosemeters were exposed in these points. Their workplace specific H*(10) responses were determined and compared with those previously obtained in different simulated workplace or reference (ISO 8529) neutron fields. - Highlights: ► The neutron field of a medical LINAC was used to calibrate PADC neutron dosemeters. ► The neutron spectra were derived with a Dy-foil based Bonner Sphere Spectrometer. ► Workplace specific calibration factor were derived for the PADC dosemeters. ► These factors were compared with those obtained in reference neutron fields

Dosimetry Characterization of the Neutron Fields of the Intermediate Temporary Storage of the Trillo Nuclear Power Plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Campo Blanco, X.

2015-01-01

The Neutron Standards Laboratory of CIEMAT, in collaboration with the Trillo Nuclear Power Plant, has conducted a detailed dosimetric and spectrometric characterization of the neutron fields at the Intermediate Temporary Storage of the Trillo Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the neutron fields of ENSA-DPT spent fuel casks. For neutron measurements, neutron monitors and a Bonner spheres spectrometry system have been used. In addition, a Monte Carlo model of the installation and the cask has been developed and validated.

Measurements of fusion neutron multiplication in spherical beryllium shells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Giese, H.; Kappler, F.; Tayama, R.; Moellendorff, U. von; Alevra, A.; Klein, H.

1996-01-01

New results of spherical-shell transmission measurements with 14-MeV neutrons on pure beryllium shells up to 17 cm thick are reported. The spectral flux above 3 MeV was measured using a liquid scintillation detector. At 17 cm thickness, also the total neutron multiplication was measured using a Bonner sphere system. The results agree well with calculations using beryllium nuclear data from the EFF-1 or the ENDF/B-Vi library. (author). 23 refs, 4 figs, 1 tab

Simulated workplace neutron fields

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lacoste, V.; Taylor, G.; Rottger, S.

2011-01-01

The use of simulated workplace neutron fields, which aim at replicating radiation fields at practical workplaces, is an alternative solution for the calibration of neutron dosemeters. They offer more appropriate calibration coefficients when the mean fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficients of the simulated and practical fields are comparable. Intensive Monte Carlo modelling work has become quite indispensable for the design and/or the characterization of the produced mixed neutron/photon fields, and the use of Bonner sphere systems and proton recoil spectrometers is also mandatory for a reliable experimental determination of the neutron fluence energy distribution over the whole energy range. The establishment of a calibration capability with a simulated workplace neutron field is not an easy task; to date only few facilities are available as standard calibration fields. (authors)

Study of neutron moderation using the {sup 241}Am-Be spectrum with hydrogenated materials; Estudo da moderacao de neutrons utilizando o espectro de {sup 241}Am-Be com materiais hidrogenados

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Santos, A.R.L.; Silva, F.S.; Martins, M.M.; Pereira, W.W., E-mail: aleiras@ird.gov.br [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ/LNMRI/LN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Lab. de Neutrons; Freitas, B.M. [Coordenacao dos Programas de Pos-Graduacao em Engenharia (COPPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Programa de Engenharia Nuclear; Tavares, D.Y.S. [Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil)

2014-07-01

This work intends to assess materials for moderation of neutrons, trying to reduce the rate of H{sub p}(10) and H⁎p(10), reducing the effective dose of Occupationally Exposed Workers (OEW) who handle this source daily. The neutron spectra moderated by different materials was performed with a neutron source of {sup 241}Am-Be in an electronic positioning system, using a neutron spectrometry with Bonner Sphere at 50 cm from the center of source. The materials used for moderation were paraffin, silicone and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin ball. (author)

Unfolding code for neutron spectrometry based on neural nets technology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R., E-mail: morvymm@yahoo.com.mx [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica, Apdo. Postal 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2012-10-15

The most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. The derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as a result of the measurements. The drawbacks associated with traditional unfolding procedures have motivated the need of complementary approaches. Novel methods based on Artificial Neural Networks have been widely investigated. In this work, a neutron spectrum unfolding code based on neural nets technology is presented. This unfolding code called Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry by means of Artificial Neural Networks was designed in a graphical interface under LabVIEW programming environment. The core of the code is an embedded neural network architecture, previously optimized by the {sup R}obust Design of Artificial Neural Networks Methodology{sup .} The main features of the code are: is easy to use, friendly and intuitive to the user. This code was designed for a Bonner Sphere System based on a {sup 6}Lil(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. The main feature of the code is that as entrance data, only seven rate counts measurement with a Bonner spheres spectrometer are required for simultaneously unfold the 60 energy bins of the neutron spectrum and to calculate 15 dosimetric quantities, for radiation protection porpoises. This code generates a full report in html format with all relevant information. (Author)

Spectral fluence of neutrons generated by radiotherapeutic Linacs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kralik, Miloslav; Solc, Jaroslav; Smoldasova, Jana; Vondracek, Vladimir; Farkasova, Estera; Ticha, Ivana

2015-01-01

Spectral fluences of neutrons generated in the heads of the radiotherapeutic linacs Varian Clinac 2100 C/D and Siemens ARTISTE were measured by means of the Bonner spheres spectrometer whose active detector of thermal neutrons was replaced by an activation detector, i.e. a tablet made of pure manganese. Measurements with different collimator settings reveal an interesting dependence of neutron fluence on the area defined by the collimator jaws. The determined neutron spectral fluences were used to derive ambient dose equivalent rate along the treatment coach. To clarify at which components of the linac neutrons are mainly created, the measurements were complemented with MCNPX calculations based on a realistic model of the Varian Clinac. (authors)

Spectrum and H(10) of secondary neutrons around Linacs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz H, A.; Hernandez A, B.; Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Rivera M, T.

2009-10-01

Neutron spectrum and ambient dose equivalent has been measured around two 10 MV linear accelerators. Accelerators are Siemens, one is a Mevatron model while another is the Primus. Main differences between those models are the beam collimator and the vault room. Here, Bonner sphere spectrometer with a passive thermal neutron detector has been utilized to measure the neutron spectrum inside the vault. Using an active detector the neutron spectrum was measured by the vaults door of both accelerators. With a neutron area monitor the dose equivalent was measured by the doors. Neutron strength, total fluence rate and ambient dose equivalent were compared, from this was found that shielding conditions are better in the Primus model. (Author)

Electro neutrons around a 12 MV Linac

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Perez L, L. H.

2012-10-01

Neutron contamination around Linacs for radiotherapy is a source of undesirable doses for the patient. The main source of these neutrons is the photonuclear reactions occurring in the Linac head and the patient body. Electrons also produce neutrons through (e, en) reactions. This reaction is known as electro disintegration and is carried out by the electron scattering that produce a virtual photon that is absorbed by the scattering nucleus producing the reaction e + A → (A-1) + n + e'. In this work the electron-neutron spectrum to 100 cm from the isocenter of a 12 MV Linac has been measured using a passive Bonner spheres spectrometer in a novel procedure named Planetary mode. (Author)

Evaluation of room-scattered neutrons at the JNC Tokai neutron reference field

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yoshida, Tadayoshi; Tsujimura, Norio [Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Inst., Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Tokai Works; Oyanagi, Katsumi [Japan Radiation Engineering Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ibaraki (Japan)

2002-09-01

Neutron reference fields for calibrating neutron-measuring devices in JNC Tokai Works are produced by using radionuclide neutron sources, {sup 241}Am-Be and {sup 252}Cf sources. The reference field for calibration includes scattered neutrons from the material surrounding sources, wall, floor and ceiling of the irradiation room. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate the scattered neutrons contribution and their energy spectra at reference points. Spectral measurements were performed with a set of Bonner multi-sphere spectrometers and the reference fields were characterized in terms of spectral composition and the fractions of room-scattered neutrons. In addition, two techniques stated in ISO 10647, the shadow-cone method and the polynomial fit method, for correcting the contributions from the room-scattered neutrons to the readings of neutron survey instruments were compared. It was found that the two methods gave an equivalent result within a deviation of 3.3% at a source-to-detector distance from 50cm to 500cm. (author)

Evaluation of room-scattered neutrons at the JNC Tokai neutron reference field

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoshida, Tadayoshi; Tsujimura, Norio

2002-01-01

Neutron reference fields for calibrating neutron-measuring devices in JNC Tokai Works are produced by using radionuclide neutron sources, 241 Am-Be and 252 Cf sources. The reference field for calibration includes scattered neutrons from the material surrounding sources, wall, floor and ceiling of the irradiation room. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate the scattered neutrons contribution and their energy spectra at reference points. Spectral measurements were performed with a set of Bonner multi-sphere spectrometers and the reference fields were characterized in terms of spectral composition and the fractions of room-scattered neutrons. In addition, two techniques stated in ISO 10647, the shadow-cone method and the polynomial fit method, for correcting the contributions from the room-scattered neutrons to the readings of neutron survey instruments were compared. It was found that the two methods gave an equivalent result within a deviation of 3.3% at a source-to-detector distance from 50cm to 500cm. (author)

Measuring Neutron Spectrum at MIT Research Reactor Utilizing He-3 Bonner Cylinder Approach with an Unfolding Analysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leder, A. [MIT; Anderson, A. J. [Chicago U., KICP; Billard, J. [Lyon, IPN; Figueroa-Feliciano, E. [Northwestern U.; Formaggio, J. A. [MIT; Hasselkus, C. [Wisconsin U., Madison; Newman, E. [MIT; Palladino, K. [Wisconsin U., Madison; Phuthi, M. [MIT; Winslow, L. [MIT; Zhang, L. [MIT

2017-10-02

The Ricochet experiment seeks to measure Coherent (neutral-current) Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering using dark-matter-style detectors with sub-keV thresholds placed near a neutrino source, such as the MIT (research) Reactor (MITR), which operates at 5.5 MW generating approximately 2.2e18 neutrinos/second at the core. Currently, Ricochet is characterizing the backgrounds at MITR, the main component of which comes in the form of neutrons emitted from the core simultaneous with the neutrino signal. To characterize this background, we wrapped a Bonner cylinder around a He-3 thermal neutron detector, whose data was then unfolded to produce a neutron energy spectrum across several orders of magnitude. We discuss the resulting spectrum and its implications for deploying Ricochet in the future at the MITR site as well as the feasibility of reducing this background level via the addition of polyethylene shielding around the detector setup.

Neutron field inside a PET Cyclotron vault room

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Mendez, R.; Iniguez, M.P.; Climent, J.M.; Penuelas, I.; Barquero, R.

2006-01-01

The neutron field around a Positron Emission Tomography cyclotron was investigated during 18 F radioisotope production with an 18 MeV proton beam. In this study the Ion Beam Application cyclotron, model Cyclone 18/9, was utilized. Measurements were carried out with a Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer with pairs of thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD600 and TLD700) as thermal neutron detector. The TLDs readouts were utilized to unfold the neutron spectra at three different positions inside the cyclotron's vault room. With the spectra the Ambient dose equivalent was calculated. Neutron spectra unfolding were performed with the BUNKIUT code and the UTA4 response matrix. Neutron spectra were also determined by Monte Carlo calculations using a detailed model of cyclotron and vault room. (Author)

A neutron spectrum unfolding code based on generalized regression artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Martinez B, M. R.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O.; Vega C, H. R.

2015-10-01

The most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. Then derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as result of the measurements. Novel methods based on Artificial Neural Networks have been widely investigated. In prior works, back propagation neural networks (BPNN) have been used to solve the neutron spectrometry problem, however, some drawbacks still exist using this kind of neural nets, as the optimum selection of the network topology and the long training time. Compared to BPNN, is usually much faster to train a generalized regression neural network (GRNN). That is mainly because spread constant is the only parameter used in GRNN. Another feature is that the network will converge to a global minimum. In addition, often are more accurate than BPNN in prediction. These characteristics make GRNN be of great interest in the neutron spectrometry domain. In this work is presented a computational tool based on GRNN, capable to solve the neutron spectrometry problem. This computational code, automates the pre-processing, training and testing stages, the statistical analysis and the post-processing of the information, using 7 Bonner spheres rate counts as only entrance data. The code was designed for a Bonner Spheres System based on a 6 LiI(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. (Author)

A neutron spectrum unfolding code based on generalized regression artificial neural networks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Martinez B, M. R.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde 801, Col. Centro, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico); Vega C, H. R., E-mail: morvymm@yahoo.com.mx [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico)

2015-10-15

The most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. Then derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as result of the measurements. Novel methods based on Artificial Neural Networks have been widely investigated. In prior works, back propagation neural networks (BPNN) have been used to solve the neutron spectrometry problem, however, some drawbacks still exist using this kind of neural nets, as the optimum selection of the network topology and the long training time. Compared to BPNN, is usually much faster to train a generalized regression neural network (GRNN). That is mainly because spread constant is the only parameter used in GRNN. Another feature is that the network will converge to a global minimum. In addition, often are more accurate than BPNN in prediction. These characteristics make GRNN be of great interest in the neutron spectrometry domain. In this work is presented a computational tool based on GRNN, capable to solve the neutron spectrometry problem. This computational code, automates the pre-processing, training and testing stages, the statistical analysis and the post-processing of the information, using 7 Bonner spheres rate counts as only entrance data. The code was designed for a Bonner Spheres System based on a {sup 6}LiI(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. (Author)

Neutron radiation field due to 6.6 MeV/amu 58Ni ions bombarding a thick Cu target

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aleinikov, V.E.; Cherevatenko, A.P.; Clapier, F.B.; Tsovbun, V.I.

1985-01-01

The angular distribution of the dose equivalent rate and neutron spectra were obtained using the Bonner sphere spectrometry method. The quality factor was measured by a tissue-equivalent Rem-2 chamber at several angles. The agreement between the results of the measurements and an empirical parameterisation of the angular distribution is satisfactory. The total yield is estimated to be 1.6+-0.4x10 -3 neutrons per heavy ion. (author)

Neutron fluence spectrometry using disk activation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Loevestam, Goeran; Hult, Mikael; Fessler, Andreas; Gasparro, Joel; Kockerols, Pierre; Okkinga, Klaas; Tagziria, Hamid; Vanhavere, Filip; Wieslander, J.S. Elisabeth

2009-01-01

A simple and robust detector for spectrometry of environmental neutrons has been developed. The technique is based on neutron activation of a series of different metal disks followed by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry of the activated disks and subsequent neutron spectrum unfolding. The technique is similar to foil activation but here the applied neutron fluence rates are much lower than usually in the case of foil activation. The detector has been tested in quasi mono-energetic neutron fields with fluence rates in the order of 1000-10000 cm -2 s -1 , where the obtained spectra showed good agreement with spectra measured using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. The detector has also been tested using an AmBe source and at a neutron fluence rate of about 40 cm -2 s -1 , again, a good agreement with the assumed spectrum was achieved

Spectrometry using the PTB neutron multisphere spectrometer (NEMUS) at flight altitudes and at ground level

CERN Document Server

Wiegel, B; Matzke, M; Schrewe, U J; Wittstock, J

2002-01-01

Bonner sphere measurements are presented for flights at altitudes of up to 12 km and geomagnetic latitudes between 26 deg.N and 86 deg.N and compared with results obtained by several survey meters. As an example of the natural neutron background near sea level, results from a recent longterm measurement campaign performed at the PTB site using an extended spectrometer are presented. The dependence of neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent on the atmospheric pressure is demonstrated.

Planetary method to measure the neutrons spectrum in lineal accelerators of medical use; Metodo planetario para medir el espectro de neutrones en aceleradores lineales de uso medico

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Benites R, J. L., E-mail: fermineutron@yahoo.com [Centro Estatal de Cancerologia de Nayarit, Servicio de Seguridad Radiologica, Calzada de la Cruz 118 Sur, 63000 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico)

2014-08-15

A novel procedure to measure the neutrons spectrum originated in a lineal accelerator of medical use has been developed. The method uses a passive spectrometer of Bonner spheres. The main advantage of the method is that only requires of a single shot of the accelerator. When this is used around a lineal accelerator is necessary to operate it under the same conditions so many times like the spheres that contain the spectrometer, activity that consumes enough time. The developed procedure consists on situating all the spheres of the spectrometer at the same time and to realize the reading making a single shot. With this method the photo neutrons spectrum produced by a lineal accelerator Varian ix of 15 MV to 100 cm of the isocenter was determined, with the spectrum is determined the total flow and the ambient dose equivalent. (Author)

Reconstruction of the neutron spectrum using an artificial neural network in CPU and GPU; Reconstruccion del espectro de neutrones usando una red neuronal artificial (RNA) en CPU y GPU

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hernandez D, V. M.; Moreno M, A.; Ortiz L, M. A. [Universidad de Cordoba, 14002 Cordoba (Spain); Vega C, H. R.; Alonso M, O. E., E-mail: vic.mc68010@gmail.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico)

2016-10-15

The increase in computing power in personal computers has been increasing, computers now have several processors in the CPU and in addition multiple CUDA cores in the graphics processing unit (GPU); both systems can be used individually or combined to perform scientific computation without resorting to processor or supercomputing arrangements. The Bonner sphere spectrometer is the most commonly used multi-element system for neutron detection purposes and its associated spectrum. Each sphere-detector combination gives a particular response that depends on the energy of the neutrons, and the total set of these responses is known like the responses matrix Rφ(E). Thus, the counting rates obtained with each sphere and the neutron spectrum is related to the Fredholm equation in its discrete version. For the reconstruction of the spectrum has a system of poorly conditioned equations with an infinite number of solutions and to find the appropriate solution, it has been proposed the use of artificial intelligence through neural networks with different platforms CPU and GPU. (Author)

Unfolding neutron spectra with BS-TLD system using genetic algorithms

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Santos, Joelan A.L., E-mail: jasantos@cnen.gov.br [Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE (Brazil). Dept. de Energia Nuclear; Centro Regional de Ciencias Nucleares do Nordeste (CRCN-NE/CNEN-PE), Recife, PE (Brazil); Silva, Everton R. [Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE (Brazil). Centro de Informatica; Ferreira, Tiago A.E. [Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE (Brazil). Dept. de Estatistica e Informatica; Fonseca, Evaldo S. [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil); Vilela, Eudice C., E-mail: ecvilela@cnen.gov.br [Centro Regional de Ciencias Nucleares do Nordeste (CRCN-NE/CNEN-PE), Recife, PE (Brazil)

2011-07-01

Due to the variability of neutron spectrum within the same environment, it is essential that the spectral distribution as function of energy to be characterized. To perform this task, the neutron spectrometer has a primary role in determining the neutron flux ({Phi}{sub E}(E)). Precise information allows radiological quantities establishment related to that spectrum but it is necessary, however, a series of steps with a spectrometric system that can cover a large interval of energy and whose answer is isotropic. The most widely used for accomplishing this task is the spectrometric Bonner spheres system. One of the biggest problems related to neutron spectrometry is the process of data analysis, known as unfolding. Most of the work undertaken to implement new techniques of this process, using data obtained with the scintillator {sup 6}LiI(I). However, characteristics related to the dead time make it not be so effective when used in high flow neutron fields. An alternative to this problem is the use of thermoluminescent detectors (TLD), but the codes used do not provide a more specific response matrix to unfolding the information obtained through these materials, which makes the development of a specific response matrix important to adequately characterize the response obtained by them. This paper proposes using a technique of artificial intelligence called genetic algorithm, which uses bio-inspired mathematical models and through the implementation of a specific matrix to unfolding data obtained from a combination of TLDs embedded in a system of Bonner spheres, such as thermal neutron detectors, to characterize the neutron spectrum as a function of energy. The results obtained with this method were in accordance with reference spectra, thus enables of this technique to unfolding neutrons spectra with BS-TLD system. (author)

Unfolding neutron spectra with BS-TLD system using genetic algorithms

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santos, Joelan A.L.; Silva, Everton R.; Vilela, Eudice C.

2011-01-01

Due to the variability of neutron spectrum within the same environment, it is essential that the spectral distribution as function of energy to be characterized. To perform this task, the neutron spectrometer has a primary role in determining the neutron flux (Φ E (E)). Precise information allows radiological quantities establishment related to that spectrum but it is necessary, however, a series of steps with a spectrometric system that can cover a large interval of energy and whose answer is isotropic. The most widely used for accomplishing this task is the spectrometric Bonner spheres system. One of the biggest problems related to neutron spectrometry is the process of data analysis, known as unfolding. Most of the work undertaken to implement new techniques of this process, using data obtained with the scintillator 6 LiI(I). However, characteristics related to the dead time make it not be so effective when used in high flow neutron fields. An alternative to this problem is the use of thermoluminescent detectors (TLD), but the codes used do not provide a more specific response matrix to unfolding the information obtained through these materials, which makes the development of a specific response matrix important to adequately characterize the response obtained by them. This paper proposes using a technique of artificial intelligence called genetic algorithm, which uses bio-inspired mathematical models and through the implementation of a specific matrix to unfolding data obtained from a combination of TLDs embedded in a system of Bonner spheres, such as thermal neutron detectors, to characterize the neutron spectrum as a function of energy. The results obtained with this method were in accordance with reference spectra, thus enables of this technique to unfolding neutrons spectra with BS-TLD system. (author)

Measurement of the neutron spectrum in a room with an accelerator Varian 2300C/D Linac using the Bonner multisphere spectrometer; Medicao do espectro de neutrons em uma sala com um acelerador Varian 2300C/D Linav usando o espectrometro de multiesferas de Bonner

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cavalcante, D.B.S., E-mail: cavalcante@ird.gov.b [Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IF/UFRJ), RJ (Brazil). Inst. de Fisica; Fonseca, E.S. da, E-mail: evaldo@ird.gov.b [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil); Lemos Junior, R.M. [Coordenacao dos Programas de Pos-Graduacao de Engenharia (COPPE/UFRJ), RJ (Brazil); Batista, D.V.S. [Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCa), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil)

2009-07-01

The generated neutron field varies considerably and depends on the beam energy, on the shielding of the accelerator, on the filters for beam homogeneity, and also on the mobile collimators and geometry of irradiation. The estimation of the component relative to the photoneutrons has practical interest for evaluation of the radiological risks for the workers and for the patient as well. Due to the high frequency magnetic field, and to the photon abundance resulting of the escape and scattering at treatment room, those measurements present some difficulties. Measurements of the neutron fields can be made with a Bonner spectrometer. Those system was calibrated with referred neutron standard sources and used for make measurements on a spot of the room where a Variant 2300C/D Linac is installed. The unfolding process used the BUNKI computer code for determination of the neutron spectra at the measurement spot

Neutron spectrometric evaluations in the Argentine research reactor RA-1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kunst, J.J.; Papadopulos, S.B.; Gregori, B.N.; Cruzate, J.A.

1998-01-01

Full text: The determination of the quantities dose equivalent H * (10) and personal dose equivalent Hp(10) in mixed field (n,γ) needs the knowledge of the related spectrum. In order to fulfill this aim spectrometer system has been built based on the combination of polyethylene spheres of different diameters (Bonner Spheres System-BSS) and a He 3 proportional counter detector sensitive to thermal neutrons. The detector is located in the geometrical centre of each of the spheres and has an associated electronics with a charge preamplifier, an amplifier and a multichannel system that allows the outgoing spectrum analysis. In order to determine the neutron spectrum a deconvolution method is applied based on the LOUHI82 code. In this work are shown the spectra and the related values of H * (10) that have been got in five places of the reactor and in the command room with the BSS. (author) [es

Applicability of the two-angle differential method to response measurement of neutron-sensitive devices at the RCNP high-energy neutron facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Masuda, Akihiko, E-mail: aki-masuda@aist.go.jp [National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan); Matsumoto, Tetsuro [National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan); Iwamoto, Yosuke [Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1195 (Japan); Hagiwara, Masayuki [High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801 (Japan); Satoh, Daiki; Sato, Tatsuhiko [Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1195 (Japan); Iwase, Hiroshi [High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801 (Japan); Yashima, Hiroshi [Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashiro-nishi, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka 590-0494 (Japan); Nakane, Yoshihiro [Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1195 (Japan); Nishiyama, Jun [Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8550 (Japan); Shima, Tatsushi; Tamii, Atsushi; Hatanaka, Kichiji [Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University, 10-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047 (Japan); Harano, Hideki [National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan); Nakamura, Takashi [Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578 (Japan)

2017-03-21

Quasi-monoenergetic high-energy neutron fields induced by {sup 7}Li(p,n) reactions are used for the response evaluation of neutron-sensitive devices. The quasi-monoenergetic high-energy field consists of high-energy monoenergetic peak neutrons and unwanted continuum neutrons down to the low-energy region. A two-angle differential method has been developed to compensate for the effect of the continuum neutrons in the response measurements. In this study, the two-angle differential method was demonstrated for Bonner sphere detectors, which are typical examples of moderator-based neutron-sensitive detectors, to investigate the method's applicability and its dependence on detector characteristics. Experiments were performed under 96–387 MeV quasi-monoenergetic high-energy neutron fields at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University. The measurement results for large high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sphere detectors agreed well with Monte Carlo calculations, which verified the adequacy of the two-angle differential method. By contrast, discrepancies were observed in the results for small HDPE sphere detectors and metal-induced sphere detectors. The former indicated that detectors that are particularly sensitive to low-energy neutrons may be affected by penetrating neutrons owing to the geometrical features of the RCNP facility. The latter discrepancy could be consistently explained by a problem in the evaluated cross-section data for the metals used in the calculation. Through those discussions, the adequacy of the two-angle differential method was experimentally verified, and practical suggestions were made pertaining to this method.

Neutron spectra in two beam ports of the TRIGA Mark III reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Aguilar, F.; Paredes, L.; Rivera M, T.

2013-10-01

The neutron spectra have been measured in two beam ports, radial and tangential, of the TRIGA Mark III nuclear reactor from the National Institute of Nuclear Research. Measurements were carried out with the core with mixed fuel (Leu 8.5/20 and Flip Heu 8.5/70). Two reactor powers, 5 and 10 W, were used during neutron spectra measurements using a Bonner sphere spectrometer with a 6 Lil(Eu) scintillator and 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 inches-diameter high density polyethylene spheres. The neutron spectra were unfolded using the NSDUAZ unfolding code; from each spectrum the total neutron flux, the neutron mean energy and the neutron ambient dose equivalent dose were determined. Measured spectra show fission (E≥ 0.1 MeV), epithermal (from 0.4 eV up to 0.1 MeV) and thermal neutrons (E≤ 0.4 eV). For both reactor powers the spectra in the radial beam port have similar features which are different to the neutron spectrum characteristics in the tangential beam port. (Author)

Neutron spectra in two beam ports of the TRIGA Mark III reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98060 Zacatecas (Mexico); Aguilar, F.; Paredes, L. [ININ, Carretera Mexico-Toluca s/n, 52750 Ocoyoacac, Estado de Mexico (Mexico); Rivera M, T., E-mail: fermineutron@yahoo.com [IPN, Centro de Investigacion en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Unidad Legaria, Av. Legaria 694, 11500 Mexico D. F. (Mexico)

2013-10-15

The neutron spectra have been measured in two beam ports, radial and tangential, of the TRIGA Mark III nuclear reactor from the National Institute of Nuclear Research. Measurements were carried out with the core with mixed fuel (Leu 8.5/20 and Flip Heu 8.5/70). Two reactor powers, 5 and 10 W, were used during neutron spectra measurements using a Bonner sphere spectrometer with a {sup 6}Lil(Eu) scintillator and 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 inches-diameter high density polyethylene spheres. The neutron spectra were unfolded using the NSDUAZ unfolding code; from each spectrum the total neutron flux, the neutron mean energy and the neutron ambient dose equivalent dose were determined. Measured spectra show fission (E≥ 0.1 MeV), epithermal (from 0.4 eV up to 0.1 MeV) and thermal neutrons (E≤ 0.4 eV). For both reactor powers the spectra in the radial beam port have similar features which are different to the neutron spectrum characteristics in the tangential beam port. (Author)

Neutron fluence spectrometry using disk activation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Loevestam, Goeran [EC-JRC-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel (Belgium)], E-mail: goeran.loevestam@ec.europa.eu; Hult, Mikael; Fessler, Andreas; Gasparro, Joel; Kockerols, Pierre; Okkinga, Klaas [EC-JRC-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel (Belgium); Tagziria, Hamid [EC-JRC-Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen (IPSC), Via E. Fermi 1, I-21020 Ispra (Vatican City State, Holy See,) (Italy); Vanhavere, Filip [SCK-CEN, Boeretang, 2400 Mol (Belgium); Wieslander, J.S. Elisabeth [EC-JRC-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel (Belgium); Department of Physics, P.O. Box 35 (YFL), FIN-40014, University of Jyvaeskylae (Finland)

2009-01-15

A simple and robust detector for spectrometry of environmental neutrons has been developed. The technique is based on neutron activation of a series of different metal disks followed by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry of the activated disks and subsequent neutron spectrum unfolding. The technique is similar to foil activation but here the applied neutron fluence rates are much lower than usually in the case of foil activation. The detector has been tested in quasi mono-energetic neutron fields with fluence rates in the order of 1000-10000 cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}, where the obtained spectra showed good agreement with spectra measured using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. The detector has also been tested using an AmBe source and at a neutron fluence rate of about 40 cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}, again, a good agreement with the assumed spectrum was achieved.

Planetary method to measure the neutrons spectrum in lineal accelerators of medical use

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Benites R, J. L.

2014-08-01

A novel procedure to measure the neutrons spectrum originated in a lineal accelerator of medical use has been developed. The method uses a passive spectrometer of Bonner spheres. The main advantage of the method is that only requires of a single shot of the accelerator. When this is used around a lineal accelerator is necessary to operate it under the same conditions so many times like the spheres that contain the spectrometer, activity that consumes enough time. The developed procedure consists on situating all the spheres of the spectrometer at the same time and to realize the reading making a single shot. With this method the photo neutrons spectrum produced by a lineal accelerator Varian ix of 15 MV to 100 cm of the isocenter was determined, with the spectrum is determined the total flow and the ambient dose equivalent. (Author)

Response matrix of a multisphere neutron spectrometer with an 3 He proportional counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Manzanares A, E.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Mercado S, G.A.

2005-01-01

The response matrix of a Bonner sphere spectrometer was calculated by use of the MCNP code. As thermal neutron counter, the spectrometer has a 3.2 cm-diameter 3 He-filled proportional counter which is located at the center of a set of polyethylene spheres. The response was calculated for 0, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 inches-diameter polyethylene spheres for neutrons whose energy goes from 10 -9 to 20 MeV. The response matrix was compared with a set of responses measured with several monoenergetic neutron sources. In this comparison the calculated matrix agrees with the experimental results. The matrix was also compared with the response matrix calculated for the PTB C spectrometer. Even though that calculation was carried out using a detailed model to describe the proportional counter; both matrices do agree, but small differences are observed in the bare case because of the difference in the model used during calculations. Other differences are in some spheres for 14.8 and 20 MeV neutrons, probably due to the differences in the cross sections used during both calculations. (Author) 28 refs., 1 tab., 6 figs

RDANN a new methodology to solve the neutron spectra unfolding problem

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J.M.; Martinez B, M.R.; Vega C, H.R. [UAZ, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde No. 801, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2006-07-01

The optimization processes known as Taguchi method and DOE methodology are applied to the design, training and testing of Artificial Neural Networks in the neutron spectrometry field, which offer potential benefits in the evaluation of the behavior of the net as well as the ability to examine the interaction of the weights and neurons inside the same one. In this work, the Robust Design of Artificial Neural Networks methodology is used to solve the neutron spectra unfolding problem, designing, training and testing an ANN using a set of 187 neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, to obtain the better neutron spectra unfolded from the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. (Author)

RDANN a new methodology to solve the neutron spectra unfolding problem

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J.M.; Martinez B, M.R.; Vega C, H.R.

2006-01-01

The optimization processes known as Taguchi method and DOE methodology are applied to the design, training and testing of Artificial Neural Networks in the neutron spectrometry field, which offer potential benefits in the evaluation of the behavior of the net as well as the ability to examine the interaction of the weights and neurons inside the same one. In this work, the Robust Design of Artificial Neural Networks methodology is used to solve the neutron spectra unfolding problem, designing, training and testing an ANN using a set of 187 neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, to obtain the better neutron spectra unfolded from the Bonner spheres spectrometer's count rates. (Author)

Reconstruction of the neutron spectrum using an artificial neural network in CPU and GPU

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez D, V. M.; Moreno M, A.; Ortiz L, M. A.; Vega C, H. R.; Alonso M, O. E.

2016-10-01

The increase in computing power in personal computers has been increasing, computers now have several processors in the CPU and in addition multiple CUDA cores in the graphics processing unit (GPU); both systems can be used individually or combined to perform scientific computation without resorting to processor or supercomputing arrangements. The Bonner sphere spectrometer is the most commonly used multi-element system for neutron detection purposes and its associated spectrum. Each sphere-detector combination gives a particular response that depends on the energy of the neutrons, and the total set of these responses is known like the responses matrix Rφ(E). Thus, the counting rates obtained with each sphere and the neutron spectrum is related to the Fredholm equation in its discrete version. For the reconstruction of the spectrum has a system of poorly conditioned equations with an infinite number of solutions and to find the appropriate solution, it has been proposed the use of artificial intelligence through neural networks with different platforms CPU and GPU. (Author)

Different spectra with the same neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Martinez B, M. R.; Hernandez A, B.; Ortiz H, A. A.; Mercado, G. A.

2010-01-01

Using as source term the spectrum of a 239 Pu-Be source several neutron spectra have been calculated using Monte Carlo methods. The source term was located in the centre of spherical moderators made of light water, heavy water and polyethylene of different diameters. Also a 239 Pu-Be source was used to measure its neutron spectrum, bare and moderated by water. The neutron spectra were measured at 100 cm with a Bonner spheres spectrometer. Monte Carlo calculations were used to calculate the neutron spectra of bare and water-moderated spectra that were compared with those measured with the spectrometer. Resulting spectra are similar to those found in power plants with PWR, BWR and Candu nuclear reactors. Beside the spectra the dosimetric features were determined. Using moderators and a single neutron source can be produced neutron spectra alike those found in workplaces, this neutron fields can be utilized to calibrate neutron dosimeters and area monitors. (Author)

Characterization of the neutron field of the {sup 241}AmBe in a calibration room; Caracterizacion del campo de neutrones del {sup 241} AmBe en una sala para calibracion

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R. [UAZ, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E.; Lorente, A. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, C. Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain)] e-mail: rvega@cantera.reduaz.mx

2003-07-01

The field of neutrons produced by an isotopic source of neutrons of {sup 241} Am Be had been characterized. The characterization was carried out modeling those relevant details of the calibration room and simulating the neutron transport at different distances of the source. The calculated spectra were used to determine the equivalent environmental dose rate. A series of experiments were carried out with the Bonner sphere spectrometric system to measure the spectra in the same points where the calculations were carried out and with these spectra the rates of environmental dose were calculated. By means of a one sphere dosemeter type Berthold the rates of environmental dose were measured. To the one to compare the calculated spectra and measured its were found small differences in the group of the thermal neutrons due to the elementary composition used during the simulation. When comparing the derived rates starting from the calculated spectra with those measured it was found a maxim difference smaller to 13%. (Author)

Neutron Dose Measurement Using a Cubic Moderator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sheinfeld, M.; Mazor, T.; Cohen, Y.; Kadmon, Y.; Orion, I.

2014-01-01

The Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS), introduced In July 1960 by a research group from Rice University, Texas, is a major approach to neutron spectrum estimation. The BSS, also known as multi-sphere spectrometer, consists of a set of a different diameters polyethylene spheres, carrying a small LiI(Eu) scintillator in their center. What makes this spectrometry method such widely used, is its almost isotropic response, covering an extraordinary wide range of energies, from thermal up to even hundreds of MeVs. One of the most interesting and useful consequences of the above study is the 12'' sphere characteristics, as it turned out that the response curve of its energy dependence, have a similar shape compared with the neutron's dose equivalent as a function of energy. This inexplicable and happy circumstance makes it virtually the only monitoring device capable providing realistic neutron dose estimates over such a wide energy range. However, since the detection mechanism is not strictly related to radiation dose, one can expect substantial errors when applied to widely different source conditions. Although the original design of the BSS included a small 4mmx4mmO 6LiI(Eu) scintillator, other thermal neutron detectors has been used over the years: track detectors, activation foils, BF3 filled proportional counters, etc. In this study we chose a Boron loaded scintillator, EJ-254, as the thermal neutron detector. The neutron capture reaction on the boron has a Q value of 2.78 MeV of which 2.34 MeV is shared by the alpha and lithium particles. The high manufacturing costs, the encasement issue, the installation efficiency and the fabrication complexity, led us to the idea of replacing the sphere with a cubic moderator. This article describes the considerations, as well as the Monte-Carlo simulations done in order to examine the applicability of this idea

Characterization of the neutron field of the 241AmBe in a calibration room

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.

2003-01-01

The field of neutrons produced by an isotopic source of neutrons of 241 Am Be had been characterized. The characterization was carried out modeling those relevant details of the calibration room and simulating the neutron transport at different distances of the source. The calculated spectra were used to determine the equivalent environmental dose rate. A series of experiments were carried out with the Bonner sphere spectrometric system to measure the spectra in the same points where the calculations were carried out and with these spectra the rates of environmental dose were calculated. By means of a one sphere dosemeter type Berthold the rates of environmental dose were measured. To the one to compare the calculated spectra and measured its were found small differences in the group of the thermal neutrons due to the elementary composition used during the simulation. When comparing the derived rates starting from the calculated spectra with those measured it was found a maxim difference smaller to 13%. (Author)

Single-sphere multiple-detector neutron spectrometer. Final report on Phase 1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sinclair, F.; Stern, I.; Hahn, R.W.; Entine, G.

1987-07-01

To address the problem of accurate, timely estimates of the neutron spectral flux, researchers are developing a monitoring instrument based on a single moderating sphere with a large number of independent sensors. Such a single-sphere spectrometer would allow easy measurement of quality factors. This is made possible by the recent development of a novel digital sensor which detects radiation induced errors in a dynamic random-access memory. During Phase I of the SBIR program, researchers constructed a first prototype of the single-sphere spectrometer, measured its response in a neutron flux from an isotopic Am-Be source in several geometries, and compared these with the results of Monte Carlo simulations of neutron transport. The preliminary results show that the approach is feasible and relatively straightforward

High-altitude cosmic ray neutrons: probable source for the high-energy protons of the earth's radiation belts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hajnal, F.; Wilson, J.

1992-01-01

'Full Text:' Several High-altitude cosmic-ray neutron measurements were performed by the NASA Ames Laboratory in the mid-to late-1970s using airplanes flying at about 13km altitude along constant geomagnetic latitudes of 20, 44 and 51 degrees north. Bonner spheres and manganese, gold and aluminium foils were used in the measurements. In addition, large moderated BF-3 counters served as normalizing instruments. Data analyses performed at that time did not provide complete and unambiguous spectral information and field intensities. Recently, using our new unfolding methods and codes, and Bonner-sphere response function extensions for higher energies, 'new' neutron spectral intensities were obtained, which show progressive hardening of neutron spectra as a function of increasing geomagnetic latitude, with substantial increases in the energy region iron, 1 0 MeV to 10 GeV. For example, we found that the total neutron fluences at 20 and 51 degrees magnetic north are in the ratio of 1 to 5.2 and the 10 MeV to 10 GeV fluence ratio is 1 to 18. The magnitude of these ratios is quite remarkable. From the new results, the derived absolute neutron energy distribution is of the correct strength and shape for the albedo neutrons to be the main source of the high-energy protons trapped in the Earth's inner radiation belt. In addition, the results, depending on the extrapolation scheme used, indicate that the neutron dose equivalent rate may be as high as 0.1 mSv/h near the geomagnetic north pole and thus a significant contributor to the radiation exposures of pilots, flight attendants and the general public. (author)

Neutrons field in the neutronic measurements room of the Polytechnic University of Madrid

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.; Rubio O, I. P.

2010-09-01

Through of measurements and calculations of a Monte Carlo series has been characterized the neutronic field of the neutronic measurements room of Nuclear Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The measurements were realized with the Bonner Spheres Spectrometer that allowed establish the spectra on the new stainless steel panel and at different distances measured regarding the source. The values of the speed of environmental equivalent dose were measured with an area monitor Bert hold Lb 6411. Through of Monte Carlo methods was built a detailed model of the room with the panel and the spectra were calculated and, with these the values of the environmental equivalent dose were obtained using the conversion coefficients of the ICRP 74 and the Bert hold Lb 6411 response. The calculated values were compared with those measured and was consistency among the results. (Author)

SU-E-T-365: Estimation of Neutron Ambient Dose Equivalents for Radioprotection Exposed Workers in Radiotherapy Facilities Based On Characterization Patient Risk Estimation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Irazola, L; Terron, J; Sanchez-Doblado, F [Departamento de Fisiologia Medica y Biofisica, Universidad de Sevilla (Spain); Servicio de Radiofisica, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla (Spain); Domingo, C; Romero-Exposito, M [Departament de Fisica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Spain); Garcia-Fuste, M [Health and Safety Department, ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Valles (Spain); Sanchez-Nieto, B [Instituto de Fisica, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago (Chile); Bedogni, R [Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) (Italy)

2015-06-15

Purpose: Previous measurements with Bonner spheres{sup 1} showed that normalized neutron spectra are equal for the majority of the existing linacs{sup 2}. This information, in addition to thermal neutron fluences obtained in the characterization procedure{sup 3}3, would allow to estimate neutron doses accidentally received by exposed workers, without the need of an extra experimental measurement. Methods: Monte Carlo (MC) simulations demonstrated that the thermal neutron fluence distribution inside the bunker is quite uniform, as a consequence of multiple scatter in the walls{sup 4}. Although inverse square law is approximately valid for the fast component, a more precise calculation could be obtained with a generic fast fluence distribution map around the linac, from MC simulations{sup 4}. Thus, measurements of thermal neutron fluences performed during the characterization procedure{sup 3}, together with a generic unitary spectra{sup 2}, would allow to estimate the total neutron fluences and H*(10) at any point{sup 5}. As an example, we compared estimations with Bonner sphere measurements{sup 1}, for two points in five facilities: 3 Siemens (15–23 MV), Elekta (15 MV) and Varian (15 MV). Results: Thermal neutron fluences obtained from characterization, are within (0.2–1.6×10{sup 6}) cm−{sup 2}•Gy{sup −1} for the five studied facilities. This implies ambient equivalent doses ranging from (0.27–2.01) mSv/Gy 50 cm far from the isocenter and (0.03–0.26) mSv/Gy at detector location with an average deviation of ±12.1% respect to Bonner measurements. Conclusion: The good results obtained demonstrate that neutron fluence and H*(10) can be estimated based on: (a) characterization procedure established for patient risk estimation in each facility, (b) generic unitary neutron spectrum and (c) generic MC map distribution of the fast component. [1] Radiat. Meas (2010) 45: 1391 – 1397; [2] Phys. Med. Biol (2012) 5 7:6167–6191; [3] Med. Phys (2015) 42

Study of the neutron field in the vicinity of an unshielded PET cyclotron

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mendez, R; Iniguez, M P; MartI-Climent, J M; Penuelas, I; Vega-Carrillo, H R; Barquero, R

2005-01-01

The neutron field in the proximity of an unshielded PET cyclotron was investigated during 18 F radioisotope production with an 18 MeV proton beam. Thermoluminescent detector (TLD) models TLD600 and TLD700 as well as Bonner moderating spheres were irradiated at different positions inside the vault room where the cyclotron is located to determine the thermal neutron flux, neutron spectrum and dose equivalent. Furthermore, from a combination of measurements and Monte Carlo simulations the neutron source intensity at the target was estimated. The resulting intensity is in good agreement with the IAEA recommendations. Neutron doses derived from the measured spectra were found to vary between 7 and 320 mSv per 1 μA h of proton-integrated current. Finally, gamma doses were determined from TLD700 readings and amounted to around 10% of the neutron doses

Study of the neutron field in the vicinity of an unshielded PET cyclotron

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mendez, R [Dpto. Fisica Teorica, Atomica y Optica, Universidad de Valladolid (Spain); Iniguez, M P [Dpto. Fisica Teorica, Atomica y Optica, Universidad de Valladolid (Spain); MartI-Climent, J M [Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, ClInica Universitaria de Navarra (Spain); Penuelas, I [Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, ClInica Universitaria de Navarra (Spain); Vega-Carrillo, H R [Dpto. Estudios Nucleares, IngenierIa Electrica, Matematicas, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (Mexico); Barquero, R [Hospital Universitario RIo Hortega, Valladolid (Spain)

2005-11-07

The neutron field in the proximity of an unshielded PET cyclotron was investigated during {sup 18}F radioisotope production with an 18 MeV proton beam. Thermoluminescent detector (TLD) models TLD600 and TLD700 as well as Bonner moderating spheres were irradiated at different positions inside the vault room where the cyclotron is located to determine the thermal neutron flux, neutron spectrum and dose equivalent. Furthermore, from a combination of measurements and Monte Carlo simulations the neutron source intensity at the target was estimated. The resulting intensity is in good agreement with the IAEA recommendations. Neutron doses derived from the measured spectra were found to vary between 7 and 320 mSv per 1 {mu}A h of proton-integrated current. Finally, gamma doses were determined from TLD700 readings and amounted to around 10% of the neutron doses.

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry measurement at workplaces for calibration of individual PGP-DIN dosemeters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Itie, C.; Muller, H.; Asselineau, B.; Medioni, R.; Crovisier, P.; Valier-Bradier, P.; Groetz, J.E.; Piot, J.

2003-01-01

Measurements to determine new coefficients for individual neutron dosimeters PGP-DIN complying with the ICRP 60 recommendations were performed at two workplaces at the CEA of Valduc: a storage room and a plutonium reprocessing plant. Two spectrometry campaigns were performed allowing a better assessment of doses received by operators working at these workplaces. Neutron energy fluence and ambient dose equivalent rate H * (10) distributions were measured as function of neutron energy by using the ROSPEC device and BONNER spheres spectrometer. The radiation field being mixed neutron and gamma, the gamma component was also evaluated: neutron and photon dose-rate meters were used to evaluate the ambient dose rate equivalent. Individual dosemeters were positioned on an ISO water slab phantom. In addition, calculations were performed using the MCNP simulation code for different configurations. (authors)

Benchmarks on neutron leakage from iron and beryllium slabs and spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Belousov, S.; Ilieva, K.; Popova, I.; Antonov, S.

1998-01-01

Five benchmarks, recommended by the IAEA for nuclear power engineering have been calculated for assessment of Iron and Beryllium neutron data from the recent FENDL version. The FENDL multigroup data processed in IAEA by NJOY code are in VITAMIN-J energy structure in MATXS format. These data have been converted to ANISN format by TRANSX code, ported to PC version and collected to binary library by LIBFENDL code, that we have created especially for this purpose. Neutron transport calculations have been carried out by the codes ANISN, GRTUNCL and DORT. The benchmark for neutron leakage from 25 cm radius Iron sphere with 252 Cf source posses to test FENDL Iron data for LWRs application. Other two benchmarks important for fusion application correspond to the 14 MeV neutron transmission through Iron sphere shell (Simakov S.P. et al., IPPE, Obninsk) and Iron slabs (Y. Oyama, H. Maekawa, FNS/ JAERI). The comparison of measured and calculation results demonstrates discouraged inconsistency when material thickness exceeds 20 cm. Modelling of the angular neutron leakage from 14 MeV source transmitted through Beryllium slabs (H. Maekawa and Y. Oyama at FNS/JAERI) and scalar neutron leakage spectra through sphere shell (Simakov S.P. at al in IPPE, Obninsk) is important for studding the multiplication properties of Beryllium as a fusion blanket material. The measured and calculated results are in relatively good consistency

A high-resolution neutron spectra unfolding method using the Genetic Algorithm technique

CERN Document Server

Mukherjee, B

2002-01-01

The Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSS) are commonly used to determine the neutron spectra within various nuclear facilities. Sophisticated mathematical tools are used to unfold the neutron energy distribution from the output data of the BSS. This paper highlights a novel high-resolution neutron spectra-unfolding method using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) technique. The GA imitates the biological evolution process prevailing in the nature to solve complex optimisation problems. The GA method was utilised to evaluate the neutron energy distribution, average energy, fluence and equivalent dose rates at important work places of a DIDO class research reactor and a high-energy superconducting heavy ion cyclotron. The spectrometer was calibrated with a sup 2 sup 4 sup 1 Am/Be (alpha,n) neutron standard source. The results of the GA method agreed satisfactorily with the results obtained by using the well-known BUNKI neutron spectra unfolding code.

Measurements of 14 MeV neutron multiplication in spherical beryllium shells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moellendorff, U. von; Alevra, A.V.; Giese, H.; Kappler, F.; Klein, H.; Klein, H.; Tayama, R.

1995-01-01

New results of spherical-shell transmission measurements with 14MeV neutrons on pure beryllium shells up to 17cm thick are reported. The total leakage neutron multiplications were measured using a Bonner sphere system. Independently, the leakage neutron spectra were measured over the entire energy range, 15MeV to thermal energies, by proton-recoil and time-of-flight methods. The total leakage multiplications are in excellent agreement with three-dimensional Monte Carlo calculations using beryllium nuclear data based on the Young and Stewart evaluation. The leakage in the evaporation energy window confirms the Be(n,2n) cross-section of the Young and Stewart evaluation rather than that used in the ENDF/B-VI library. At energies below 1keV, a surplus of leakage neutrons over the calculation is found for smaller beryllium thicknesses. (orig.)

Determination of the scattered radiation at the Neutron Calibration Laboratory of IPEN using the shadow cone method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alvarenga, Tallyson S.; Caldas, Linda V.E. [Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), São Paulo, SP (Brazil); Freitas, Bruno M. [Coordenacao de Pos-Graduacao e Pesquisa de Engenharia (PEN/COPPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Programa de Engenharia Nuclear; Fonseca, Evaldo S.; Pereira, Walsan W., E-mail: talvarenga@ipen.br, E-mail: lcaldas@ipen.br, E-mail: bfreitas@con.ufrj.br, E-mail: walsan@ird.gov.br, E-mail: evaldo@ird.gov.br [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil)

2017-07-01

Because of the increase in the demand for the calibration of neutron detectors, there is a need for new calibration services. In this context, the Calibration Laboratory of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), São Paulo, which already offers calibration services of radiation detectors with standard X, gamma, beta and alpha beams, has recently projected a new test laboratory for neutron detectors. This work evaluated the contribution of dispersed neutron radiation in this laboratory, using the cone shadow method and a Bonner sphere spectrometer to take the measurements at a distance of 100 cm from the neutron source. The dosimetric quantities H⁎(10) and H⁎(10) were obtained at the laboratory, allowing the calibration of detectors. (author)

Determination of the scattered radiation at the Neutron Calibration Laboratory of IPEN using the shadow cone method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alvarenga, Tallyson S.; Caldas, Linda V.E.; Freitas, Bruno M.

2017-01-01

Because of the increase in the demand for the calibration of neutron detectors, there is a need for new calibration services. In this context, the Calibration Laboratory of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), São Paulo, which already offers calibration services of radiation detectors with standard X, gamma, beta and alpha beams, has recently projected a new test laboratory for neutron detectors. This work evaluated the contribution of dispersed neutron radiation in this laboratory, using the cone shadow method and a Bonner sphere spectrometer to take the measurements at a distance of 100 cm from the neutron source. The dosimetric quantities H⁎(10) and H⁎(10) were obtained at the laboratory, allowing the calibration of detectors. (author)

High pressure gas spheres for neutron and photon experiments

Science.gov (United States)

Rupp, G.; Petrich, D.; Käppeler, F.; Kaltenbaek, J.; Leugers, B.; Reifarth, R.

2009-09-01

High pressure gas spheres have been designed and successfully used in several nuclear physics experiments on noble gases. The pros and cons of this solution are the simple design and the high reliability versus the fact that the density is limited to 40-60% of liquid or solid gas samples. Originally produced for neutron capture studies at keV energies, the comparably small mass of the gas spheres were an important advantage, which turned out to be of relevance for other applications as well. The construction, performance, and operation of the spheres are described and examples for their use are presented.

A neutron spectrum unfolding code based on generalized regression artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rosario Martinez-Blanco, Ma. del

2016-01-01

The most delicate part of neutron spectrometry, is the unfolding process. The derivation of the spectral information is not simple because the unknown is not given directly as a result of the measurements. Novel methods based on Artificial Neural Networks have been widely investigated. In prior works, back propagation neural networks (BPNN) have been used to solve the neutron spectrometry problem, however, some drawbacks still exist using this kind of neural nets, i.e. the optimum selection of the network topology and the long training time. Compared to BPNN, it's usually much faster to train a generalized regression neural network (GRNN). That's mainly because spread constant is the only parameter used in GRNN. Another feature is that the network will converge to a global minimum, provided that the optimal values of spread has been determined and that the dataset adequately represents the problem space. In addition, GRNN are often more accurate than BPNN in the prediction. These characteristics make GRNNs to be of great interest in the neutron spectrometry domain. This work presents a computational tool based on GRNN capable to solve the neutron spectrometry problem. This computational code, automates the pre-processing, training and testing stages using a k-fold cross validation of 3 folds, the statistical analysis and the post-processing of the information, using 7 Bonner spheres rate counts as only entrance data. The code was designed for a Bonner Spheres System based on a "6LiI(Eu) neutron detector and a response matrix expressed in 60 energy bins taken from an International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. - Highlights: • Main drawback of neutron spectrometry with BPNN is network topology optimization. • Compared to BPNN, it’s usually much faster to train a (GRNN). • GRNN are often more accurate than BPNN in the prediction. These characteristics make GRNNs to be of great interest. • This computational code, automates the pre-processing, training

Neutron dose and energy spectra measurements at Savannah River Plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brackenbush, L.W.; Soldat, K.L.; Haggard, D.L.; Faust, L.G.; Tomeraasen, P.L.

1987-08-01

Because some workers have a high potential for significant neutron exposure, the Savannah River Plant (SRP) contracted with Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) to verify the accuracy of neutron dosimetry at the plant. Energy spectrum and neutron dose measurements were made at the SRP calibrations laboratory and at several other locations. The energy spectra measurements were made using multisphere or Bonner sphere spectrometers, 3 He spectrometers, and NE-213 liquid scintillator spectrometers. Neutron dose equivalent determinations were made using these instruments and others specifically designed to determine dose equivalent, such as the tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC). Survey instruments, such as the Eberline PNR-4, and the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)-albedo and track etch dosimeters (TEDs) were also used. The TEPC, subjectively judged to provide the most accurate estimation of true dose equivalent, was used as the reference for comparison with other devices. 29 refs., 43 figs., 13 tabs

Spectrum of neutrons leaking from an iron sphere with a central 14 MeV neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Borisov, A.A.; Zagryadskij, V.A.; Chuvilin, D.Yu.; Kralik, M.; Pulpan, J.; Tichy, M.

1991-01-01

Following a review of the present state of nuclear data requisite for the calculation of the transport of 14 MeV neutrons through iron of natural isotopic composition, the results are given of the calculation of the energy spectrum of such neutrons after their passage through an iron sphere 240 mm o.d. and 90 mm i.d., the neutron source being accommodated in the centre of the sphere. The calculations were made using the one-dimensional code BLANK working with the nuclear data libraries ENDL-75, ENDL-83, ENDL/B-IV, JENDL-2 and BROND, and using the three-dimensional code BRAND with the library ENDL-78. The calculated spectra were compared with the experimental spectrum measured at a distance of 3 m from the sphere by means of an NE-213 scintillator, which records reflected protons. The reflected proton spectrum was processed by the matrix method (program FORIST), and the result was normalized to one neutron emitted by the source, as were the calculated spectra. The comparison demonstrates that the experiment is best fitted by the spectrum calculated by using the library JENDL-2, where the integrals of the observed and calculated spectra over the 1-15 MeV range differ as little as approximately 10%. (author). 3 figs., 5 tabs., 16 refs

Spectrometry and dosimetry of a neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Manzanares A, E.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Ramirez G, J.; Hernandez V, R.; Chacon R, A.

2007-01-01

Using Monte Carlo methods the spectrum, dose equivalent and ambient dose equivalent of a 239 PuBe at several distances has been determined. Spectrum and both doses, at 100 cm, were determined-experimentally using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. These quantities were obtained by unfolding the spectrometer count rates using artificial neural networks. The dose equivalent, based in the ICRP 21 criteria, was measured with the area neutron dosemeter Eberline model NRI), at 100, 200 and 300 cm. All measurements were carried out in an open space to avoid the room return. With these results it was found that this source has a yield of 8.41E(6) n/s. (Author)

Neutrons field in the neutronic measurements room of the Polytechnic University of Madrid; Campo de neutrones en la sala de medidas neutronicas de la Universidad Politecnica de Madrid

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Calle Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.; Rubio O, I. P., E-mail: hrvegacarrillo@yahoo.com.m [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, C/Jose Gutierrez Abascal No. 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain)

2010-09-15

Through of measurements and calculations of a Monte Carlo series has been characterized the neutronic field of the neutronic measurements room of Nuclear Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The measurements were realized with the Bonner Spheres Spectrometer that allowed establish the spectra on the new stainless steel panel and at different distances measured regarding the source. The values of the speed of environmental equivalent dose were measured with an area monitor Bert hold Lb 6411. Through of Monte Carlo methods was built a detailed model of the room with the panel and the spectra were calculated and, with these the values of the environmental equivalent dose were obtained using the conversion coefficients of the ICRP 74 and the Bert hold Lb 6411 response. The calculated values were compared with those measured and was consistency among the results. (Author)

Spectral correction factors for conventional neutron dose meters used in high-energy neutron environments improved and extended results based on a complete survey of all neutron spectra in IAEA-TRS-403

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oparaji, U.; Tsai, Y. H.; Liu, Y. C.; Lee, K. W.; Patelli, E.; Sheu, R. J.

2017-01-01

This paper presents improved and extended results of our previous study on corrections for conventional neutron dose meters used in environments with high-energy neutrons (E n > 10 MeV). Conventional moderated-type neutron dose meters tend to underestimate the dose contribution of high-energy neutrons because of the opposite trends of dose conversion coefficients and detection efficiencies as the neutron energy increases. A practical correction scheme was proposed based on analysis of hundreds of neutron spectra in the IAEA-TRS-403 report. By comparing 252 Cf-calibrated dose responses with reference values derived from fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients, this study provides recommendations for neutron field characterization and the corresponding dose correction factors. Further sensitivity studies confirm the appropriateness of the proposed scheme and indicate that (1) the spectral correction factors are nearly independent of the selection of three commonly used calibration sources: 252 Cf, 241 Am-Be and 239 Pu-Be; (2) the derived correction factors for Bonner spheres of various sizes (6''-9'') are similar in trend and (3) practical high-energy neutron indexes based on measurements can be established to facilitate the application of these correction factors in workplaces. (authors)

Characterisation of mixed neutron-photon workplace fields at nuclear facilities by spectrometry (energy and direction) within the EVIDOS project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luszik-Bhadra, M.; Bartlett, D.; Bolognese-Milsztajn, T.; Boschung, M.; Coeck, M.; Curzio, G.; D'Errico, F.; Fiechtner, A.; Lacoste, V.; Lindborg, L.; Reginatto, M.; Schuhmacher, H.; Tanner, R.; Vanhavere, F.

2007-01-01

Within the EC project EVIDOS, 17 different mixed neutron-photon workplace fields at nuclear facilities (boiling water reactor, pressurised water reactor, research reactor, fuel processing, storage of spent fuel) were characterised using conventional Bonner sphere spectrometry and newly developed direction spectrometers. The results of the analysis, using Bayesian parameter estimation methods and different unfolding codes, some of them especially adapted to simultaneously unfold energy and direction distributions of the neutron fluence, showed that neutron spectra differed strongly at the different places, both in energy and direction distribution. The implication of the results for the determination of reference values for radiation protection quantities (ambient dose equivalent, personal dose equivalent and effective dose) and the related uncertainties are discussed. (authors)

Evaluation of response function of moderating-type neutron detector and application to environmental neutron measurement

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kosako, Toshiso; Nakamura, Takashi; Iwai, Satoshi; Katsuki, Shinji; Kamata, Masashi.

1983-08-01

The energy-dependent response function of a multi-cylinder moderating-type BF 3 counter, so-called Bonner counter, was calculated by the time-dependent multi-group Monte Carlo code, TMMCR. The calculated response function was evaluated experimentally for neutron energy below about 50 keV down to epithermal energy by the time-of-flight method combining with a large lead pile at the Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory, University of Tokyo and also above 50 keV by using the monoenergetic neutron standard field a t the Electrotechnical Laboratory. The time delay in the polyethylene moderator of the Bonner counter due to multiple collisions with hydrogen was analyzed by the TMMCR code and used for the time-spectrum analysis of the time-of-flight measurement. The response function obtained by these two experiments showed good agreement with the calculated results. This Bonner counter having a response function evaluated from thermal to MeV energy range was used for spectrometry and dosimetry of environmental neutrons around some nuclear facilities. The neutron spectra and dose measured in the environment around a 252 Cf fission source, fast neutron source reactor and electron synchrotron were all in good agreement with the calculated results and the measured results with other neutron detectors. (author)

A systematic approach to personnel neutron monitoring

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Griffith, R.V.; Hankins, D.E.

1980-01-01

In selection, calibration and interpretation of personnel neutron dosimeters used in radiation protection, adequate attention is often not given to matching the characteristics of the dosimeter with the quality of the neutron field. A particular concern is the use of albedo detectors which have little energy response similarity to the neutron dose equivalent conversion curve. At the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory we have developed a system for dosimeter calibration and neutron field characterization using Bonner spheres and remmeters. Rapid surveys of the work area with detectors in 3-in and 9-in polyethylene spheres establish a qualitative estimate of spectral variation found in the facility. We also use this data to determine the appropriate albedo dosimeter calibration factors. At several locations representing the spectral range, multisphere spectra measure-ments are made and the spectrum weighted dose equivalent rates calculated. These rates are compared with survey instrument results to establish correction factors for the relative over- or under-response expected from these instruments, particularly in highly moderated neutron fields where remmeters overrespond. We also use the spectral information to determine the appropriateness of dosimeters considered for future use. This technique has been applied at power reactors to provide information valuable to selection of proper personnel dosimeters. We find that the spectral range is sufficiently narrow that albedo detectors can be used with confidence. On the other hand, most of the dose occurs at energies below the effective threshold NTA film. (author)

Dosimetric and spectrometric neutron measurements around an annular vessel containing a plutonium nitrate fissile solution

CERN Document Server

Tournier, B; Medioni, R; Rich, C; Mussoni, F; Camus, L; Pichenot, G; Crovisier, P; Cutarella, D; Asselineau, B; Groetz, J E

2002-01-01

The new ICPR60 recommendations and the consideration of the ALARA principle have led the operators of nuclear facilities to evaluate with a higher care, the doses received by workers. The aim of this paper is to present a recent study concerning mixed field characterisation at a workplace located in a reprocessing laboratory. As a first step, neutron spectrum determination was achieved by two ways: simulation using MCNP code and experimental measurements with Bonner spheres and recoil proton counters. Neutron spectrum allowed the evaluation of dosimetric quantities. Measurements were then performed with different devices routinely used in radioprotection. The describe the measurement techniques, present the results obtained, and finally compare and discuss them.

Neutron spectra in two beam ports of a TRIGA Mark III reactor with HEU fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Paredes G, L.; Aguilar, F.

2012-10-01

Before to change the HEU for Leu fuel of the ININ's TRIGA Mark III nuclear reactor the neutron spectra were measured in two beam ports using 5 and 10 W. Measurements were carried out in a tangential and a radial beam port using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. It was found that neutron spectra are different in the beam ports, in radial beam port the amplitude of thermal and fast neutrons are approximately the same while, in the tangential beam port thermal neutron peak is dominant. In the radial beam port the fluence-to-ambient dose equivalent factors are 131±11 and 124±10 p Sv-cm 2 for 5 and 10 W respectively while in the tangential beam port the fluence-to-ambient dose equivalent factor is 55±4 p Sv-cm 2 for 10 W. (Author)

A neutron source for IGISOL-JYFLTRAP: Design and characterisation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mattera, A.; Pomp, S.; Lantz, M.; Rakopoulos, V.; Solders, A.; Al-Adili, A.; Passoth, E.; Prokofiev, A.V.; Andersson, P.; Hjalmarsson, A. [Uppsala University, BOX 516, Uppsala (Sweden); Bedogni, R.; Esposito, A.; Gentile, A. [INFN-LNF, Frascati (Italy); Bortot, D. [INFN-LNF, Frascati (Italy); Politecnico di Milano, Milano (Italy); Gomez-Ros, J.M. [INFN-LNF, Frascati (Italy); CIEMAT, Madrid (Spain); Introini, M.V.; Pola, A. [Politecnico di Milano, Milano (Italy); Gorelov, D.; Penttilae, H.; Moore, I.D.; Rinta-Antila, S.; Kolhinen, V.S.; Eronen, T. [University of Jyvaeskylae (Finland)

2017-08-15

A white neutron source based on the Be(p, nx) reaction for fission studies at the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility has been designed and tested. 30MeV protons impinge on a 5mm thick water-cooled beryllium disc. The source was designed to produce at least 10{sup 12} fast neutrons/s on a secondary fission target, in order to reach competitive production rates of fission products far from the valley of stability. The Monte Carlo codes MCNPX and FLUKA were used in the design phase to simulate the neutron energy spectra. Two experiments to characterise the neutron field were performed: the first was carried out at The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala (SE), using an Extended-Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer and a liquid scintillator which used the time-of-flight (TOF) method to determine the energy of the neutrons; the second employed Thin-Film Breakdown Counters for the measurement of the TOF, and activation foils, at the IGISOL facility in Jyvaeskylae (FI). Design considerations and the results of the two characterisation measurements are presented, providing benchmarks for the simulations. (orig.)

Spectrometry and dosimetry of a neutron source

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R.; Manzanares A, E.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Ramirez G, J.; Hernandez V, R.; Chacon R, A. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico)]. e-mail: fermineutron@yahoo.com

2007-07-01

Using Monte Carlo methods the spectrum, dose equivalent and ambient dose equivalent of a {sup 239}PuBe at several distances has been determined. Spectrum and both doses, at 100 cm, were determined-experimentally using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. These quantities were obtained by unfolding the spectrometer count rates using artificial neural networks. The dose equivalent, based in the ICRP 21 criteria, was measured with the area neutron dosemeter Eberline model NRI), at 100, 200 and 300 cm. All measurements were carried out in an open space to avoid the room return. With these results it was found that this source has a yield of 8.41E(6) n/s. (Author)

Polyethylene-reflected plutonium metal sphere : subcritical neutron and gamma measurements.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mattingly, John K.

2009-11-01

Numerous benchmark measurements have been performed to enable developers of neutron transport models and codes to evaluate the accuracy of their calculations. In particular, for criticality safety applications, the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiment Program (ICSBEP) annually publishes a handbook of critical and subcritical benchmarks. Relatively fewer benchmark measurements have been performed to validate photon transport models and codes, and unlike the ICSBEP, there is no program dedicated to the evaluation and publication of photon benchmarks. Even fewer coupled neutron-photon benchmarks have been performed. This report documents a coupled neutron-photon benchmark for plutonium metal reflected by polyethylene. A 4.5-kg sphere of ?-phase, weapons-grade plutonium metal was measured in six reflected configurations: (1) Bare; (2) Reflected by 0.5 inch of high density polyethylene (HDPE); (3) Reflected by 1.0 inch of HDPE; (4) Reflected by 1.5 inches of HDPE; (5) Reflected by 3.0 inches of HDPE; and (6) Reflected by 6.0 inches of HDPE. Neutron and photon emissions from the plutonium sphere were measured using three instruments: (1) A gross neutron counter; (2) A neutron multiplicity counter; and (3) A high-resolution gamma spectrometer. This report documents the experimental conditions and results in detail sufficient to permit developers of radiation transport models and codes to construct models of the experiments and to compare their calculations to the measurements. All of the data acquired during this series of experiments are available upon request.

Polyethylene-reflected plutonium metal sphere: subcritical neutron and gamma measurements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mattingly, John K.

2009-01-01

Numerous benchmark measurements have been performed to enable developers of neutron transport models and codes to evaluate the accuracy of their calculations. In particular, for criticality safety applications, the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiment Program (ICSBEP) annually publishes a handbook of critical and subcritical benchmarks. Relatively fewer benchmark measurements have been performed to validate photon transport models and codes, and unlike the ICSBEP, there is no program dedicated to the evaluation and publication of photon benchmarks. Even fewer coupled neutron-photon benchmarks have been performed. This report documents a coupled neutron-photon benchmark for plutonium metal reflected by polyethylene. A 4.5-kg sphere of ?-phase, weapons-grade plutonium metal was measured in six reflected configurations: (1) Bare; (2) Reflected by 0.5 inch of high density polyethylene (HDPE); (3) Reflected by 1.0 inch of HDPE; (4) Reflected by 1.5 inches of HDPE; (5) Reflected by 3.0 inches of HDPE; and (6) Reflected by 6.0 inches of HDPE. Neutron and photon emissions from the plutonium sphere were measured using three instruments: (1) A gross neutron counter; (2) A neutron multiplicity counter; and (3) A high-resolution gamma spectrometer. This report documents the experimental conditions and results in detail sufficient to permit developers of radiation transport models and codes to construct models of the experiments and to compare their calculations to the measurements. All of the data acquired during this series of experiments are available upon request.

Characteristic Investigation of Unfolded Neutron Spectra with Different Priori Information and Gamma Radiation Interference

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Bong Hwan

2006-01-01

Neutron field spectrometry using multi spheres such as Bonner Spheres (BS) has been almost essential in radiation protection dosimetry for a long time at workplace in spite of poor energy resolution because it is not asking the fine energy resolution but requiring easy operation and measurement performance over a wide range of energy interested. KAERI has developed and used extended BS system based on a LiI(Eu) scintillator as the representative neutron spectrometry system for workplace monitoring as well as for the quantification of neutron calibration fields such as those recommended by ISO 8529. Major topics in using BS are how close the unfolded spectra is the real one and to minimize the interference of gamma radiation in neutron/gamma mixed fields in case of active instrument such as a BS with a LiI(Eu) scintillator. The former is related with choosing a priori information when unfolding the measured data and the latter is depend on how to discriminate it in intense gamma radiation fields. Influence of a priori information in unfolding and effect of counting loss due to pile-up of signals for the KAERI BS system were investigated analyzing the spectral measurement results of Scattered Neutron Calibration Fields (SNCF)

Study on neutron dosimetry in JNC Tokai Works

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsujimura, Norio [Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Inst., Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Tokai Works

2003-03-01

The author developed the neutron reference calibration fields using a {sup 252}Cf standard source surrounded with PMMA (polymethylmethacrylates) moderators at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC), Tokai Works. The moderators are concentric, annular cylinders made of lead-contained PMMA with a thickness of 13.5, 35.0, 59.5 and 77.0mm, and the {sup 252}Cf source is guided to the geometric center of moderators by the pneumatic system. These fields can provide the moderated neutron spectra very similar to those encountered around the globe-boxes of the fabrication process of MOX (PuO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2} mixed oxide) fuel. The neutron energy spectrum at the reference calibration point was evaluated from the calculations by MCNP4B and the measurements by the INS-type Bonner multi-sphere spectrometer and the hydrogen-filled proportional counters. The calculated neutron spectra were in good agreements with the measured ones. These fields were characterized in terms of the neutron fluence rate, spectral composition and ambient dose equivalent rate, and have served for the response-characterization of various neutron survey instruments. (author)

A neutron spectrum unfolding code based on iterative procedures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.

2012-10-01

In this work, the version 3.0 of the neutron spectrum unfolding code called Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry from Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ), is presented. This code was designed in a graphical interface under the LabVIEW programming environment and it is based on the iterative SPUNIT iterative algorithm, using as entrance data, only the rate counts obtained with 7 Bonner spheres based on a 6 Lil(Eu) neutron detector. The main features of the code are: it is intuitive and friendly to the user; it has a programming routine which automatically selects the initial guess spectrum by using a set of neutron spectra compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Besides the neutron spectrum, this code calculates the total flux, the mean energy, H(10), h(10), 15 dosimetric quantities for radiation protection porpoises and 7 survey meter responses, in four energy grids, based on the International Atomic Energy Agency compilation. This code generates a full report in html format with all relevant information. In this work, the neutron spectrum of a 241 AmBe neutron source on air, located at 150 cm from detector, is unfolded. (Author)

Test and validation of the iterative code for the neutrons spectrometry and dosimetry: NSDUAZ; Prueba y validacion del codigo iterativo para la espectrometria y dosimetria de neutrones: NSDUAZ

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reyes H, A.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Reyes A, A.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O.; Vega C, H. R., E-mail: alfredo_reyesh@hotmail.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica, Av. Lopez Velarde 801, Col. Centro, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2014-08-15

In this work was realized the test and validation of an iterative code for neutronic spectrometry known as Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry of the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ). This code was designed in a user graph interface, friendly and intuitive in the environment programming of LabVIEW using the iterative algorithm known as SPUNIT. The main characteristics of the program are: the automatic selection of the initial spectrum starting from the neutrons spectra catalog compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the possibility to generate a report in HTML format that shows in graph and numeric way the neutrons flowing and calculates the ambient dose equivalent with base to this. To prove the designed code, the count rates of a spectrometer system of Bonner spheres were used with a detector of {sup 6}LiI(Eu) with 7 polyethylene spheres with diameter of 0, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12. The count rates measured with two neutron sources: {sup 252}Cf and {sup 239}PuBe were used to validate the code, the obtained results were compared against those obtained using the BUNKIUT code. We find that the reconstructed spectra present an error that is inside the limit reported in the literature that oscillates around 15%. Therefore, it was concluded that the designed code presents similar results to those techniques used at the present time. (Author)

FRUIT: An operational tool for multisphere neutron spectrometry in workplaces

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bedogni, Roberto; Domingo, Carles; Esposito, Adolfo; Fernandez, Francisco

2007-01-01

FRUIT (Frascati Unfolding Interactive Tool) is an unfolding code for Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSS) developed, under the Labview environment, at the INFN-Frascati National Laboratory. It models a generic neutron spectrum as the superposition of up to four components (thermal, epithermal, fast and high energy), fully defined by up to seven positive parameters. Different physical models are available to unfold the sphere counts, covering the majority of the neutron spectra encountered in workplaces. The iterative algorithm uses Monte Carlo methods to vary the parameters and derive the final spectrum as limit of a succession of spectra fulfilling the established convergence criteria. Uncertainties on the final results are evaluated taking into consideration the different sources of uncertainty affecting the input data. Relevant features of FRUIT are (1) a high level of interactivity, allowing the user to follow the convergence process, (2) the possibility to modify the convergence tolerances during the run, allowing a rapid achievement of meaningful solutions and (3) the reduced dependence of the results from the initial hypothesis. This provides a useful instrument for spectrometric measurements in workplaces, where detailed a priori information is usually unavailable. This paper describes the characteristics of the code and presents the results of performance tests over a significant variety of reference and workplace neutron spectra ranging from thermal up to hundreds MeV neutrons

Optimization of artificial neural networks for the reconstruction of the neutrons spectrum and their equivalent doses; Optimizacion de redes neuronales artificiales para la reconstruccion del espectro de neutrones y sus dosis equivalentes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reyes A, A.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Reyes H, A.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O.; Vega C, H. R., E-mail: art8291@hotmail.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica, Av. Lopez Velarde No. 801, Col. Centro, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2014-08-15

In this work was used the robust design methodology of artificial neural networks to determine a good topology of net able to solve with efficiency the problems of neutrons spectrometry and dosimetry. For the design of the topology of optimized net 36 different net architectures based on an orthogonal arrangement with a configuration L{sub 9}(3{sup 4}), L{sub 4}(3{sup 2}) were trained. For the training of the neural networks, was used a computer code developed in the ambient of Mat lab programming, which automates the process and analysis of the information, reducing the time used in this activity considerably for the investigator. For the training of the propagation nets forward was utilized a neutrons spectrum compendium published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, where of the total 80% was used for the training and 20% for the test, it trained with an inverse propagation algorithm being the entrance data the count rates corresponding to the 7 spheres of the spectrometric system of Bonner spheres, as exit data, the neural network obtains the neutrons spectrum expressed in 60 energy groups and are calculated of simultaneous way 15 dosimetric quantities. (Author)

Construction of 144, 565 keV and 5.0 MeV monoenergetic neutron calibration fields at JAERI.

Science.gov (United States)

Tanimura, Y; Yoshizawa, M; Saegusa, J; Fujii, K; Shimizu, S; Yoshida, M; Shibata, Y; Uritani, A; Kudo, K

2004-01-01

Monoenergetic neutron calibration fields of 144, 565 keV and 5.0 MeV have been developed at the Facility of Radiation Standards of JAERI using a 4 MV Pelletron accelerator. The 7Li(p,n)7Be and 2H(d,n)3He reactions are employed for neutron production. The neutron energy was measured by the time-of-flight method with a liquid scintillation detector and calculated with the MCNP-ANT code. A long counter is employed as a neutron monitor because of the flat response. The monitor is set up where the influence of inscattered neutrons from devices and their supporting materials at a calibration point is as small as possible. The calibration coefficients from the monitor counts to the neutron fluence at a calibration point were obtained from the reference fluence measured with the transfer instrument of the primary standard laboratory (AIST), a 24.13 cm phi Bonner sphere counter. The traceability of the fields to AIST was established through the calibration.

Measurement of the energy spectrum from the neutron source p lanned for IGISOL

CERN Document Server

Mattera, A; Rakopoulos, V; Lantz, M; Pomp, S; Solders, A; Al-Adili, A; Andersson, P; Hjalmarsson, A; Valldor-Blücher, B; Prokofiev, A; Passoth, E; Gentile, A; Bortot, D; Esposito, A; Introini, M V; Pola, A; Penttilä, H; Gorelov, D; Rinta-Antila, S

2014-01-01

We report on the characterisation measurements of the energ y spectra from a Be (p,xn) neutron source to be installed at the IGISOL-JYFLTRA P facility for studies of neutron-induced independent fission yields. The measurements were performed at The Svedberg Laboratory (Uppsala, Sweden), during 50 hours of beam-time in June, 2012. A 30 MeV p roton beam impinged on a mock-up of the proton-neutron converter; this was a 5 mm-thick beryllium disc inserted in an aluminium holder, with a 1-cm t hick layer of cool- ing water on the backside. The geometry of the mock-up has bee n chosen to reproduce the one that will be used as the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP so urce. During the experiment, two configurations for the neutron so urce have been used: a fast neutron field, produced using the bare target; an d a moderated field, obtained adding a 10 cm-thick Polyethylene block after the t arget assembly. The neutron fields have been measured using an Extended Range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (ERBSS), able to simultaneously determine ...

Construction of monoenergetic neutron calibration fields using 45Sc(p, n)45Ti reaction at JAEA.

Science.gov (United States)

Tanimura, Y; Saegusa, J; Shikaze, Y; Tsutsumi, M; Shimizu, S; Yoshizawa, M

2007-01-01

The 8 and 27 keV monoenergetic neutron calibration fields have been developed by using (45)Sc(p, n)(45)Ti reaction. Protons from a 4-MV Pelletron accelerator are used to bombard a thin scandium target evaporated onto a platinum disc. The proton energies are finely adjusted to the resonance to generate the 8 and 27 keV neutrons by applying a high voltage to the target assemblies. The neutron energies were measured using the time-of-flight method with a lithium glass scintillation detector. The neutron fluences at a calibration point located at 50 cm from the target were evaluated using Bonner spheres. A long counter was placed at 2.2 m from the target and at 60 degrees to the direction of the proton beam in order to monitor the fluence at the calibration point. Fluence and dose equivalent rates at the calibration point are sufficient to calibrate many types of the neutron survey metres.

Characteristics of thermal neutron calibration fields using a graphite pile

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uchita, Yoshiaki; Saegusa, Jun; Kajimoto, Yoichi; Tanimura, Yoshihiko; Shimizu, Shigeru; Yoshizawa, Michio

2005-03-01

The Facility of Radiation Standards of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is equipped with thermal neutron fields for calibrating area and personal neutron dosemeters. The fields use moderated neutrons leaked from a graphite pile in which radionuclide sources are placed. In January 2003, we have renewed the pile with some modifications in its size. In accordance with the renewal, we measured and calculated thermal neutron fluence rates, neutron energy distributions and angular distributions of the fields. The thermal neutron fluence rates of the ''inside-pile fields'' and the outside-pile fields'' were determined by the gold foil activation method. The neutron energy distributions of the outside-pile fields were also measured with the Bonner multi-sphere spectrometer system. The contributions of epithermal and fast neutrons to the total dose-equivalents were 9% in the southern outside-pile field and 12% in the western outside-pile field. The personal dose-equivalents, H p,slab (10, α), in the outside-pile fields are evaluated by considering the calculated angular distributions of incoming neutrons. The H p,slab (10, α) was found to be about 40% higher than the value in assuming the unidirectional neutron between the pile and the test point. (author)

Definition and production of calibration standard neutron sources for radiation protection device calibration

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

De Matos, E.

1987-01-01

To improve the characterization of radioprotection devices performances, it would be advisable to calibrate these devices in neutron spectra which are nearly like those met in practice (nuclear reactors, plutonium technology laboratories...). The purpose of this work is, in a first time, to choose the nature and the dimensions of the different shields used to achieve broad typical neutron spectra extending to lower energies from a 14.8 MeV neutron beam. The second step is the evaluation of spectral distribution and calculation of associated dosimetric quantities. For that, several spectrometric techniques are employed: on one hand, activation detectors and Bonner spheres method named rough spectrometry; on the other hand, an accurate spectrometry which uses recoil proton counters. The dosimetric quantities, especially the value of kerma deduced from these spectra must be in good agreement with those measured with a tissue equivalent ionization chamber [fr

A review of neutron scattering correction for the calibration of neutron survey meters using the shadow cone method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Sang In; Kim, Bong Hwan; Kim, Jang Lyul; Lee, Jung Il [Health Physics Team, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2015-12-15

The calibration methods of neutron-measuring devices such as the neutron survey meter have advantages and disadvantages. To compare the calibration factors obtained by the shadow cone method and semi-empirical method, 10 neutron survey meters of five different types were used in this study. This experiment was performed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI; Daejeon, South Korea), and the calibration neutron fields were constructed using a {sup 252}Californium ({sup 252}Cf) neutron source, which was positioned in the center of the neutron irradiation room. The neutron spectra of the calibration neutron fields were measured by a europium-activated lithium iodide scintillator in combination with KAERI's Bonner sphere system. When the shadow cone method was used, 10 single moderator-based survey meters exhibited a smaller calibration factor by as much as 3.1 - 9.3% than that of the semi-empirical method. This finding indicates that neutron survey meters underestimated the scattered neutrons and attenuated neutrons (i.e., the total scatter corrections). This underestimation of the calibration factor was attributed to the fact that single moderator-based survey meters have an under-ambient dose equivalent response in the thermal or thermal-dominant neutron field. As a result, when the shadow cone method is used for a single moderator-based survey meter, an additional correction and the International Organization for Standardization standard 8529-2 for room-scattered neutrons should be considered.

A review of neutron scattering correction for the calibration of neutron survey meters using the shadow cone method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Sang In; Kim, Bong Hwan; Kim, Jang Lyul; Lee, Jung Il

2015-01-01

The calibration methods of neutron-measuring devices such as the neutron survey meter have advantages and disadvantages. To compare the calibration factors obtained by the shadow cone method and semi-empirical method, 10 neutron survey meters of five different types were used in this study. This experiment was performed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI; Daejeon, South Korea), and the calibration neutron fields were constructed using a 252 Californium ( 252 Cf) neutron source, which was positioned in the center of the neutron irradiation room. The neutron spectra of the calibration neutron fields were measured by a europium-activated lithium iodide scintillator in combination with KAERI's Bonner sphere system. When the shadow cone method was used, 10 single moderator-based survey meters exhibited a smaller calibration factor by as much as 3.1 - 9.3% than that of the semi-empirical method. This finding indicates that neutron survey meters underestimated the scattered neutrons and attenuated neutrons (i.e., the total scatter corrections). This underestimation of the calibration factor was attributed to the fact that single moderator-based survey meters have an under-ambient dose equivalent response in the thermal or thermal-dominant neutron field. As a result, when the shadow cone method is used for a single moderator-based survey meter, an additional correction and the International Organization for Standardization standard 8529-2 for room-scattered neutrons should be considered

Evolutionary neural networks: a new alternative for neutron spectrometry; Redes neuronales evolutivas: una nueva alternativa para la espectrometria de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J. M. [Departamento de Electrotecnia y Electronica, Escuela Politecnica Superior, Av. Menendez Pidal s/n, 14004 Cordoba (Spain); Martinez B, M. R.; Vega C, H. R. [Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Cipres 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Galleo, E. [Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain)], e-mail: morvymm@yahoo.com.mx

2009-10-15

A device used to perform neutron spectroscopy is the system known as a system of Bonner spheres spectrometer, this system has some disadvantages, one of these is the need for reconstruction using a code that is based on an iterative reconstruction algorithm, whose greater inconvenience is the need for a initial spectrum, as close as possible to the spectrum that is desired to avoid this inconvenience has been reported several procedures in reconstruction, combined with various types of experimental methods, based on artificial intelligence technology how genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks and hybrid systems evolved artificial neural networks using genetic algorithms. This paper analyzes the intersection of neural networks and evolutionary algorithms applied in the neutron spectroscopy and dosimetry. Due to this is an emerging technology, there are not tools for doing analysis of the obtained results, by what this paper presents a computing tool to analyze the neutron spectra and the equivalent doses obtained through the hybrid technology of neural networks and genetic algorithms. The toolmaker offers a user graphical environment, friendly and easy to operate. (author)

Evidos: optimisation of individual monitoring in mixed neutron/photon fields at workplaces of the nuclear fuel cycle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luszik-Bhadra, M.; Reginatto, M.; Schuhmacher, H.; Lacoste, V.; Muller, M.; Boschung, M.; Fiechtner, A.; Coeck, M.; Vanhavere, F.; Curzio, G.; D'errico, F.; Kyllonen, J.E.; Lindborg, L.; Molinos, C.; Tanner, R.; Derdau, D.; Lahaye, Th.

2005-01-01

Within its 5. Framework Programme, the EC is funding the project EVIDOS ('Evaluation of Individual Dosimetry in Mixed Neutron and Photon Radiation Fields'). The aim of this project is the optimisation of individual monitoring at workplaces of the nuclear fuel cycle with special regard to neutrons. Various dosemeters for mixed field application - passive and new electronic devices - are tested in selected workplace fields in nuclear installations in Europe. The fields are characterised using a series of spectrometers that provide the energy distribution of neutron fluence (Bonner spheres) and newly developed devices that provide the energy and directional distribution of the neutron fluence. Results from the first measurement campaign, carried out in simulated workplace fields (IRSN, Cadarache. France), and those of a second measurement campaign, carried out at workplaces at a boiling water reactor and at a storage cask with used fuel elements (Kernkraftwerk Kriimmel, Germany), are described. (authors)

Test and validation of the iterative code for the neutrons spectrometry and dosimetry: NSDUAZ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reyes H, A.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Reyes A, A.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O.; Vega C, H. R.

2014-08-01

In this work was realized the test and validation of an iterative code for neutronic spectrometry known as Neutron Spectrometry and Dosimetry of the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ). This code was designed in a user graph interface, friendly and intuitive in the environment programming of LabVIEW using the iterative algorithm known as SPUNIT. The main characteristics of the program are: the automatic selection of the initial spectrum starting from the neutrons spectra catalog compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the possibility to generate a report in HTML format that shows in graph and numeric way the neutrons flowing and calculates the ambient dose equivalent with base to this. To prove the designed code, the count rates of a spectrometer system of Bonner spheres were used with a detector of 6 LiI(Eu) with 7 polyethylene spheres with diameter of 0, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12. The count rates measured with two neutron sources: 252 Cf and 239 PuBe were used to validate the code, the obtained results were compared against those obtained using the BUNKIUT code. We find that the reconstructed spectra present an error that is inside the limit reported in the literature that oscillates around 15%. Therefore, it was concluded that the designed code presents similar results to those techniques used at the present time. (Author)

One-speed neutron transport in spheres with totally absorbing cores

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sjoestrand, N.G.

1988-01-01

Stationary and time-dependent transport of neutrons of one speed has been studied in spheres with totally absorbing cores. For stationary, critical reactors the number of secondaries per collision has been calculated numerically for various inner and outer radii. In the time-dependent case, the decay constant has been calculated for spherical shells of different inner radii and thicknesses. For a fixed ratio between shell thickness and inner radius, the curve of the decay constant versus shell thickness crosses the Corngold limit in the same way as the curve for a homogeneous sphere. When the ratio goes to zero the curve approaches that for an infinite slab. The behaviour is discussed in view of a new result from collision theory, viz. that the following condition must be fulfilled for a body at the point where the decay constant curve crosses the Corngold limit: the average exit distance of the neutrons is equal to the mean free path for scattering

Calculations of the spectra of fast neutrons in iron spheres using the vitamin-C file

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ahmed, F.; Aizawa, O.; Kadotani, H.

1984-01-01

Steady-state space-dependent fast neutron angular and scalar spectra and total flux in various iron spheres have been calculated using the one-dimensional discrete ordinate transport code ANISN and Vitamin-C nuclear data file. The results have been used to study the question of establishment of equilibrium and of an associated fast neutron diffusion length in iron. The authors find that true equilibrium conditions are not established even inside a 3-m-radius iron sphere. However, from the study of spatial decay of total flux, one can obtain the value of the fast neutron diffusion length in iron, which in the present case is found to be 24.4 cm

A real time scintillating fiber Time of Flight spectrometer for LINAC photoproduced neutrons

Science.gov (United States)

Maspero, M.; Berra, A.; Conti, V.; Giannini, G.; Ostinelli, A.; Prest, M.; Vallazza, E.

2015-03-01

The use of high-energy (> 8 MeV) LINear ACcelerators (LINACs) for medical cancer treatments causes the photoproduction of secondary neutrons, whose unwanted dose to the patient has to be calculated. The characterization of the neutron spectra is necessary to allow the dosimetric evaluation of the neutron beam contamination. The neutron spectrum in a hospital environment is usually measured with integrating detectors such as bubble dosimeters, Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters (TLDs) or Bonner Spheres, which integrate the information over a time interval and an energy one. This paper presents the development of a neutron spectrometer based on the Time of Flight (ToF) technique in order to perform a real time characterization of the neutron contamination. The detector measures the neutron spectrum exploiting the fact that the LINAC beams are pulsed and arranged in bunches with a rate of 100-300 Hz depending on the beam type and energy. The detector consists of boron loaded scintillating fibers readout by a MultiAnode PhotoMultiplier Tube (MAPMT). A detailed description of the detector and the acquisition system together with the results in terms of ToF spectra and number of neutrons with a Varian Clinac iX are presented.

Optimization of artificial neural networks for the reconstruction of the neutrons spectrum and their equivalent doses

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reyes A, A.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Reyes H, A.; Castaneda M, R.; Solis S, L. O.; Vega C, H. R.

2014-08-01

In this work was used the robust design methodology of artificial neural networks to determine a good topology of net able to solve with efficiency the problems of neutrons spectrometry and dosimetry. For the design of the topology of optimized net 36 different net architectures based on an orthogonal arrangement with a configuration L 9 (3 4 ), L 4 (3 2 ) were trained. For the training of the neural networks, was used a computer code developed in the ambient of Mat lab programming, which automates the process and analysis of the information, reducing the time used in this activity considerably for the investigator. For the training of the propagation nets forward was utilized a neutrons spectrum compendium published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, where of the total 80% was used for the training and 20% for the test, it trained with an inverse propagation algorithm being the entrance data the count rates corresponding to the 7 spheres of the spectrometric system of Bonner spheres, as exit data, the neural network obtains the neutrons spectrum expressed in 60 energy groups and are calculated of simultaneous way 15 dosimetric quantities. (Author)

Neutron measurements in the stray field produced by 158 GeV/c lead ion beams

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Agosteo, S.; Birattari, C.; Foglio Para, A.; Nava, E.; Silari, M.; Ulrici, L.

1997-01-01

This paper discusses measurements carried out at CERN in the stray radiation field produced by 158 GeV/c 208 Pb 82+ ions. The purpose was to test and intercompare the response of several detectors, mainly neutron measuring devices, and to determine the neutron spectral fluence as well as the microdosimetric (absorbed dose and dose equivalent) distributions in different locations around the shielding. Both active instruments and passive dosimeters were employed, including different types of Andersson-Braun rem counters, a tissue equivalent proportional counter, a set of superheated drop detectors, a Bonner sphere system and different types of ion chambers. Activation measurements with 12 C plastic scintillators and with 32 S pellets were also performed to assess the neutron yield of high energy lead ions interacting with a thin gold target. The results are compared with previous measurements and with measurements made during proton runs. (author)

Project 252Cf-D2O. The multisphere system of neutron dosimetry and spectrometry (M.S.-N.D.S.). Studies of applications to health physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zaborowski, H.L.

1976-10-01

The project 252 Cf-D 2 O is articulated upon the utilization of a 200μg nominal 252 Cf spontaneous neutron fission source, used bare and under D 2 O spherical moderators, giving leakage neutron spectra experimentally known and/or calculated. This project has for objective the applications of those sources to Health Physics, in dosimetry (calibration of ''rad'' and ''rem-meters'') and in spectrometry, associated with the experimental system of measurements made by the generalization of the BONNER Spheres, known as ''the Multisphere System''. This communication describes the normalization method used and the results obtained leading to the adoption of a reference matrix called ''the Log-Normal Multisphere Matrix'' (LN-MM) giving the energies response functions of the generalized system for all the spheres diameters between 40 and 400 millimeters and for all the energies between 0.4eV and 15MeV [fr

Evolutionary neural networks: a new alternative for neutron spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Martinez B, M. R.; Vega C, H. R.; Galleo, E.

2009-10-01

A device used to perform neutron spectroscopy is the system known as a system of Bonner spheres spectrometer, this system has some disadvantages, one of these is the need for reconstruction using a code that is based on an iterative reconstruction algorithm, whose greater inconvenience is the need for a initial spectrum, as close as possible to the spectrum that is desired to avoid this inconvenience has been reported several procedures in reconstruction, combined with various types of experimental methods, based on artificial intelligence technology how genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks and hybrid systems evolved artificial neural networks using genetic algorithms. This paper analyzes the intersection of neural networks and evolutionary algorithms applied in the neutron spectroscopy and dosimetry. Due to this is an emerging technology, there are not tools for doing analysis of the obtained results, by what this paper presents a computing tool to analyze the neutron spectra and the equivalent doses obtained through the hybrid technology of neural networks and genetic algorithms. The toolmaker offers a user graphical environment, friendly and easy to operate. (author)

Dose levels due to neutrons in the vicinity of high energy medical accelerators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McGinley, P.H.; Wood, M.; Sohrabi, M.; Mills, M.; Rodriguez, R.

1976-01-01

High energy photons are generated for use in radiation therapy by the decelleration of electrons in metal targets. Fast neutrons are also generated as a result of (γ, n) and (e, e'n) interactions in the target, beam compensator filter, and collimator material. In this work the adsorbed dose to neutrons was measured at the center of a 10 x 10 cm photon beam and 5 cm outside of the beam edge for a number of treatment units. Dose levels due to slow and fast neutrons were also established outside of the treatment rooms and a Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer system was employed to determine the neutron energy spectrum due to stray neutron radiation at each accelerator. For the linac it was found that the neutron dose at the beam center was 0.0039% of the photon dose and values of 0.049% and 0.053% were observed for the Allis Chalmers betatron and the Brown Boveri Betatron. Dose equivalent rates in the range of 0.3 to 22.5 mrem/hr were measured for points outside the treatment rooms when the accelerators were operated at a photon dose rate of 100 rad/min at the treatment position

Comparison of measurements with active and passive Bonner sphere spectrometers

CERN Document Server

Hajek, M; Schoner, W; Vana, N

2000-01-01

Because of its high biological efficiency, neutron radiation can be a serious source-and not only around accelerators and nuclear fusion reactors. Roughly half of the radiation exposure of aircrew members is caused by cosmic ray-induced neutrons in a wide energy range. Therefore, following the International Commission on Radiological Protection's recommendations, aircrew are treated as occupationally exposed workers by a recent directive of the European Council, which implies various safety precautions including the dosimetric surveillance. The accurate assessment of operational and limiting quantities such as ambient dose equivalent H*(10) and effective dose E requires the knowledge of the neutron energy spectrum. The CERN-CEC neutron reference field has been designed to resemble the neutron spectrum at an average subsonic aviation altitude. Therefore, it provides an excellent calibration facility for all instruments with intended applications in this field. The stray radiation field is created by a mixed be...

Neutron spectrum and dose-equivalent in shuttle flights during solar maximum

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Keith, J E; Badhwar, G D; Lindstrom, D J [National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX (United States). Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

1992-01-01

This paper presents unambiguous measurements of the spectrum of neutrons found in spacecraft during spaceflight. The neutron spectrum was measured from thermal energies to about 10 MeV using a completely passive system of metal foils as neutron detectors. These foils were exposed to the neutron flux bare, covered by thermal neutron absorbers (Gd) and inside moderators (Bonner spheres). This set of detectors was flown on three U.S. Space Shuttle flights, STS-28, STS-36 and STS-31, during the solar maximum. We show that the measurements of the radioactivity of these foils lead to a differential neutron energy spectrum in all three flights that can be represented by a power law, J(E){approx equal}E{sup -0.765} neutrons cm{sup -2} day {sup -1} MeV{sup -1}. We also show that the measurements are even better represented by a linear combination of the terrestrial neutron albedo and a spectrum of neutrons locally produced in a aluminium by protons, computed by a previous author. We use both approximations to the neutron spectrum to produce a worst case and most probable case for the neutron spectra and the resulting dose-equivalents, computed using ICRP-51 neutron fluence-dose conversion tables. We compare these to the skin dose-equivalents due to charged particles during the same flights. (author).

Development of the neutron reference calibration field using a 252Cf standard source surrounded with PMMA moderators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoshida, T.; Kanai, K.; Tsujimura, N.

2002-01-01

The authors developed the neutron reference calibration fields using a 252 Cf standard source surrounded with PMMA moderators at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development (JNC), Tokai Works. The moderators are co-axial, hollow cylinders made of lead-contained PMMA with a thickness of 13.5, 35.0, 59.5 and 77.0mm, and the 252 Cf source is guided to the geometric center of moderators by the pneumatic system. These fields can provide the moderated neutron spectra very similar to those encountered around the globe-boxes of the fabrication process of MOX (PuO 2 -UO 2 mixed oxide) fuel. The neutron energy spectrum at the reference calibration point was evaluated from the calculations by MCNP4B and the measurements by the INS-type Bonner multi-sphere spectrometer and the hydrogen-filled proportional counters. The calculated neutron spectra were in good agreements with the measured ones. These fields were characterized in terms of the neutron fluence rate, spectral composition and ambient dose equivalent rate, and have served for the response-characterization of various neutron survey instruments

Characterisation of the IRSN CANEL/T400 facility producing realistic neutron fields for calibration and test purposes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gressier, V.; Lacoste, V.; Lebreton, L.; Muller, H.; Pelcot, G.; Bakali, M.; Fernandez, F.; Tomas, M.; Roberts, N. J.; Thomas, D. J.; Reginatto, M.; Wiegel, B.; Wittstock, J.

2004-01-01

The new CANEL/T400 facility has been set-up at the Inst. for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) to produce a realistic neutron field. The accurate characterisation of this neutron field is mandatory since this facility will be used as a reference neutron source. For this reason an international measuring campaign, involving four laboratories with extensive expertise in neutron metrology and spectrometry, was organised through a concerted EUROMET project. Measurements were performed with Bonner sphere (BS) systems to determine the energy distribution of the emitted neutrons over the whole energy range (from thermal energy up to a few MeV). Additional measurements were performed with proton recoil detectors to provide detailed information in the energy region above 90 keV. The results obtained by the four laboratories are in agreement with each other and are compared with a calculation performed with the MCNP4C Monte-Carlo code. As a conclusion of this exercise, a reliable characterisation of the CANEL/T400 neutron field is obtained. (authors)

Neutron leakage spectra from Be, Pb and U spheres at 14 MeV energy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Androsenko, A.A.; Androsenko, P.A.; Devkin, B.V.

1989-01-01

Experimental data on neutron leakage spectra from beryllium, lead and uranium spheres with a central 14 MeV neutron source using a time-of-flight spectrometer have been measured. The data were compared with those calculated with the BLANK code using different nuclear data files. 15 refs, 1 fig., 2 tabs

Criticality problems for slabs and spheres in energy dependent neutron transport theory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Victory, H.D. Jr.

1980-01-01

The steady-state equation for energy-dependent neutron transport in isotropically scattering slabs and spheres is formulated as an integral equation. The Perron-Frobenius-Jentzsch theory of positive operators is used to analyze criticality problems for transport in slab and spherical media consisting of core and reflector. In addition, with an adroit selection of diffusion-like solutions, this theory is used to obtain an expression relating the critical radius of a homogeneous sphere to a parameter characterizing fission production. 21 refs

Development of the neutron reference calibration field using a {sup 252}Cf standard source surrounded with PMMA moderators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yoshida, T.; Kanai, K.; Tsujimura, N. [Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute, Ibaraki-ken (Japan)

2002-07-01

The authors developed the neutron reference calibration fields using a {sup 252} Cf standard source surrounded with PMMA moderators at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development (JNC), Tokai Works. The moderators are co-axial, hollow cylinders made of lead-contained PMMA with a thickness of 13.5, 35.0, 59.5 and 77.0mm, and the {sup 252} Cf source is guided to the geometric center of moderators by the pneumatic system. These fields can provide the moderated neutron spectra very similar to those encountered around the globe-boxes of the fabrication process of MOX (PuO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2} mixed oxide) fuel. The neutron energy spectrum at the reference calibration point was evaluated from the calculations by MCNP4B and the measurements by the INS-type Bonner multi-sphere spectrometer and the hydrogen-filled proportional counters. The calculated neutron spectra were in good agreements with the measured ones. These fields were characterized in terms of the neutron fluence rate, spectral composition and ambient dose equivalent rate, and have served for the response-characterization of various neutron survey instruments.

Spectrometry and dosimetry of isotopic sources of neutrons by means of artificial neural networks; Espectrometria y dosimetria de fuentes isotopicas de neutrones mediante redes neuronales artificiales

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H. R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Hernandez D, V. M; Martinez B, M. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Calle Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E.; Lorente, A. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, C/Jose Gutierrez Abascal No. 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain); Barquero, R., E-mail: fermineutron@yahoo.co [Hospital del Rio Hortega, C/Dulzaina No. 2, 47012 Valladolid (Spain)

2010-09-15

The artificial neural networks technology has been applied to reconstruct the neutrons spectra of two isotopic sources: {sup 252}Cf, and {sup 241}Am-Be. Also, this technology has been applied to obtain the effective dose, E, and the personal dose equivalents, Hp(10) and environmental, H *(10). To obtain the spectra and the doses only were used the count rates produced in a Bonner Spheres spectrometer with a scintillator of {sup 6}LiI(Eu) of 0.4 {phi} x 0.4 cm{sup 2}. The equivalent environmental dose and the spectra of the sources were also obtained by means of the reconstruction code BUNKIUT. When comparing the results obtained by means of both procedures it was found that they are consistent. (Author)

Experimental test of a newly developed single-moderator, multi-detector, directional neutron spectrometer in reference monochromatic fields from 144 keV to 16.5 MeV

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); Gómez-Ros, J.M. [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Pola, A.; Bortot, D. [Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano (Italy); INFN – Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Gentile, A. [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); Introini, M.V. [Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano (Italy); INFN – Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Buonomo, B. [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); Lorenzoli, M. [Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano (Italy); INFN – Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Mazzitelli, M. [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); Sacco, D. [INFN – LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati (Roma) (Italy); INAIL – DPIA, Via di Fontana Candida n.1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone (Italy)

2015-05-11

A new directional neutron spectrometer called CYSP (CYlindrical SPectrometer) was developed within the NESCOFI@BTF (2011–2013) collaboration. The device, composed by seven active thermal neutron detectors located along the axis of a cylindrical moderator, was designed to simultaneously respond from the thermal domain up to hundreds of MeV neutrons. The new spectrometer condenses the performance of the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer in a single moderator; thus requiring only one exposure to determine the whole spectrum. The CYSP response matrix, determined with MCNP, has been experimentally evaluated with monochromatic reference neutron fields from 144 keV to 16.5 MeV, plus a {sup 252}Cf source, available at NPL (Teddington, UK). The results of the experiment confirmed the correctness of the response matrix within an overall uncertainty of ±2.5%. The new active spectrometer CYSP offers an innovative option for real-time monitoring of directional neutron fields as those produced in neutron beam-lines.

Experimental characterization of the neutron spectra generated by a high-energy clinical LINAC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amgarou, K., E-mail: khalil.amgarou@uab.e [Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN), Laboratoire de Metrologie et de Dosimetrie des Neutrons, F-13115 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance (France); Lacoste, V.; Martin, A. [Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN), Laboratoire de Metrologie et de Dosimetrie des Neutrons, F-13115 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance (France)

2011-02-11

The production of unwanted neutrons by electron linear accelerators (LINACs) has attracted a special attention since the early 50s. The renewed interest in this topic during the last years is due mainly to the increased use of such machines in radiotherapy. Specially, in most of developing countries where many old teletherapy irradiators, based on {sup 60}Co and {sup 137}Cs radioactive sources, are being replaced with new LINAC units. The main objective of this work is to report the results of an experimental characterization of the neutron spectra generated by a high-energy clinical LINAC. Measurements were carried out, considering four irradiation configurations, by means of our recently developed passive Bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS) using pure gold activation foils as central detectors. This system offers the possibility to measure neutrons over a wide energy range (from thermal up to a few MeV) at pulsed, intense and complex mixed n-{gamma} fields. A two-step unfolding method that combines the NUBAY and MAXED codes was applied to derive the final neutron spectra as well as their associated integral quantities (in terms of total neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent rates) and fluence-averaged energies.

Neutron spectrometry and determination of neutron ambient dose equivalents in different LINAC radiotherapy rooms

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Domingo, C.; Garcia-Fuste, M.J.; Morales, E.; Amgarou, K.; Terron, J.A.; Rosello, J.; Brualla, L.; Nunez, L.; Colmenares, R.; Gomez, F.; Hartmann, G.H.; Sanchez-Doblado, F.; Fernandez, F.

2010-01-01

A project has been set up to study the effect on a radiotherapy patient of the neutrons produced around the LINAC accelerator head by photonuclear reactions induced by photons above ∼8 MeV. These neutrons may reach directly the patient, or they may interact with the surrounding materials until they become thermalised, scattering all over the treatment room and affecting the patient as well, contributing to peripheral dose. Spectrometry was performed with a calibrated and validated set of Bonner spheres at a point located at 50 cm from the isocenter, as well as at the place where a digital device for measuring neutrons, based on the upset of SRAM memories induced by thermal neutrons, is located inside the treatment room. Exposures have taken place in six LINAC accelerators with different energies (from 15 to 23 MV) with the aim of relating the spectrometer measurements with the readings of the digital device under various exposure and room geometry conditions. The final purpose of the project is to be able to relate, under any given treatment condition and room geometry, the readings of this digital device to patient neutron effective dose and peripheral dose in organs of interest. This would allow inferring the probability of developing second malignancies as a consequence of the treatment. Results indicate that unit neutron fluence spectra at 50 cm from the isocenter do not depend on accelerator characteristics, while spectra at the place of the digital device are strongly influenced by the treatment room geometry.

Qualification of the monitor Pug-7N like dosimeter for neutrons; Habilitacion del monitor PUG-7N como dosimetro para neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Benites R, J. L. [Centro Estatal de Cancerologia de Nayarit, Av. Enfermeria, Fracc. Fray Junipero Serra, 63000 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico); Vega C, H. R.; Murillo O, R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Calle Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Velazquez F, J. B., E-mail: jlbenitesr@prodigy.net.mx [Universidad Autonoma de Nayarit, Postgrado CBAP, Carretera Tepic Compostela Km. 9, Xalisco, Nayarit (Mexico)

2011-10-15

By means of an inter-comparison method, the monitor for neutrons Pug-7N was enabled like dosimeter for neutrons of two magnitudes: the environmental equivalent dose, H*(10), and the H equivalent dose. The monitor Pug-7N has a plastic detector of scintillation Pns-20 that can be used inside or outside of its polyethylene cylindrical moderator. This designed to detect the neutrons presence that is shown in ana logical form by means of a fast count. Although the instrument is useful to detect the neutrons presence its design it does not allow to estimate the dose. With the purpose of enabling it as dosimeter for neutrons, their response was compared with the response of the area monitor for neutrons Bert hold Lb 6411 and Eberline NRD model Asp-1. Under the same irradiation conditions the 3 instruments were exposed to a source of {sup 241}AmBe of 3.7E(9) Bq (100 mCi) of activity whose spectrum and dosimetric magnitudes were determined with a spectrometric system of Bonner spheres with scintillator of {sup 6}Lil(Eu) and the NSDUAZ code. Conversion factors of H*(10)/cpm and H/cpm were obtained for the two options of the monitor detector Pug-7N, with this procedure the monitor Pug-7N besides determining the presence of neutrons, it has been enabled for their use as dosimeter for neutrons. (Author)

Thermoelastic expansion in prompt-critical neutron pulse idealized in a fissile metallic sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barroso, D.E.G.; Ribeiro, S.G.

1985-01-01

Prompt critical pulses in solid and homogeneous spheres of enriched uranium (93%) and metallic plutonium are studied. The feedback mechanism of the negative inserted reactivity is given by the elastic expansion due to the increase of the temperature in the sphere. Thermomechanical behavior and the capability of the system to become subcritical without a very large increase of energy released in the pulse are analysed. The neutronic and thermoelasticity equations are solved in the time. (M.C.K.) [pt

Conception of a New Recoil Proton Telescope for Real-Time Neutron Spectrometry in Proton-Therapy

Science.gov (United States)

Combe, Rodolphe; Arbor, Nicolas; el Bitar, Ziad; Higueret, Stéphane; Husson, Daniel

2018-01-01

Neutrons are the main type of secondary particles emitted in proton-therapy. Because of the risk of secondary cancer and other late occurring effects, the neutron dose should be included in the out-of-field dose calculations. A neutron spectrometer has to be used to take into account the energy dependence of the neutron radiological weighting factor. Due to its high dependence on various parameters of the irradiation (beam, accelerator, patient), the neutron spectrum should be measured independently for each treatment. The current reference method for the measurement of the neutron energy, the Bonner Sphere System, consists of several homogeneous polyethylene spheres with increasing diameters equipped with a proportional counter. It provides a highresolution reconstruction of the neutron spectrum but requires a time-consuming work of signal deconvolution. New neutron spectrometers are being developed, but the main experimental limitation remains the high neutron flux in proton therapy treatment rooms. A new model of a real-time neutron spectrometer, based on a Recoil Proton Telescope technology, has been developed at the IPHC. It enables a real-time high-rate reconstruction of the neutron spectrum from the measurement of the recoil proton trajectory and energy. A new fast-readout microelectronic integrated sensor, called FastPixN, has been developed for this specific purpose. A first prototype, able to detect neutrons between 5 and 20 MeV, has already been validated for metrology with the AMANDE facility at Cadarache. The geometry of the new Recoil Proton Telescope has been optimized via extensive Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations. Uncertainty sources have been carefully studied in order to improve simultaneously efficiency and energy resolution, and solutions have been found to suppress the various expected backgrounds. We are currently upgrading the prototype for secondary neutron detection in proton therapy applications.

Comparison of Measurements with Active and Passive Bonner Sphere Spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

M. Hajek; T. Berger; W. Schoner; N. Vana

2000-01-01

Because of its high biological efficiency, neutron radiation can be a serious source-and not only around accelerators and nuclear fusion reactors. Roughly half of the radiation exposure of aircrew members is caused by cosmic ray-induced neutrons in a wide energy range. Therefore, following the International Commission on Radiological Protection's recommendations, aircrew are treated as occupationally exposed workers by a recent directive of the European Council, which implies various safety precautions including the dosimetric surveillance. The accurate assessment of operational and limiting quantities such as ambient dose equivalent H*(10) and effective dose E requires the knowledge of the neutron energy spectrum. The CERN-CEC neutron reference field has been designed to resemble the neutron spectrum at an average subsonic aviation altitude. Therefore, it provides an excellent calibration facility for all instruments with intended applications in this field. The stray radiation field is created by a mixed beam of charged hadrons with momenta of 120 GeV/c (about 2/3 protons and 1/3 pions) incident on a cylindrical copper target (50 cm length, 7 cm diameter), which is located either under a 40-cm-thick iron shielding or under a 80-cm-thick concrete shielding. The beam monitoring is provided by a precision ionization chamber (PIC) with one PIC count corresponding to ∼ 2.2 x 10 4 primary particles. The radiation field can be simulated to a good level of detail by the Monte Carlo code FLUKA

Experimental characterization of HOTNES: A new thermal neutron facility with large homogeneity area

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bedogni, R., E-mail: roberto.bedogni@lnf.infn.it [INFN–LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati, Roma (Italy); Sperduti, A. [INFN–LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati, Roma (Italy); ENEA C.R. Frascati, via E. Fermi n. 45, 00044 Frascati, Roma (Italy); Pietropaolo, A.; Pillon, M. [ENEA C.R. Frascati, via E. Fermi n. 45, 00044 Frascati, Roma (Italy); Pola, A. [Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano (Italy); INFN–Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano (Italy); Gómez-Ros, J.M. [INFN–LNF, via E. Fermi n. 40, 00044 Frascati, Roma (Italy); CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid (Spain)

2017-01-21

A new thermal neutron irradiation facility, called HOTNES (HOmogeneous Thermal NEutron Source), was established in the framework of a collaboration between INFN-LNF and ENEA-Frascati. HOTNES is a polyethylene assembly, with about 70 cmx70 cm square section and 100 cm height, including a large, cylindrical cavity with diameter 30 cm and height 70 cm. The facility is supplied by a {sup 241}Am-B source located at the bottom of this cavity. The facility was designed in such a way that the iso-thermal-fluence surfaces, characterizing the irradiation volume, coincide with planes parallel to the cavity bottom. The thermal fluence rate across a given isofluence plane is as uniform as 1% on a disk with 30 cm diameter. Thermal fluence rate values from about 700 cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} to 1000 cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} can be achieved. The facility design, previously optimized by Monte Carlo simulation, was experimentally verified. The following techniques were used: gold activation foils to assess the thermal fluence rate, semiconductor-based active detector for mapping the irradiation volume, and Bonner Sphere Spectrometer to determine the complete neutron spectrum. HOTNES is expected to be attractive for the scientific community involved in neutron metrology, neutron dosimetry and neutron detector testing.

Thomas N Bonner (1923-2003), medical historian.

Science.gov (United States)

Bickel, Marcel H

2016-05-01

Thomas Bonner made a long academic career, teaching medical history and higher education at several American universities and presiding over three of these. He engaged in politics for 2 years. As a historian of medicine, he published important books on topics including Midwestern medicine, medical education in the United States and in European countries, the entry of women into medicine in the 19th century and on the educator Abraham Flexner. His works were based on exhaustive research, penetrating analysis, language skills and the ability to explain complex information in understandable terms. Bonner lived a passionate life of commitment and devotion to various worthwhile causes. © The Author(s) 2014.

Spectrometry and dosimetry of isotopic sources of neutrons by means of artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H. R.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Hernandez D, V. M; Martinez B, M. R.; Gallego, E.; Lorente, A.; Barquero, R.

2010-09-01

The artificial neural networks technology has been applied to reconstruct the neutrons spectra of two isotopic sources: 252 Cf, and 241 Am-Be. Also, this technology has been applied to obtain the effective dose, E, and the personal dose equivalents, Hp(10) and environmental, H *(10). To obtain the spectra and the doses only were used the count rates produced in a Bonner Spheres spectrometer with a scintillator of 6 LiI(Eu) of 0.4 φ x 0.4 cm 2 . The equivalent environmental dose and the spectra of the sources were also obtained by means of the reconstruction code BUNKIUT. When comparing the results obtained by means of both procedures it was found that they are consistent. (Author)

Iterative nonlinear unfolding code: TWOGO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hajnal, F.

1981-03-01

a new iterative unfolding code, TWOGO, was developed to analyze Bonner sphere neutron measurements. The code includes two different unfolding schemes which alternate on successive iterations. The iterative process can be terminated either when the ratio of the coefficient of variations in terms of the measured and calculated responses is unity, or when the percentage difference between the measured and evaluated sphere responses is less than the average measurement error. The code was extensively tested with various known spectra and real multisphere neutron measurements which were performed inside the containments of pressurized water reactors

An accurate and portable solid state neutron rem meter

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oakes, T.M. [Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States); Bellinger, S.L. [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (United States); Miller, W.H. [Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States); Missouri University Research Reactor, Columbia, MO (United States); Myers, E.R. [Department of Physics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States); Fronk, R.G.; Cooper, B.W [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (United States); Sobering, T.J. [Electronics Design Laboratory, Kansas State University, KS (United States); Scott, P.R. [Department of Physics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States); Ugorowski, P.; McGregor, D.S; Shultis, J.K. [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (United States); Caruso, A.N., E-mail: carusoan@umkc.edu [Department of Physics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO (United States)

2013-08-11

Accurately resolving the ambient neutron dose equivalent spanning the thermal to 15 MeV energy range with a single configuration and lightweight instrument is desirable. This paper presents the design of a portable, high intrinsic efficiency, and accurate neutron rem meter whose energy-dependent response is electronically adjusted to a chosen neutron dose equivalent standard. The instrument may be classified as a moderating type neutron spectrometer, based on an adaptation to the classical Bonner sphere and position sensitive long counter, which, simultaneously counts thermalized neutrons by high thermal efficiency solid state neutron detectors. The use of multiple detectors and moderator arranged along an axis of symmetry (e.g., long axis of a cylinder) with known neutron-slowing properties allows for the construction of a linear combination of responses that approximate the ambient neutron dose equivalent. Variations on the detector configuration are investigated via Monte Carlo N-Particle simulations to minimize the total instrument mass while maintaining acceptable response accuracy—a dose error less than 15% for bare {sup 252}Cf, bare AmBe, an epi-thermal and mixed monoenergetic sources is found at less than 4.5 kg moderator mass in all studied cases. A comparison of the energy dependent dose equivalent response and resultant energy dependent dose equivalent error of the present dosimeter to commercially-available portable rem meters and the prior art are presented. Finally, the present design is assessed by comparison of the simulated output resulting from applications of several known neutron sources and dose rates.

Performance of artificial neural networks and genetical evolved artificial neural networks unfolding techniques

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Martinez B, M. R.; Vega C, H. R.; Gallego D, E.; Lorente F, A.; Mendez V, R.; Los Arcos M, J. M.; Guerrero A, J. E.

2011-01-01

With the Bonner spheres spectrometer neutron spectrum is obtained through an unfolding procedure. Monte Carlo methods, Regularization, Parametrization, Least-squares, and Maximum Entropy are some of the techniques utilized for unfolding. In the last decade methods based on Artificial Intelligence Technology have been used. Approaches based on Genetic Algorithms and Artificial Neural Networks (Ann) have been developed in order to overcome the drawbacks of previous techniques. Nevertheless the advantages of Ann still it has some drawbacks mainly in the design process of the network, vg the optimum selection of the architectural and learning Ann parameters. In recent years the use of hybrid technologies, combining Ann and genetic algorithms, has been utilized to. In this work, several Ann topologies were trained and tested using Ann and Genetically Evolved Artificial Neural Networks in the aim to unfold neutron spectra using the count rates of a Bonner sphere spectrometer. Here, a comparative study of both procedures has been carried out. (Author)

Qualification of the monitor Pug-7N like dosimeter for neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Benites R, J. L.; Vega C, H. R.; Murillo O, R.; Velazquez F, J. B.

2011-10-01

By means of an inter-comparison method, the monitor for neutrons Pug-7N was enabled like dosimeter for neutrons of two magnitudes: the environmental equivalent dose, H*(10), and the H equivalent dose. The monitor Pug-7N has a plastic detector of scintillation Pns-20 that can be used inside or outside of its polyethylene cylindrical moderator. This designed to detect the neutrons presence that is shown in ana logical form by means of a fast count. Although the instrument is useful to detect the neutrons presence its design it does not allow to estimate the dose. With the purpose of enabling it as dosimeter for neutrons, their response was compared with the response of the area monitor for neutrons Bert hold Lb 6411 and Eberline NRD model Asp-1. Under the same irradiation conditions the 3 instruments were exposed to a source of 241 AmBe of 3.7E(9) Bq (100 mCi) of activity whose spectrum and dosimetric magnitudes were determined with a spectrometric system of Bonner spheres with scintillator of 6 Lil(Eu) and the NSDUAZ code. Conversion factors of H*(10)/cpm and H/cpm were obtained for the two options of the monitor detector Pug-7N, with this procedure the monitor Pug-7N besides determining the presence of neutrons, it has been enabled for their use as dosimeter for neutrons. (Author)

Critical parameters and decay constants for one-speed neutrons in slabs and spheres with anisotropic scattering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yildiz, C.

2001-01-01

Time-dependent, one-speed neutron transport equations with strong forward and backward scattering together with isotropic scattering are studied in homogeneous slabs and spheres. First, a simple formal equivalence between the transport equations for a critical and for a time-decaying system is established. Then, the transport equation is converted into a more conventional one. The F N method of solving the resulting transport equation is applied to the calculation of the critical parameters and decay constants for the fundamental mode of the flux distribution and one-speed neutrons in spheres and infinite slabs. Numerical results are given for a number of significant figures and compared with those already available in the literature. (orig.) [de

Measuring neutron spectra in radiotherapy using the nested neutron spectrometer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maglieri, Robert, E-mail: robert.maglieri@mail.mcgill.ca; Evans, Michael; Seuntjens, Jan; Kildea, John [Medical Physics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1 (Canada); Licea, Angel [Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9 (Canada)

2015-11-15

Purpose: Out-of-field neutron doses resulting from photonuclear interactions in the head of a linear accelerator pose an iatrogenic risk to patients and an occupational risk to personnel during radiotherapy. To quantify neutron production, in-room measurements have traditionally been carried out using Bonner sphere systems (BSS) with activation foils and TLDs. In this work, a recently developed active detector, the nested neutron spectrometer (NNS), was tested in radiotherapy bunkers. Methods: The NNS is designed for easy handling and is more practical than the traditional BSS. Operated in current-mode, the problem of pulse pileup due to high dose-rates is overcome by measuring current, similar to an ionization chamber. In a bunker housing a Varian Clinac 21EX, the performance of the NNS was evaluated in terms of reproducibility, linearity, and dose-rate effects. Using a custom maximum-likelihood expectation–maximization algorithm, measured neutron spectra at various locations inside the bunker were then compared to Monte Carlo simulations of an identical setup. In terms of dose, neutron ambient dose equivalents were calculated from the measured spectra and compared to bubble detector neutron dose equivalent measurements. Results: The NNS-measured spectra for neutrons at various locations in a treatment room were found to be consistent with expectations for both relative shape and absolute magnitude. Neutron fluence-rate decreased with distance from the source and the shape of the spectrum changed from a dominant fast neutron peak near the Linac head to a dominant thermal neutron peak in the moderating conditions of the maze. Monte Carlo data and NNS-measured spectra agreed within 30% at all locations except in the maze where the deviation was a maximum of 40%. Neutron ambient dose equivalents calculated from the authors’ measured spectra were consistent (one standard deviation) with bubble detector measurements in the treatment room. Conclusions: The NNS may

Sequential measurements of cosmic-ray neutron spectrum and dose rate at sea level in Sendai, Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakamura, Takashi; Nunomiya, Tomoya; Abe, Shigeru; Terunuma, Kazutaka; Suzuki, Hiroyuki

2005-01-01

The cosmic-ray neutron energy spectrum and dose rate were measured sequentially for two years from April 2001 up to March 2003 by using three neutron detectors, a 3 He-loaded multi-moderator detector (Bonner ball), 12.7 cm diameter by 12.7 cm long NE213 organic liquid scintillator, and high-sensitivity rem (dose equivalent) counter at the Kawauchi campus of Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan of geomagnetic latitude, 29degN, and cutoff rigidity, 10.43 GV. The neutron spectrum has three major peaks, thermal energy peak, evaporation peak around 1 MeV and cascade peak around 100 MeV. The ambient neutron dose equivalent rates measured by the rem counter, and the Bonner ball keep almost constant values of 4.0 and 6.5 (nSv/h), respectively, throughout this time period, after atmospheric pressure correction, and it often decreased about 30% after a large Solar Flare, that is called as the Forbush decrease. The total neutron flux was also obtained by the Bonner ball measurements to be 7.5x10 -3 (ncm -2 ·s -1 ) in average. The altitude variation of neutron flux and dose was also investigated by comparing the measured results with other results measured at Mt. Fuji area and aboard an airplane, where the cutoff rigidities are similar. (author)

Genetic algorithms - A new technique for solving the neutron spectrum unfolding problem

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Freeman, David W.; Edwards, D. Ray; Bolon, Albert E.

1999-01-01

A new technique utilizing genetic algorithms has been applied to the Bonner sphere neutron spectrum unfolding problem. Genetic algorithms are part of a relatively new field of 'evolutionary' solution techniques that mimic living systems with computer-simulated 'chromosome' solutions. Solutions mate and mutate to create better solutions. Several benchmark problems, considered representative of radiation protection environments, have been evaluated using the newly developed UMRGA code which implements the genetic algorithm unfolding technique. The results are compared with results from other well-established unfolding codes. The genetic algorithm technique works remarkably well and produces solutions with relatively high spectral qualities. UMRGA appears to be a superior technique in the absence of a priori data - it does not rely on 'lucky' guesses of input spectra. Calculated personnel doses associated with the unfolded spectra match benchmark values within a few percent

Gamma-ray emission spectra from spheres with 14 MeV neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamamoto, Junji; Kanaoka, Takeshi; Murata, Isao; Takahashi, Akito; Sumita, Kenji

1989-01-01

Energy spectra of neutron-induced gamma-rays emitted from spherical samples were measured using a 14 MeV neutron source. The samples in use were LiF, Teflon:(CF 2 ) n , Si, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Nb, Mo, W and Pb. A diameter of the sphere was either 40 or 60 cm. The gamma-ray energy in the emission spectra covered the range from 500 keV to 10 MeV. Measured spectra were compared with transport calculations using the nuclear data files of JENDL-3T and ENDF/B-IV. The agreements between the measurements and the JENDL-3T calculations were good in the emission spectra for the low energy gamma-rays from inelastic scattering. (author)

Characterization of neutron spectra using sources of {sup 241}AmBe, {sup 238}PuBe e {sup 252}Cf moderated in water; Caracterização de espectros neutrônicos com fontes de {sup 241}AmBe, {sup 238}PuBe e {sup 252}Cf moderados em água

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gonçalves, A.S.; Silva, F.S.; Patrão, K.C.S.; Fonseca, E.S. da; Pereira, W.W., E-mail: angela.souzagon@gmail.com [Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Laboratório de Metrologia de Nêutrons

2017-07-01

Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of characterizing the spectrum of neutron sources for various energies in order to make the understanding of neutron interaction closer to reality they work with. This work presents the determination of neutron energy flux from the source of {sup 241}AmBe (0.6 TBq), {sup 238}PuBe (1.8 TBq) and {sup 252}Cf (120 μg) free in the air and inserted into spheres of various diameters containing distilled water. The determination of the spectrum is based on the measurement and simulation by the Monte Carlo computational method, using the sources under study, with the Bonner multisphere spectrometer containing readings with the detector without sphere and covered with polyethylene balls of diameters: 5,08 cm (2 ″), 7.62 cm (3″), 12.70 cm (5 ″), 20.32 cm (8 ″), 25.40 cm (10 ″) and 30.48 cm (12 ″). It is sought to characterize a new moderate spectrum in water using the sources of {sup 241}AmBe, {sup 238}PuBe and {sup 252}Cf that may be useful for testing, calibration and irradiation of individual and area monitors for neutrons.

Determination of the neutron spectra in the treatment room of a linear accelerator for radiotherapy; Determinacion de los espectros de neutrones en la sala de tratamiento de un acelerador lineal para radioterapia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Cuerpo Academico de Radiobiologia, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico); Barquero, R. [Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, Valladolid (Spain); Mendez, R.; Iniguez, M.P. [Depto. de Fisica Teorica, Atomica, Molecular y Nuclear, Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid (Spain)

2003-07-01

By means of a series of measures and Monte Carlo calculations the dosimetric characteristics of the photoneutrons have been determined that take place in volume to a linear accelerator of radiotherapy of 18 MV, LINAC, mark Siemens Mevatron model. The measures were carried out with thermoluminescent dosemeters TLD 600 and TLD 700 that were naked exposed and confined with cover of Cd and Sn, inside a sphere of paraffin and inside spheres Bonner. (Author)

Analysis of tritium production in concentric spheres of oralloy and 6LiD irradiated by 14-MeV neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fawcett, L.R. Jr.; Roberts, R.R. II; Hunter, R.E.

1988-03-01

Tritium production and activation of radiochemical detector foils in a sphere of 6 LiD with an oralloy core irradiated by a central source of 14-MeV neutrons have been calculated and compared with experimental measurements. The experimental assembly consisted of an oralloy sphere surrounded by three solid 6 LiD concentric shells with ampules of 6 LiH and 7 LiH and activation foils located in several positions throughout the assembly. The Los Alamos Monte Carlo Neutron Photon Transport Code (MCNP) was used to calculate neutron transport throughout the system, tritium production in the ampules, and foil activation. The overall experimentally observed-to-calculated ratios of tritium production were 0.996 +- 2.5% in 6 Li ampules and 0.903 +- 5.2% in 7 Li ampules. Observed-to-calculated ratios for foil activation are also presented. 11 refs., 4 figs., 7 tabs

Neutron skyshine measurement at a K1200 superconducting heavy ion cyclotron using bubble dosimeters

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mukherjee, B. [Safety Div., Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Menai (Australia); Ronningen, R.M. [Michigan State Univ., National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab., East Lansing, MI (United States); Rossi, P. [Michigan State Univ., Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety, East Lansing, MI (United States)

1999-07-01

Understanding the characteristics of the neutron skyshine radiation is necessary for an accurate assessment of the environmental dose in the vicinity of the containment of a high-energy particle accelerator. At the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), neutron skyshine was measured, using beams of 140 MeV/nucleon {sup 4}He and 80 MeV/nucleon {sup 22}Ne ions from the K1200 superconducting cyclotron. After passing through a radioactive-beam production target, the ion beam stopped in a solid aluminium stopping bar inside of a dipole magnet, resulting in the production of high energy fragmentation as well as evaporation neutrons in the NSCL Analysis Hall. The neutron dose equivalent and energy spectrum at the 1.37 m thick concrete roof of the Analysis Hall, directly above the aluminium target bar (reference point), were estimated, using a spherical 'rem-counter' and a set of seven Bonner-spheres, respectively. The skyshine dose, from neutrons transmitted through 21.5-cm local iron 'shielding' of the dipole magnet and the concrete roof, were evaluated using superheated bubble dosimeters at 50 m, 75 m, 100 m and 115 m from the reference point. The neutron doses beyond the extremity of the NSCL facility were extrapolated from the results of this investigation and were used to predict the exposure to members of the public by considering the operation schedule of the K1200 cyclotron. (authors)

Determination of the neutron spectra in the treatment room of a linear accelerator for radiotherapy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega C, H.R.; Barquero, R.; Mendez, R.; Iniguez, M.P.

2003-01-01

By means of a series of measures and Monte Carlo calculations the dosimetric characteristics of the photoneutrons have been determined that take place in volume to a linear accelerator of radiotherapy of 18 MV, LINAC, mark Siemens Mevatron model. The measures were carried out with thermoluminescent dosemeters TLD 600 and TLD 700 that were naked exposed and confined with cover of Cd and Sn, inside a sphere of paraffin and inside spheres Bonner. (Author)

Study of neutron spectra using sources of {sup 241}AmBE and {sup 238}PuBe moderated in water; Estudo de espectros neutrônicos com fontes de {sup 241}AmBE e {sup 238}PuBe moderados em água

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gonçalves, Angela S.; Silva, Fellipe S.; Patrão, Karla C.S.; Fonseca, Evaldo S. da; Pereira, Walsan W., E-mail: angela.souzagon@gmail.com [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria, (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Laboratorio de Metrologia de Neutrons; Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques (FTESM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil)

2017-11-01

Recent works demonstrate the increasing importance of characterizing the spectrum of neutron sources for various energies. The main objective of this study is to make the understanding of the interaction of neutrons as close as possible to the reality in which the workers act, thus allowing to act directly in the area of radioprotection. In this way, neutron fluence determination of the {sup 241}AmBe source of 0.6 TBq (16 Ci) and {sup 238} PuBe 1.8 TBq (50 Ci) free in the air and inserted in aluminium spheres of 16 cm and 20.5 cm filled with distilled water. The measurements were carried out in the low scattering laboratory of the Laboratory of Neutron Metrology, in order to obtain a more realistic spectrum. Spectrum determination is based on measurement using the Bonner multisphere spectrometer containing readings with the ball-free detector and covered with polyethylene spheres having diameters of: 5,08 cm (2″), 7,62 cm (3″), 12,70 cm (5″), 20,32 cm (8″), 25,40 cm (10″) e 30,48 cm (12″). The aim is to characterize a new moderate spectrum in water using the sources of {sup 238}PuBe and {sup 241}AmBe that may represent realistic fields in the radioprotection area useful for testing, calibration and irradiation of individual and area monitors for neutrons.

Sensitive and transportable gadolinium-core plastic scintillator sphere for neutron detection and counting

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dumazert, Jonathan; Coulon, Romain; Carrel, Frédérick; Corre, Gwenolé; Normand, Stéphane [CEA, LIST, Laboratoire Capteurs Architectures Electroniques, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Méchin, Laurence [CNRS, UCBN, Groupe de Recherche en Informatique, Image, Automatique et Instrumentation de Caen, 14050 Caen (France); Hamel, Matthieu [CEA, LIST, Laboratoire Capteurs Architectures Electroniques, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

2016-08-21

Neutron detection forms a critical branch of nuclear-related issues, currently driven by the search for competitive alternative technologies to neutron counters based on the helium-3 isotope. The deployment of plastic scintillators shows a high potential for efficient detectors, safer and more reliable than liquids, more easily scalable and cost-effective than inorganic. In the meantime, natural gadolinium, through its 155 and mostly 157 isotopes, presents an exceptionally high interaction probability with thermal neutrons. This paper introduces a dual system including a metal gadolinium core inserted at the center of a high-scale plastic scintillator sphere. Incident fast neutrons are thermalized by the scintillator shell and then may be captured with a significant probability by gadolinium 155 and 157 nuclei in the core. The deposition of a sufficient fraction of the capture high-energy prompt gamma signature inside the scintillator shell will then allow discrimination from background radiations by energy threshold, and therefore neutron detection. The scaling of the system with the Monte Carlo MCNPX2.7 code was carried out according to a tradeoff between the moderation of incident fast neutrons and the probability of slow neutron capture by a moderate-cost metal gadolinium core. Based on the parameters extracted from simulation, a first laboratory prototype for the assessment of the detection method principle has been synthetized. The robustness and sensitivity of the neutron detection principle are then assessed by counting measurement experiments. Experimental results confirm the potential for a stable, highly sensitive, transportable and cost-efficient neutron detector and orientate future investigation toward promising axes.

Sensitive and transportable gadolinium-core plastic scintillator sphere for neutron detection and counting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dumazert, Jonathan; Coulon, Romain; Carrel, Frédérick; Corre, Gwenolé; Normand, Stéphane; Méchin, Laurence; Hamel, Matthieu

2016-01-01

Neutron detection forms a critical branch of nuclear-related issues, currently driven by the search for competitive alternative technologies to neutron counters based on the helium-3 isotope. The deployment of plastic scintillators shows a high potential for efficient detectors, safer and more reliable than liquids, more easily scalable and cost-effective than inorganic. In the meantime, natural gadolinium, through its 155 and mostly 157 isotopes, presents an exceptionally high interaction probability with thermal neutrons. This paper introduces a dual system including a metal gadolinium core inserted at the center of a high-scale plastic scintillator sphere. Incident fast neutrons are thermalized by the scintillator shell and then may be captured with a significant probability by gadolinium 155 and 157 nuclei in the core. The deposition of a sufficient fraction of the capture high-energy prompt gamma signature inside the scintillator shell will then allow discrimination from background radiations by energy threshold, and therefore neutron detection. The scaling of the system with the Monte Carlo MCNPX2.7 code was carried out according to a tradeoff between the moderation of incident fast neutrons and the probability of slow neutron capture by a moderate-cost metal gadolinium core. Based on the parameters extracted from simulation, a first laboratory prototype for the assessment of the detection method principle has been synthetized. The robustness and sensitivity of the neutron detection principle are then assessed by counting measurement experiments. Experimental results confirm the potential for a stable, highly sensitive, transportable and cost-efficient neutron detector and orientate future investigation toward promising axes.

Neutron production from 158 GeV/c per nucleon lead ions on thin copper and lead targets in the angular range 30-135 deg

CERN Document Server

Agosteo, S; Foglio-Para, A; Gini, L; Mitaroff, W A; Silari, Marco; Ulrici, L

2002-01-01

The neutron emission from 5, 10 and 20 mm thick lead and 10 and 20 mm thick copper targets bombarded by a lead ion beam with momentum of 158 GeV/c per nucleon were measured at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The neutron yield and spectral fluence per incident ion on target were measured with an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer in the angular range 30-135 deg. with respect to beam direction. Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code were performed to establish a guess spectrum for the unfolding of the experimental data. The results have shown that, lacking Monte Carlo radiation transport codes dealing with ions with masses larger than 1 amu, a reasonable prediction can be carried out by scaling the result of a Monte Carlo calculation for protons by the projectile mass number to the power of 0.85-0.95 for a lead target and 0.88-1.03 for a copper target.

Uncertainties related to numerical methods for neutron spectra unfolding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glodic, S.; Ninkovic, M.; Adarougi, N.A.

1987-10-01

One of the often used techniques for neutron detection in radiation protection utilities is the Bonner multisphere spectrometer. Besides its advantages and universal applicability for evaluating integral parameters of neutron fields in health physics practices, the outstanding problems of the method are data analysis and the accuracy of the results. This paper briefly discusses some numerical problems related to neutron spectra unfolding, such as uncertainty of the response matrix as a source of error, and the possibility of real time data reduction using spectrometers. (author)

Integral measurements using the 'sphere method'. The case of carbon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haouat, G.; Lachkar, J.; Patin, Y.; Cocu, F.; Sigaud, J.; Cotten, D.

1977-01-01

The time-of-flight spectrum of direct and scattered neutrons with a 10cm diameter carbon sphere. (The direct neutron energy is 14.81MeV, the basic time-of-flight being 6m). The time-of-flight spectrum of the neutrons from T(d,n) 4 He is given in the same experimental conditions (without the carbon sphere) [fr

Neutron production from 40 GeV/c mixed proton/pion beam on copper, silver and lead targets in the angular range 30-135 degree

CERN Document Server

Agosteo, S; Dimovasili, E; Foglio-Para, A; Silari, M; Ulrici, L; Vincke, H

2005-01-01

The neutron emission from 50 mm thick copper, silver and lead targets bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with momentum of 40 GeV/c were measured at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The neutron yield and spectral fluence per incident particle on target were measured with an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer in the angular range 30-135 degree with respect to the beam direction. Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code were performed to provide a priori information for the unfolding of the experimental data. The spectral fluences show two peaks, an isotropic evaporation component centred at 3 MeV and a high-energy peak sitting around 100-150 MeV. The experimental neutron yields are given in four energy bins: less than 100 keV, 0.1-20 MeV, 20-500 MeV and 0.5-2 GeV. The total yields show a systematic discrepancy of 30-50%, with a peak of 70% at the largest angles, with respect to the results of the Monte Carlo simulations, which it is believed to be mainly due to uncertainties in the beam normaliza...

The response of the BTI bubble detectors in mixed gamma-neutron workplace fields

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vanhavere, F.; Coeck, M.; Lievens, B.; Reginatto, M.

2005-01-01

Full text: Bubble detectors have become a mature technology and are used as neutron dosemeters in a wide range of applications. At the SCK-CEN and Belgonucleaire they are used as official personal neutron dosemeter for the personnel. Two types are commercially available from Bubble Technology Industries: the BD-PND, which has a neutron energy threshold of around 100 keV, and the BDT, which is mainly sensitive to thermal neutrons. At Belgonucleaire only the BD-PND is worn, and the results are corrected with a site specific factor. At the SCK-CEN both the BD-PND and BDT are worn and a combination of both results is applied for the dose records. In the EC project EVIDOS (Evaluation of Individual Dosimetry in Mixed Neutron and Photon Radiation Fields), a whole range of neutron dosemeters were irradiated in workplace fields in nuclear installations in Europe, including both types of bubble detectors. The bubble detectors were exposed on a phantom with different angles towards the reference directions in the workplace fields. We will report the bubble detectors' results in the simulated workplace fields at Cadarache (CANEL and Sigma), in the workplaces at Kruemmel (boiling water reactor, transport cask), at Mol (Venus research reactor SCK-CEN, MOX-fuel facility Belgonucleaire) and Ringhals (pressurized water reactor, transport cask). The responses of the bubble detectors and the combination of both will be compared to the reference values determined with Bonner Spheres and a novel directional spectrometer. The dosemeter readings were checked for consistency by folding the dosemeter response functions with the corresponding workplace fluence spectra in the same workplace. (author)

Ultra small angle neutron scattering : a tool to study packing of relatively monodisperse small polymer spheres and their binary mixtures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reynolds, Philip A.; McGillivray, Duncan J.; White, John W.; Jackson, Andrew J.; University of Maryland, College Paerk, Maryland, USA

2009-01-01

Full text: We measured ultra small angle neutron scattering (USANS) from polymethylmethacrylate spheres tamped down in air. Two slightly polydisperse pure sphere sizes (1.5/-lm and 7.5/-lm diameter) and five mixtures of these were used. All were loose packed (packing fractions 0.3 to 0.6) with nongravitational forces (e.g., friction) important, preventing close packing. The USANS data is rich in information on powder packing. A modified Percus-Yevick fluid model was used to parametrise the data - adequately but not well. The modifications required introduction of small voids, less than the sphere size, and a parameter reflecting substantial deviation from the Percus-Yevick prediction of the sphere-sphere correlation function. The mixed samples fitted less well, and two further modifying factors were necessary. These were local inhomogeneities, where the concentration of same-size spheres, both large and small, deviated from the mean packing, and a factor accounting for the presence within these 'clusters' of self avoidance of the large spheres (that is large spheres coated with more small spheres than Percus-Yevick would predict). The overall deviations from the hardsphere Percus-Yevick model that we find here suggests fluid models of loose packed powders are unlikely to be successful, but lay the groundwork for future theoretical and computational work.

Measured Neutron Spectra and Dose Equivalents From a Mevion Single-Room, Passively Scattered Proton System Used for Craniospinal Irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Howell, Rebecca M., E-mail: rhowell@mdanderson.org [Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (United States); Burgett, Eric A.; Isaacs, Daniel [Department of Nuclear Engineering, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho (United States); Price Hedrick, Samantha G.; Reilly, Michael P.; Rankine, Leith J.; Grantham, Kevin K.; Perkins, Stephanie; Klein, Eric E. [Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (United States)

2016-05-01

Purpose: To measure, in the setting of typical passively scattered proton craniospinal irradiation (CSI) treatment, the secondary neutron spectra, and use these spectra to calculate dose equivalents for both internal and external neutrons delivered via a Mevion single-room compact proton system. Methods and Materials: Secondary neutron spectra were measured using extended-range Bonner spheres for whole brain, upper spine, and lower spine proton fields. The detector used can discriminate neutrons over the entire range of the energy spectrum encountered in proton therapy. To separately assess internally and externally generated neutrons, each of the fields was delivered with and without a phantom. Average neutron energy, total neutron fluence, and ambient dose equivalent [H* (10)] were calculated for each spectrum. Neutron dose equivalents as a function of depth were estimated by applying published neutron depth–dose data to in-air H* (10) values. Results: For CSI fields, neutron spectra were similar, with a high-energy direct neutron peak, an evaporation peak, a thermal peak, and an intermediate continuum between the evaporation and thermal peaks. Neutrons in the evaporation peak made the largest contribution to dose equivalent. Internal neutrons had a very low to negligible contribution to dose equivalent compared with external neutrons, largely attributed to the measurement location being far outside the primary proton beam. Average energies ranged from 8.6 to 14.5 MeV, whereas fluences ranged from 6.91 × 10{sup 6} to 1.04 × 10{sup 7} n/cm{sup 2}/Gy, and H* (10) ranged from 2.27 to 3.92 mSv/Gy. Conclusions: For CSI treatments delivered with a Mevion single-gantry proton therapy system, we found measured neutron dose was consistent with dose equivalents reported for CSI with other proton beamlines.

Intercomparison of radiation protection devices in a high-energy stray neutron field. Part III: Instrument response

CERN Document Server

Silari, M; Beck, P; Bedogni, R; Cale, E; Caresana, M; Domingo, C; Donadille, L; Dubourg, N; Esposito, A; Fehrenbacher, G; Fernández, F; Ferrarini, M; Fiechtner, A; Fuchs, A; García, M J; Golnik, N; Gutermuth, F; Khurana, S; Klages, Th; Latocha, M; Mares, V; Mayer, S; Radon, T; Reithmeier, H; Rollet, S; Roos, H; Rühm, W; Sandri, S; Schardt, D; Simmer, G; Spurný, F; Trompier, F; Villa-Grasa, C; Weitzenegger, E; Wiegel, B; Wielunski, M; Wissmann, F; Zechner, A; Zielczyński, M

2009-01-01

The European Commission has funded within its 6th Framework Programme a three-year project (2005–2007) called CONRAD, COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry. The organizational framework for this project was provided by the European radiation Dosimetry Group EURADOS. Work Package 6 of CONRAD dealt with “complex mixed radiation fields at workplaces” and in this context it organised a benchmark exercise, which included both measurements and calculations, in a stray radiation field at a high-energy particle accelerator at GSI, Germany. The aim was to intercompare the response of several types of active detectors and passive dosemeters in a well-characterised workplace field. The Monte Carlo simulations of the radiation field and the experimental determination of the neutron spectra with various Bonner Sphere Spectrometers are discussed in Rollet et al. (2008) and in Wiegel et al. (2008). This paper focuses on the intercomparison of the response of the dosemeters in terms of ambient dose equivalent. Th...

A study of the cosmic-ray neutron field near interfaces

CERN Document Server

Sheu, R J; Jiang, S H

2002-01-01

This study investigated the characteristics of the cosmic-ray neutron field near air/ground and air/water interfaces with an emphasis on the angular distribution. Two sets of high-efficiency neutron detecting systems were used. The first one, called the Bonner Cylinders, was used for measurements of the energy information. The other one, referred to as the eight-channel neutron detector (8CND), was used to characterize the angular information of the neutron field. The measured results were used to normalize and confirm one-dimensional transport calculations for cosmic-ray neutrons below 20 MeV in the air/ground and air/water media. Annual sea level cosmic-ray neutron doses were then determined based on the obtained characteristics of low-energy cosmic-ray neutrons near interfaces and estimated contribution from high-energy neutrons.

Design and validation of a single sphere multi-detector neutron spectrometer based on LiF: Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent dosemeters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gomez-Ros, Jose Maria; Bedogni, Roberto; Moraleda, Montserrat; Romero, Ana; Delgado, Antonio; Esposito, Adolfo

2010-01-01

This communication describes a new neutron spectrometer consisting of pairs of 7 Li and 6 Li based thermoluminescent dosemeters (MCP-6, MCP-7) located at selected positions within a single moderating polyethylene sphere. The spatial arrangement of the dosemeters has been designed using the MCNPX Monte Carlo code to calculate the response matrix in order to obtain a nearly isotropic response for neutrons in the energy range up to 20 MeV. A partial validation of the calculated response matrix has been performed with the calibrated 241 Am-Be neutron source at the INFN-LNF Laboratory, using the shadow cone technique.

Arbitrary quadratures determination of the monoenergetic neutron density in an homogeneous finite sphere with isotropic scattering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanchez G, J.

2015-09-01

The solution of the so-called Canonical problems of neutron transport theory has been given by Case, who developed a method akin to the classical eigenfunction expansion procedure, extended to admit singular eigenfunctions. The solution is given as a set consisting of a Fredholm integral equation coupled with a transcendental equation, which has to be solved for the expansion coefficients by iteration. CASE's method make extensive use of the results of the theory of functions of a complex variable and many successful approaches to solve in an approximate form the above mentioned set have been reported in the literature. We present here an entirely different approach which deals with the canonical problems in a more direct and elementary manner. As far as we know, the original idea for the latter method is due to Carlvik who devised the escape probability approximation to the solution of the neutron transport equation in its integral form. In essence, the procedure consists in assuming a sectionally constant form of the neutron density that in turn yields a set of linear algebraic equations obeyed by the assumed constant values of the density. Very well established techniques of numerical analysis for the solution of integral equations consist in independent approaches that generalize the sectionally constant approach by assuming a sectionally low degree polynomial for the unknown function. This procedure also known as the arbitrary quadratures method is especially suited to deal with cases where the kernel of the integral equation is singular. The author wishes to present the results obtained with the arbitrary quadratures method for the numerical calculation of the monoenergetic neutron density in a critical, homogeneous sphere of finite radius with isotropic scattering. The singular integral equation obeyed by the neutron density in the critical sphere is introduced, an outline of the method's main features is given, and tables and graphs of the density

Arbitrary quadratures determination of the monoenergetic neutron density in an homogeneous finite sphere with isotropic scattering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sanchez G, J., E-mail: julian.sanchez@inin.gob.mx [ININ, Carretera Mexico-Toluca s/n, 52750 Ocoyoacac, Estado de Mexico (Mexico)

2015-09-15

The solution of the so-called Canonical problems of neutron transport theory has been given by Case, who developed a method akin to the classical eigenfunction expansion procedure, extended to admit singular eigenfunctions. The solution is given as a set consisting of a Fredholm integral equation coupled with a transcendental equation, which has to be solved for the expansion coefficients by iteration. CASE's method make extensive use of the results of the theory of functions of a complex variable and many successful approaches to solve in an approximate form the above mentioned set have been reported in the literature. We present here an entirely different approach which deals with the canonical problems in a more direct and elementary manner. As far as we know, the original idea for the latter method is due to Carlvik who devised the escape probability approximation to the solution of the neutron transport equation in its integral form. In essence, the procedure consists in assuming a sectionally constant form of the neutron density that in turn yields a set of linear algebraic equations obeyed by the assumed constant values of the density. Very well established techniques of numerical analysis for the solution of integral equations consist in independent approaches that generalize the sectionally constant approach by assuming a sectionally low degree polynomial for the unknown function. This procedure also known as the arbitrary quadratures method is especially suited to deal with cases where the kernel of the integral equation is singular. The author wishes to present the results obtained with the arbitrary quadratures method for the numerical calculation of the monoenergetic neutron density in a critical, homogeneous sphere of finite radius with isotropic scattering. The singular integral equation obeyed by the neutron density in the critical sphere is introduced, an outline of the method's main features is given, and tables and graphs of the density

Characterization of a neutron source of {sup 239}PuBe; Caracterizacion de una fuente de neutrones de {sup 239}PuBe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hernandez V, R.; Chacon R, A.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Mercado, G. A.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Calle Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas (Mexico); Ramirez G, J. [Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Geografia e Informatica, Direccion General de Innovacion y Tecnologia de Informacion, Av. Heroes de Nacozari Sur 2301, Fracc. Jardines del Parque, 20276 Aguascalientes (Mexico)], e-mail: ruben_zac@yahoo.com

2009-10-15

The spectrum equivalent dose and environmental equivalent dose f a {sup 239}PuBe source have been determined. The appropriate handling of a neutron source depends on the knowledge of its characteristics, such as its energy distribution, total rate of flowing and dosimetric magnitudes. In many facilities have not spectrometer that allows to determine the spectrum and then area monitors are used that give a dosimetric magnitude starting from measuring the flowing rate and the use of conversion factors, however this procedure has many limitations and it is preferable to measure the spectra and starting from this information the interest dosimetric magnitudes are calculated. In this work a Bonner sphere spectrometer has been used with a {sup 6}LiI(Eu) scintillator obtaining the count rates that produce, to a distance of 100 cm, a {sup 239}PuBe source of 1.85E(11) Bq. The spectrum was reconstructed starting from the count rates using BUNKIUT code and response matrix UTA4. With the spectrum information was calculated the source intensity, total flow, energy average, equivalent dose rate, environmental equivalent dose rate, equivalent dose coefficient and environmental equivalent dose coefficient. By means of two area monitors for neutrons, Eberline ASP-1 and LB 6411 of Berthold the equivalent dose and environmental equivalent dose were measured. The determinate values were compared with those reported in literature and it found that are coincident inside 17%. (Author)

Summary of personal neutron dosemeter results obtained within the EVIDOS project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luszik-Bhadra, M.; Reginatto, M.; Schuhmacher, H.; Bolognese-Milsztajn, T.; Lacoste, V.; Boschung, M.; Fiechtner, A.; Coeck, M.; Vanhavere, F.; Curzio, G.; Errico d', F.; Kylloenen, J.-E.; Lindborg, L.; Bartlett, D.; Tanner, R.

2005-01-01

Full text: Within the EC project EVIDOS ('Evaluation of Individual Dosimetry in Mixed Neutron and Photon Radiation Fields'), different types of neutron personal dosemeters were irradiated in workplace fields in nuclear installations in Europe. Mostly electronic personal neutron dosemeters were tested, among them commercial devices (Thermo Electron EPD-N, Aloka PDM-313), devices from first industrial prototype series (Thermo Electron EPD-N2, Saphydose-n) and laboratory prototypes which were already in the stage of lightweight battery-operated instruments (PTB DOS-2002). In addition, dosemeters with (almost) immediate readout (BTI bubble detectors, Rados DIS-N) and passive dosemeters which needed no fielddependent calibration factors (PADC track detectors from PSI and NRPB) were used, as well as those TLD albedo dosemeters which are routinely used in the facilities visited. The results of measurements obtained within the EVIDOS project in workplace fields in nuclear installations in Europe, i.e. at Kruemmel (boiling water reactor, transport cask), at Mol (Venus research reactor, fuel facility Belgonucleaire) and at Ringhals (pressurized water reactor, transport cask) are presented and compared to reference values of personal dose equivalent H p (10) determined by means of Bonner spheres and novel directional spectrometers. In fields with strong back-scatter and moderation of neutrons, several dosemeters showed overreadings by more than a factor of two. In strongly directed fields with neutron dose equivalent peaked at about 1 MeV (MOX fuel), the same dosemeters showed under-readings of about a factor of two. These under- and over-readings in the workplace fields can be explained in terms of the dosemeter response functions for mono-energetic neutrons, which show over-responses in the thermal and intermediate neutron energy region and under-responses at about 1 MeV neutron energy. The dosemeter readings obtained in the workplace fields were checked for consistency by

Characterization of a neutron source of 239PuBe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez V, R.; Chacon R, A.; Hernandez D, V. M.; Mercado, G. A.; Vega C, H. R.; Ramirez G, J.

2009-10-01

The spectrum equivalent dose and environmental equivalent dose f a 239 PuBe source have been determined. The appropriate handling of a neutron source depends on the knowledge of its characteristics, such as its energy distribution, total rate of flowing and dosimetric magnitudes. In many facilities have not spectrometer that allows to determine the spectrum and then area monitors are used that give a dosimetric magnitude starting from measuring the flowing rate and the use of conversion factors, however this procedure has many limitations and it is preferable to measure the spectra and starting from this information the interest dosimetric magnitudes are calculated. In this work a Bonner sphere spectrometer has been used with a 6 LiI(Eu) scintillator obtaining the count rates that produce, to a distance of 100 cm, a 239 PuBe source of 1.85E(11) Bq. The spectrum was reconstructed starting from the count rates using BUNKIUT code and response matrix UTA4. With the spectrum information was calculated the source intensity, total flow, energy average, equivalent dose rate, environmental equivalent dose rate, equivalent dose coefficient and environmental equivalent dose coefficient. By means of two area monitors for neutrons, Eberline ASP-1 and LB 6411 of Berthold the equivalent dose and environmental equivalent dose were measured. The determinate values were compared with those reported in literature and it found that are coincident inside 17%. (Author)

Neutron production from 40 GeV/c mixed proton/pion beam on copper, silver and lead targets in the angular range 30-135 deg

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Agosteo, S. [Dipartimento di Ingegneria Nucleare, Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milan (Italy); Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan (Italy); Birattari, C. [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan (Italy); Universita degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan (Italy); Dimovasili, E. [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland); Foglio Para, A. [Dipartimento di Ingegneria Nucleare, Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/3, 20133 Milan (Italy); Silari, M. [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland)]. E-mail: marco.silari@cern.ch; Ulrici, L. [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland); Vincke, H. [CERN, 1211 Geneva 23 (Switzerland)

2005-02-01

The neutron emission from 50 mm thick copper, silver and lead targets bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with momentum of 40 GeV/c were measured at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The neutron yield and spectral fluence per incident particle on target were measured with an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer in the angular range 30-135 deg with respect to the beam direction. Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code were performed to provide a priori information for the unfolding of the experimental data. The spectral fluences show two peaks, an isotropic evaporation component centred at 3 MeV and a high-energy peak sitting around 100-150 MeV. The experimental neutron yields are given in four energy bins: <100 keV, 0.1-20 MeV, 20-500 MeV and 0.5-2 GeV. The total yields show a systematic discrepancy of 30-50%, with a peak of 70% at the largest angles, with respect to the results of the Monte Carlo simulations, which it is believed to be mainly due to uncertainties in the beam normalization factor. Analytic expressions are given for the variation of the integral yield as a function of emission angle and of target mass number.

Neutron production from 40 GeV/c mixed proton/pion beam on copper, silver and lead targets in the angular range 30-135 deg

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Agosteo, S.; Birattari, C.; Dimovasili, E.; Foglio Para, A.; Silari, M.; Ulrici, L.; Vincke, H.

2005-01-01

The neutron emission from 50 mm thick copper, silver and lead targets bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with momentum of 40 GeV/c were measured at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The neutron yield and spectral fluence per incident particle on target were measured with an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer in the angular range 30-135 deg with respect to the beam direction. Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code were performed to provide a priori information for the unfolding of the experimental data. The spectral fluences show two peaks, an isotropic evaporation component centred at 3 MeV and a high-energy peak sitting around 100-150 MeV. The experimental neutron yields are given in four energy bins: <100 keV, 0.1-20 MeV, 20-500 MeV and 0.5-2 GeV. The total yields show a systematic discrepancy of 30-50%, with a peak of 70% at the largest angles, with respect to the results of the Monte Carlo simulations, which it is believed to be mainly due to uncertainties in the beam normalization factor. Analytic expressions are given for the variation of the integral yield as a function of emission angle and of target mass number

Neutron production from 40 GeV/c mixed proton/pion beam on copper, silver and lead targets in the angular range 30-135°

Science.gov (United States)

Agosteo, S.; Birattari, C.; Dimovasili, E.; Foglio Para, A.; Silari, M.; Ulrici, L.; Vincke, H.

2005-02-01

The neutron emission from 50 mm thick copper, silver and lead targets bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with momentum of 40 GeV/c were measured at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The neutron yield and spectral fluence per incident particle on target were measured with an extended range Bonner sphere spectrometer in the angular range 30-135° with respect to the beam direction. Monte Carlo simulations with the FLUKA code were performed to provide a priori information for the unfolding of the experimental data. The spectral fluences show two peaks, an isotropic evaporation component centred at 3 MeV and a high-energy peak sitting around 100-150 MeV. The experimental neutron yields are given in four energy bins: <100 keV, 0.1-20 MeV, 20-500 MeV and 0.5-2 GeV. The total yields show a systematic discrepancy of 30-50%, with a peak of 70% at the largest angles, with respect to the results of the Monte Carlo simulations, which it is believed to be mainly due to uncertainties in the beam normalization factor. Analytic expressions are given for the variation of the integral yield as a function of emission angle and of target mass number.

High energy neutron dosimeter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rai, K.S.F.

1994-01-01

A device for measuring dose equivalents in neutron radiation fields is described. The device includes nested symmetrical hemispheres (forming spheres) of different neutron moderating materials that allow the measurement of dose equivalents from 0.025 eV to past 1 GeV. The layers of moderating material surround a spherical neutron counter. The neutron counter is connected by an electrical cable to an electrical sensing means which interprets the signal from the neutron counter in the center of the moderating spheres. The spherical shape of the device allows for accurate measurement of dose equivalents regardless of its positioning. 2 figures

Method for producing small hollow spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hendricks, C.D.

1979-01-01

A method is described for producing small hollow spheres of glass, metal or plastic, wherein the sphere material is mixed with or contains as part of the composition a blowing agent which decomposes at high temperature (T >approx. 600 0 C). As the temperature is quickly raised, the blowing agent decomposes and the resulting gas expands from within, thus forming a hollow sphere of controllable thickness. The thus produced hollow spheres (20 to 10 3 μm) have a variety of application, and are particularly useful in the fabrication of targets for laser implosion such as neutron sources, laser fusion physics studies, and laser initiated fusion power plants

The effect of, within the sphere confined, particle diffusion on the line shape of incoherent cold neutron scattering spectra

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cvikl, B.; Dahlborg, U.; Calvo-Dahlborg, M.

1999-01-01

Based upon the model of particles diffusion within the sphere of partially absorbing boundaries, the possibilities of the detection, by the incoherent cold neutron scattering method, of particle precipitation on the boundary walls, has been investigated. The calculated scattering law as a function of the boundary absorption properties exhibits distinct characteristic which might, under favorable conditions, make such an experimental attempt feasible.(author)

Neutron field characterization and dosimetry at the TRIUMF proton therapy facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mukherjee, B.

2002-01-01

Full text: In 1972 the 500 MeV H' Cyclotron of the TRIUMF (Tri University Meson Factory) located in Vancouver, Canada became operational. Beside Meson Physics, high-energy protons of various energy and beam current levels from the TRIUMF Cyclotron are used for scientific research and biomedical applications. Recently, a 500 MeV proton beam from the cyclotron was used as the booster beam for the radioactive ion beam facility, ISAC (Isotope Separator Accelerator) and a second beam as primary irradiation source for the Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF). The major commercial applications of the PIF are the provision of high-energy proton beams for radiation hardness testing of electronic components used in space applications (NASA) and proton therapy of ocular tumors (British Columbia Proton Therapy Facility). The PIF vault was constructed within the main accelerator hall of the TRIUMF using stacks of large concrete blocks. An intense field of fast neutrons is produced during the interaction of high-energy proton beam with target materials, such as, beam stops, collimators and beam energy degraders. The leakage of such neutrons due to insufficient radiological shielding or through the shielding discontinuities may constitute a major share of the personnel radiation exposure of the radiation workers. The neutron energy distribution and dose equivalent near a lead beam stopper bombarded with 116 MeV and 65 MeV collimated proton beams at the Ocular Tumor irradiation facility were evaluated using a Bonner-Sphere Spectrometer and a REM counter respectively. The results were utilized to investigate efficacy of the existing radiological shielding of the PIF. This paper highlights experimental methods to analyze the high-energy accelerator produced neutron beam and basic guideline for the radiological shielding designs of irradiation vault of Proton Therapy facilities

Neutrons for sale

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Daviss, B.

1997-01-01

A fusion machine, in the form of a sphere small enough to fit on a desktop, is described. It can be switched on and off at will and produces virtually no radioactive waste. The fusion sphere creates an electric potential which forms deuterium ions into beams and accelerates them towards the centre. Nuclei of deuterium inside a central spherical wire grid fuse to create neutrons, helium -3 and traces of hydrogen and tritium. The rudimentary device is expected to go on sale in a commercial form in 1998. The immediate applications are those which require a yield of neutrons falling in the range 10 7 to 10 10 neutrons per second. This is expected to be well within the capability of the sphere and would allow neutron activation analysis to be carried out for the detection of hidden high explosives in airport baggage checks, or impurities in ores as they are mined for example. With higher neutron yields other applications such as the treatment of tumours could become viable but the technical problems are likely to multiply with the increasing yields. (UK)

Design of an artificial neural network, with the topology oriented to the reconstruction of neutron spectra; Diseno de una red neuronal artificial, con la topologia orientada a la reconstruccion del espectro de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arteaga A, T.; Ortiz R, J.M.; Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.; Mercado S, G.A. [Unidades Academicas de Estudios Nucleares, Ingenieria Electrica y Matematicas, Universidad de Zacatecas, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)]. e-mail: tarcicio70@yahoo.co.uk

2006-07-01

People that live in high places respect to the sea level, in latitudes far from the equator or that they travel by plane, they are exposed to atmospheres of high radiation generated by the cosmic rays. Another atmosphere with radiation is the medical equipment, particle accelerators and nuclear reactors. The evaluation of the biological risk for neutron radiation requires an appropriate and sure dosimetry. A commonly used system is the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (EEB) with the purpose of reconstructing the spectrum that is important because the equivalent dose for neutrons depends strongly on its energy. The count rates obtained in each sphere are treated, in most of the cases, for iterative methods, Monte Carlo or Maximum Entropy. Each one of them has difficulties that it motivates to the development of complementary procedures. Recently it has been used Artificial Neural Networks, ANN) and not yet conclusive results have been obtained. In this work it was designed an ANN to obtain the neutron energy spectrum neutrons starting from the counting rate of count of an EEB. The ANN was trained with 129 reference spectra obtained of the IAEA (1990, 2001), 24 were built as defined energy, including isotopic sources of neutrons of reference and operational, of accelerators, reactors, mathematical functions, and of defined energy with several peaks. The spectrum was transformed from lethargy units to energy and were reaccommodated in 31 energies using the Monte Carlo code 4C. The reaccommodated spectra and the response matrix UTA4 were used to calculate the prospective count rates in the EEB. These rates were used as entrance and its respective spectrum was used as output during the net training. The net design is Retropropagation type with 5 layers of 7, 140, 140, 140 and 31 neurons, transfer function logsig, tansig, logsig, logsig, logsig respectively. Training algorithm, traingdx. After the training, the net was proven with a group of training spectra and others that

A neutron detector for measurement of total neutron production cross sections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sekharan, K.K.; Laumer, H.; Kern, B.D.; Gabbard, F.

1976-01-01

A neutron detector has been constructed and calibrated for the accurate measurement of total neutron production cross sections. The detector consists of a polyethylene sphere of 60 cm diameter in which eight 10 BF 3 counters have been installed radially. The relative efficiency of this detector has been determined for average neutron energies from 30 keV to 1.5 MeV by counting neutrons from 7 Li(p, n) 7 Be. By adjusting the radial positions of the BF 3 counters in the polyethylene sphere the efficiency for neutron detection was made nearly constant for this energy range. Measurement of absolute efficiency for the same neutron energy range has been done by counting the neutrons from 51 V(p, n) 51 Cr and 57 Fe(p, n) 57 Co reactions and determining the absolute number of residual nuclei produced during the measurement of neutron yield. Details of absolute efficiency measurements and the use of the detector for determination of neutron production cross sections are given. (Auth.)

SU-F-BRE-11: Neutron Measurements Around the Varian TrueBeam Linac

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maglieri, R; Seuntjens, J; Kildea, J [McGill University, Montreal, QC (Canada); Liang, L; DeBlois, F [Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC (Canada); Evans, M [Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC (Canada); Licea, A [Canadian Nuclear Safety Comission, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada); Dubeau, J; Witharana, S [Detec, Gatineau, QC (Canada)

2014-06-15

Purpose: With the emergence of flattening filter free (FFF) photon beams, several authors have noted many advantages to their use. One such advantage is the decrease in neutron production by photonuclear reactions in the linac head. In the present work we investigate the reduction in neutrons from a Varian TrueBeam linac using the Nested Neutron Spectrometer (NNS, Detec). The neutron spectrum, total fluence and source strength were measured and compared for 10 MV with and without flattening filter and the effect of moderation by the room and maze was studied for the 15 MV beam. Methods: The NNS, similar to traditional Bonner sphere detectors but operated in current mode, was used to measure the neutron fluence and spectrum. The NNS was validated for use in high dose rate environments using Monte Carlo simulations and calibrated at NIST and NRC Canada. Measurements were performed at several positions within the treatment room and maze with the linac jaws closed to maximize neutron production. Results: The measurements showed a total fluence reduction between 35-40% in the room and maze when the flattening filter was removed. The neutron source strength Qn was calculated from in-room fluence measurements and was found to be 0.042 × 10{sup 2} n/Gy, 0.026 × 10{sup 2} n/Gy and 0.59 × 101{sup 2} n/Gy for the 10 MV, the 10 MV FFF and 15 MV beams, respectively. We measured ambient equivalent doses of 11 mSv/hr, 7 mSv/hr and 218 mSv/hr for the 10 MV, 10 MV FFF and 15 MV by the head. Conclusion: Our measurements revealed a decrease in total fluence, neutron source strength and equivalent dose of approximately 35-40% across the treatment room for the FFF compared to FF modes. This demonstrates, as expected, that the flattening filter is a major component of the neutron production for the TrueBeam. The authors greatly acknowledge support form the Canadian Nuclear Commission and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through the CREATE program. Co

High energy dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ruhm, W.

2010-01-01

Full text: Currently, quantification of doses from high-energy radiation fields is a topical issue. This is so because high-energy neutrons play an important role for radiation exposure of air crew members and personnel outside the shielding of ion therapy facilities. In an effort to study air crew exposure from cosmic radiation in detail, two Bonner Sphere Spectrometers (BSSs) have recently been installed to measure secondary neutrons from cosmic radiation, one at the environmental research station 'Schneefernerhaus' at an altitude of 2650 m on the Zugspitze mountain, Germany, the other at the Koldewey station close to the North Pole on Spitsbergen. Based on the measured neutron fluence distributions and on fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients, mean ambient dose equivalent rate values of 75.0 ± 2.9 nSv/h and 8.7 ± 0.6 nSv/h were obtained for October 2008, respectively. Neutrons with energies above about 20 MeV contribute about 50% to dose, at 2650 m. Ambient dose equivalent rates measured by means of a standard rem counter and an extended rem counter at the Schneefernerhaus confirm this result. In order to study the response of state-of-the-art radiation instrumentation in such a high-energy radiation field, a benchmark exercise that included both measurements in and simulation of the stray neutron radiation field at the high-energy particle accelerator at GSI, Germany, were performed. This CONRAD (COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry) project was funded by the European Commission, and the organizational framework was provided by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group, EURADOS. The Monte Carlo simulations of the radiation field and the experimental determination of the neutron spectra with various Bonner Sphere Spectrometers suggest the neutron fluence distributions to be very similar to those of secondary neutrons from cosmic radiation. The results of this intercomparison exercise in terms of ambient dose equivalent are also discussed

Catalogue to select the initial guess spectrum during unfolding

CERN Document Server

Vega-Carrillo, H R

2002-01-01

A new method to select the initial guess spectrum is presented. Neutron spectra unfolded from Bonner sphere data are dependent on the initial guess spectrum used in the unfolding code. The method is based on a catalogue of detector count rates calculated from a set of reported neutron spectra. The spectra of three isotopic neutron sources sup 2 sup 5 sup 2 Cf, sup 2 sup 3 sup 9 PuBe and sup 2 sup 5 sup 2 Cf/D sub 2 O, were measured to test the method. The unfolding was carried out using the three initial guess options included in the BUNKIUT code. Neutron spectra were also calculated using MCNP code. Unfolded spectra were compared with those calculated; in all the cases our method gives the best results.

Design of an artificial neural network, with the topology oriented to the reconstruction of neutron spectra

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arteaga A, T.; Ortiz R, J.M.; Vega C, H.R.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Manzanares A, E.; Mercado S, G.A.

2006-01-01

People that live in high places respect to the sea level, in latitudes far from the equator or that they travel by plane, they are exposed to atmospheres of high radiation generated by the cosmic rays. Another atmosphere with radiation is the medical equipment, particle accelerators and nuclear reactors. The evaluation of the biological risk for neutron radiation requires an appropriate and sure dosimetry. A commonly used system is the Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (EEB) with the purpose of reconstructing the spectrum that is important because the equivalent dose for neutrons depends strongly on its energy. The count rates obtained in each sphere are treated, in most of the cases, for iterative methods, Monte Carlo or Maximum Entropy. Each one of them has difficulties that it motivates to the development of complementary procedures. Recently it has been used Artificial Neural Networks, ANN) and not yet conclusive results have been obtained. In this work it was designed an ANN to obtain the neutron energy spectrum neutrons starting from the counting rate of count of an EEB. The ANN was trained with 129 reference spectra obtained of the IAEA (1990, 2001), 24 were built as defined energy, including isotopic sources of neutrons of reference and operational, of accelerators, reactors, mathematical functions, and of defined energy with several peaks. The spectrum was transformed from lethargy units to energy and were reaccommodated in 31 energies using the Monte Carlo code 4C. The reaccommodated spectra and the response matrix UTA4 were used to calculate the prospective count rates in the EEB. These rates were used as entrance and its respective spectrum was used as output during the net training. The net design is Retropropagation type with 5 layers of 7, 140, 140, 140 and 31 neurons, transfer function logsig, tansig, logsig, logsig, logsig respectively. Training algorithm, traingdx. After the training, the net was proven with a group of training spectra and others that

A neutron detector for measurement of total neutron production cross sections

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sekharan, K K; Laumer, H; Kern, B D; Gabbard, F [Kentucky Univ., Lexington (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

1976-03-01

A neutron detector has been constructed and calibrated for the accurate measurement of total neutron production cross sections. The detector consists of a polyethylene sphere of 60 cm diameter in which eight /sup 10/BF/sub 3/ counters have been installed radially. The relative efficiency of this detector has been determined for average neutron energies from 30 keV to 1.5 MeV by counting neutrons from /sup 7/Li(p, n)/sup 7/Be. By adjusting the radial positions of the BF/sub 3/ counters in the polyethylene sphere the efficiency for neutron detection was made nearly constant for this energy range. Measurement of absolute efficiency for the same neutron energy range has been done by counting the neutrons from /sup 51/V(p, n)/sup 51/Cr and /sup 57/Fe(p, n)/sup 57/Co reactions and determining the absolute number of residual nuclei produced during the measurement of neutron yield. Details of absolute efficiency measurements and the use of the detector for determination of neutron production cross sections are given.

New trends in the ICRU sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Morstin, K.; Kawecka, B.; Booz, J.

1985-01-01

A space transformation has been applied that enables the transport equation to be efficiently solved for spheres exposed to radiations of almost arbitrary angular distribution. Depth dose distributions in the ICRU sphere have been calculated with the 1-D ANISN transport code for neutron energies from thermal up to 20 MeV and for photons up to 15 MeV. Several irradiation geometries are considered. For deep-penetrating radiations, maximum possible dose equivalent index significantly exceeds Hsub(10) star

Neutron diffusion in spheroidal, bispherical, and toroidal systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Williams, M.M.R.

1986-01-01

The neutron flux has been studied around absorbing bodies of spheroidal, bispherical, and toroidal shapes in an infinite nonabsorbing medium. Exact solutions have been obtained by using effective boundary conditions at the surfaces of the absorbing bodies. The problems considered are as follows: 1. Neutron flux and current distributions around prolate and oblate spheroids. It is shown that an equivalent sphere approximation can lead to accurate values for the rate of absorption. 2. Neutron flux and current in a bispherical system of unequal spheres. Three separate situations arise here: (a) two absorbing spheres, (b) two spherical sources, and (c) one spherical source and one absorbing sphere. It is shown how the absorption rate in the two spheres depends on their separation. 3. Neutron flux and current in a toroidal system: (a) an absorbing toroid and (b) a toroidal source. The latter case simulates the flux distribution from a thermonuclear reactor vessel. Finally, a brief description of how these techniques can be extended to multiregion problems is given

Design of a computation tool for neutron spectrometry and dosimetry through evolutionary neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.; Martinez B, M. R.; Gallego, E.

2009-10-01

The neutron dosimetry is one of the most complicated tasks of radiation protection, due to it is a complex technique and highly dependent of neutron energy. One of the first devices used to perform neutron spectrometry is the system known as spectrometric system of Bonner spheres, that continuous being one of spectrometers most commonly used. This system has disadvantages such as: the components weight, the low resolution of spectrum, long and drawn out procedure for the spectra reconstruction, which require an expert user in system management, the need of use a reconstruction code as BUNKIE, SAND, etc., which are based on an iterative reconstruction algorithm and whose greatest inconvenience is that for the spectrum reconstruction, are needed to provide to system and initial spectrum as close as possible to the desired spectrum get. Consequently, researchers have mentioned the need to developed alternative measurement techniques to improve existing monitoring systems for workers. Among these alternative techniques have been reported several reconstruction procedures based on artificial intelligence techniques such as genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks and hybrid systems of evolutionary artificial neural networks using genetic algorithms. However, the use of these techniques in the nuclear science area is not free of problems, so it has been suggested that more research is conducted in such a way as to solve these disadvantages. Because they are emerging technologies, there are no tools for the results analysis, so in this paper we present first the design of a computation tool that allow to analyze the neutron spectra and equivalent doses, obtained through the hybrid technology of neural networks and genetic algorithms. This tool provides an user graphical environment, friendly, intuitive and easy of operate. The speed of program operation is high, executing the analysis in a few seconds, so it may storage and or print the obtained information for

Design of a computation tool for neutron spectrometry and dosimetry through evolutionary neural networks; Diseno de una herramienta de computo para la espectrometria y dosimetria de neutrones por medio de redes neuronales evolutivas

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde No. 801, Col. Centro, Zacatecas (Mexico); Martinez B, M. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde No. 801, Col. Centro, Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, Jose Gutierrez Abascal No. 2, E-28006 Madrid (Spain)], e-mail: morvymmyahoo@com.mx

2009-10-15

The neutron dosimetry is one of the most complicated tasks of radiation protection, due to it is a complex technique and highly dependent of neutron energy. One of the first devices used to perform neutron spectrometry is the system known as spectrometric system of Bonner spheres, that continuous being one of spectrometers most commonly used. This system has disadvantages such as: the components weight, the low resolution of spectrum, long and drawn out procedure for the spectra reconstruction, which require an expert user in system management, the need of use a reconstruction code as BUNKIE, SAND, etc., which are based on an iterative reconstruction algorithm and whose greatest inconvenience is that for the spectrum reconstruction, are needed to provide to system and initial spectrum as close as possible to the desired spectrum get. Consequently, researchers have mentioned the need to developed alternative measurement techniques to improve existing monitoring systems for workers. Among these alternative techniques have been reported several reconstruction procedures based on artificial intelligence techniques such as genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks and hybrid systems of evolutionary artificial neural networks using genetic algorithms. However, the use of these techniques in the nuclear science area is not free of problems, so it has been suggested that more research is conducted in such a way as to solve these disadvantages. Because they are emerging technologies, there are no tools for the results analysis, so in this paper we present first the design of a computation tool that allow to analyze the neutron spectra and equivalent doses, obtained through the hybrid technology of neural networks and genetic algorithms. This tool provides an user graphical environment, friendly, intuitive and easy of operate. The speed of program operation is high, executing the analysis in a few seconds, so it may storage and or print the obtained information for

Differential rotation of viscous neutron matter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nitsch, J.; Pfarr, J.; Heintzmann, H.

1976-08-01

The reaction of homogeneous sphere of neutron matter set in rotational motion under the influence of an external torque acting on its surface is investigated. For neutron matter with a typical neutron star density of 10 15 gcm -3 and a temperature varying between 10 6 and 10 9 K originally in uniform rotation, a time dependent differential motion sets in, which lasts a time scale of hours to some decades, resulting finally in co-rotation. During these times the braking index of a magnetic neutron sphere very sensitively depends on time

Calibration and intercomparison of neutron moderation spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rimpler, A.; Hermanska, J.; Prouza, Z.

1989-01-01

Results have been reported of comparative measurements of neutron fields from bare PuBe and Cf sources using multisphere (Bonner) spectrometers. The experiments were carried out by the Institute of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine at Charles University in Prague and the National Board for Atomic Safety and Radiation Protection in Berlin. Both sides agreed upon uniform measuring conditions and calibration factors thus rendering possible the comparability of the dosimetric parameters which have been determined and verified, respectively, to an accuracy of ± 10%. 20 refs., 10 tabs., 2 figs. (author)

Burnable neutron absorbers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radford, K.C.; Carlson, W.G.

1983-01-01

A neutron-absorber body for use in burnable poison rods in a nuclear reactor. The body is composed of a matrix of Al 2 O 3 containing B 4 C, the neutron absorber. Areas of high density polycrystalline Al 2 O 3 particles are predominantly encircled by pores in some of which there are B 4 C particles. This body is produced by initially spray drying a slurry of A1 2 O 3 powder to which a binder has been added. The powder of agglomerated spheres of the A1 2 O 3 with the binder are dry mixed with B 4 C powder. The mixed powder is formed into a green body by isostatic pressure and the green body is sintered. The sintered body is processed to form the neutron-absorber body. In this case the B 4 C particles are separate from the spheres resulting from the spray drying instead of being embedded in the sphere

Intercomparison of radiation protection devices in a high-energy stray neutron field. Part III: Instrument response

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silari, M.; Agosteo, S.; Beck, P.; Bedogni, R.; Cale, E.; Caresana, M.; Domingo, C.; Donadille, L.; Dubourg, N.; Esposito, A.; Fehrenbacher, G.; Fernandez, F.; Ferrarini, M.; Fiechtner, A.; Fuchs, A.; Garcia, M.J.; Golnik, N.; Gutermuth, F.; Khurana, S.; Klages, Th.

2009-01-01

The European Commission has funded within its 6th Framework Programme a three-year project (2005-2007) called CONRAD, COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry. The organizational framework for this project was provided by the European radiation Dosimetry Group EURADOS. Work Package 6 of CONRAD dealt with 'complex mixed radiation fields at workplaces' and in this context it organised a benchmark exercise, which included both measurements and calculations, in a stray radiation field at a high-energy particle accelerator at GSI, Germany. The aim was to intercompare the response of several types of active detectors and passive dosemeters in a well-characterised workplace field. The Monte Carlo simulations of the radiation field and the experimental determination of the neutron spectra with various Bonner Sphere Spectrometers are discussed in Rollet et al. (2008) and in Wiegel et al. (2008). This paper focuses on the intercomparison of the response of the dosemeters in terms of ambient dose equivalent. The paper describes in detail the detectors employed in the experiment, followed by a discussion of the results. A comparison is also made with the H*(10) values predicted by the Monte Carlo simulations and those measured by the BSS systems.

Method and apparatus for producing small hollow spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hendricks, C.D.

1979-01-01

A method and apparatus are described for producing small hollow spheres of glass, metal or plastic, wherein the sphere material is mixed with or contains as part of the composition a blowing agent which decomposes at high temperature (T greater than or equal to 600 0 C). As the temperature is quickly raised, the blowing agent decomposes and the resulting gas expands from within, thus forming a hollow sphere of controllable thickness. The thus produced hollow spheres (20 to 10 3 μm) have a variety of application, and are particularly useful in the fabrication of targets for laser implosion such as neutron sources, laser fusion physics studies, and laser initiated fusion power plants

A 'hybrid' neutron area survey instrument for the determination of neutron dose quantities in the workplace

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tanner, R.J.; Jenkins, R.; Lowe, T.; Silvie, J.; Joyce, M.J.; Winsby, A.; Molinos, C.

2005-01-01

Full text: Neutron survey instruments are used routinely to determine the dose rates in areas where persons may be occupationally exposed. With a few exceptions, these instruments generally use a proportional counter with a high thermal neutron response located in a moderating sphere of CH 2 . The moderating sphere in such designs contains a thermal neutron absorber to reduce the over-response to thermal and intermediate energy neutrons. However, the commercially available examples of such instruments tend to have strongly energy dependent ambient dose equivalent response characteristics. In particular, they often over-respond in the energy range between 1 eV and 10 keV. A prototype of a novel design has been produced that uses seven detectors located in a moderating sphere of CH 2 , six near the surface to detect thermal and epithermal neutrons, and one in the centre to detect fast neutrons. This has been characterized using a combination of MCNP modelling and measurements to produce an instrument that has improved energy dependence of response characteristics. Additionally, the use of seven detectors offers direction and field hardness information. The design and calibration of the instrument are described and its response in workplaces calculated. (author)

Orsphere: Physics Measurments For Bare, HEU(93.2)-Metal Sphere

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marshall, Margaret A. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Bess, John D. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Briggs, J. Blair [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); White, Christine E. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Dyrda, James P. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Tancock, Nigel P. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Mihalczo, John [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

2015-03-01

In the early 1970s Dr. John T. Mihalczo (team leader), J.J. Lynn, and J.R. Taylor performed experiments at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility (ORCEF) with highly enriched uranium (HEU) metal (called Oak Ridge Alloy or ORALLOY) in an attempt to recreate GODIVA I results with greater accuracy than those performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1950s (HEU-MET-FAST-001). The purpose of the Oak Ridge ORALLOY Sphere (ORSphere) experiments was to estimate the unreflected and unmoderated critical mass of an idealized sphere of uranium metal corrected to a density, purity, and enrichment such that it could be compared with the GODIVA I experiments. “The very accurate description of this sphere, as assembled, establishes it as an ideal benchmark for calculational methods and cross-section data files” (Reference 1). While performing the ORSphere experiments care was taken to accurately document component dimensions (±0.0001 inches), masses (±0.01 g), and material data. The experiment was also set up to minimize the amount of structural material in the sphere proximity. Two, correlated spheres were evaluated and judged to be acceptable as criticality benchmark experiments. This evaluation is given in HEU-MET-FAST-100. The second, smaller sphere was used for additional reactor physics measurements. Worth measurements (Reference 1, 2, 3 and 4), the delayed neutron fraction (Reference 3, 4 and 5) and surface material worth coefficient (Reference 1 and 2) are all measured and judged to be acceptable as benchmark data. The prompt neutron decay (Reference 6), relative fission density (Reference 7) and relative neutron importance (Reference 7) were measured, but are not evaluated. Information for the evaluation was compiled from References 1 through 7, the experimental logbooks 8 and 9 ; additional drawings and notes provided by the experimenter; and communication with the lead experimenter, John T. Mihalczo.

Evaluating the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz-Rodríguez, J. M.; Reyes Alfaro, A.; Reyes Haro, A.; Solís Sánches, L. O.; Miranda, R. Castañeda; Cervantes Viramontes, J. M.; Vega-Carrillo, H. R.

2013-01-01

In this work the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks is evaluated. The first one code based on traditional iterative procedures and called Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry from the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ) use the SPUNIT iterative algorithm and was designed to unfold neutron spectrum and calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and 7 IAEA survey meters. The main feature of this code is the automated selection of the initial guess spectrum trough a compendium of neutron spectrum compiled by the IAEA. The second one code known as Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry with artificial neural networks (NDSann) is a code designed using neural nets technology. The artificial intelligence approach of neural net does not solve mathematical equations. By using the knowledge stored at synaptic weights on a neural net properly trained, the code is capable to unfold neutron spectrum and to simultaneously calculate 15 dosimetric quantities, needing as entrance data, only the rate counts measured with a Bonner spheres system. Similarities of both NSDUAZ and NSDann codes are: they follow the same easy and intuitive user's philosophy and were designed in a graphical interface under the LabVIEW programming environment. Both codes unfold the neutron spectrum expressed in 60 energy bins, calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and generate a full report in HTML format. Differences of these codes are: NSDUAZ code was designed using classical iterative approaches and needs an initial guess spectrum in order to initiate the iterative procedure. In NSDUAZ, a programming routine was designed to calculate 7 IAEA instrument survey meters using the fluence-dose conversion coefficients. NSDann code use artificial neural networks for solving the ill-conditioned equation system of neutron spectrometry problem through synaptic weights of a properly trained neural network. Contrary to iterative procedures, in neural

Evaluating the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks

Science.gov (United States)

Ortiz-Rodríguez, J. M.; Reyes Alfaro, A.; Reyes Haro, A.; Solís Sánches, L. O.; Miranda, R. Castañeda; Cervantes Viramontes, J. M.; Vega-Carrillo, H. R.

2013-07-01

In this work the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks is evaluated. The first one code based on traditional iterative procedures and called Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry from the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ) use the SPUNIT iterative algorithm and was designed to unfold neutron spectrum and calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and 7 IAEA survey meters. The main feature of this code is the automated selection of the initial guess spectrum trough a compendium of neutron spectrum compiled by the IAEA. The second one code known as Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry with artificial neural networks (NDSann) is a code designed using neural nets technology. The artificial intelligence approach of neural net does not solve mathematical equations. By using the knowledge stored at synaptic weights on a neural net properly trained, the code is capable to unfold neutron spectrum and to simultaneously calculate 15 dosimetric quantities, needing as entrance data, only the rate counts measured with a Bonner spheres system. Similarities of both NSDUAZ and NSDann codes are: they follow the same easy and intuitive user's philosophy and were designed in a graphical interface under the LabVIEW programming environment. Both codes unfold the neutron spectrum expressed in 60 energy bins, calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and generate a full report in HTML format. Differences of these codes are: NSDUAZ code was designed using classical iterative approaches and needs an initial guess spectrum in order to initiate the iterative procedure. In NSDUAZ, a programming routine was designed to calculate 7 IAEA instrument survey meters using the fluence-dose conversion coefficients. NSDann code use artificial neural networks for solving the ill-conditioned equation system of neutron spectrometry problem through synaptic weights of a properly trained neural network. Contrary to iterative procedures, in neural

Evaluating the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz-Rodriguez, J. M.; Reyes Alfaro, A.; Reyes Haro, A.; Solis Sanches, L. O.; Miranda, R. Castaneda; Cervantes Viramontes, J. M. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica. Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde 801. Col. Centro Zacatecas, Zac (Mexico); Vega-Carrillo, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Ingenieria Electrica. Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde 801. Col. Centro Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico. and Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares. C. Cip (Mexico)

2013-07-03

In this work the performance of two neutron spectrum unfolding codes based on iterative procedures and artificial neural networks is evaluated. The first one code based on traditional iterative procedures and called Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry from the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (NSDUAZ) use the SPUNIT iterative algorithm and was designed to unfold neutron spectrum and calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and 7 IAEA survey meters. The main feature of this code is the automated selection of the initial guess spectrum trough a compendium of neutron spectrum compiled by the IAEA. The second one code known as Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry with artificial neural networks (NDSann) is a code designed using neural nets technology. The artificial intelligence approach of neural net does not solve mathematical equations. By using the knowledge stored at synaptic weights on a neural net properly trained, the code is capable to unfold neutron spectrum and to simultaneously calculate 15 dosimetric quantities, needing as entrance data, only the rate counts measured with a Bonner spheres system. Similarities of both NSDUAZ and NSDann codes are: they follow the same easy and intuitive user's philosophy and were designed in a graphical interface under the LabVIEW programming environment. Both codes unfold the neutron spectrum expressed in 60 energy bins, calculate 15 dosimetric quantities and generate a full report in HTML format. Differences of these codes are: NSDUAZ code was designed using classical iterative approaches and needs an initial guess spectrum in order to initiate the iterative procedure. In NSDUAZ, a programming routine was designed to calculate 7 IAEA instrument survey meters using the fluence-dose conversion coefficients. NSDann code use artificial neural networks for solving the ill-conditioned equation system of neutron spectrometry problem through synaptic weights of a properly trained neural network. Contrary to iterative procedures, in

Measurement and simulation of the radiation environment in the lower atmosphere for dose assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pioch, Christian Dieter

2012-01-01

Flying personnel is occupationally exposed to rather high radiation levels due to secondary cosmic radiation. Therefore, the radiation environment induced in the lower atmosphere by galactic and solar cosmic radiation was characterized by means of particle transport calculations using GEANT4. These calculations were validated with continuous measurements of the energy spectra of secondary neutrons with Bonner sphere spectrometers at the Zugspitze mountain and near the North Pole. The response of these instruments was determined with GEANT4 and for the first time experimentally verified at high neutron energies (244 and 387 MeV). Route doses for aircrews along typical long-haul flights were determined for galactic and solar cosmic radiation using most recent data on the magnetospheric field and primary cosmic radiation.

Computer simulations of a rough sphere fluid

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lyklema, J.W.

1978-01-01

A computer simulation is described on rough hard spheres with a continuously variable roughness parameter, including the limits of smooth and completely rough spheres. A system of 500 particles is simulated with a homogeneous mass distribution at 8 different densities and for 5 different values of the roughness parameter. For these 40 physically different situations the intermediate scattering function for 6 values of the wave number, the orientational correlation functions and the velocity autocorrelation functions have been calculated. A comparison has been made with a neutron scattering experiment on neopentane and agreement was good for an intermediate value of the roughness parameter. Some often made approximations in neutron scattering experiments are also checked. The influence of the variable roughness parameter on the correlation functions has been investigated and three simple stochastic models studied to describe the orientational correlation function which shows the most pronounced dependence on the roughness. (Auth.)

Neutron spectrometry for protection dosimetry at very low levels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bardell, A.G.; Thomas, D.J.

1996-01-01

Dose limits for exposure of members of the public are significantly lower than those for designated radiation workers. The new ICRP 60 recommendation for critical groups of the general public is an effective dose limit of 1 mSv per year which requires a measurement capability at levels down to about 100 nSv h - 1. Radiation protection dosimetry for neutrons at these levels is problematical, nevertheless, operators of nuclear sites are still required to demonstrate acceptably low radiation levels in areas accessible to the public. In addition to the known poor dose equivalent response of available dosemeters, there is an added problem at low levels of inadequate sensitivity. Personal dosemeters are certainly not sufficiently sensitive, and the sensitivity of area survey instruments is such that they can only be used in integral mode Even then, the statistical uncertainties are likely to be large. One further problem concerns the quantity measured. Survey instruments are designed to measure the operational quantity ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), which always tends to be an overestimate of the present limiting quantity effective dose equivalent. If in any situation exposure is near the limit, an estimate of H*(10) may not be sufficient to prove conclusively that levels are less than the statutory limit, and a direct estimate of effective dose equivalent may need to be made. The only way of estimating effective dose equivalent is via an absolute spectral measurement. From such a spectrum any relevant dosimetric quantity can be estimated via tabulated fluence to dose equivalent conversion factors. (Certain quantities also require information about the angular dependence of the field - see later text). Spectrometry at such low neutron fluence levels is difficult, however, there is one instrument available which can perform the required measurements, and this is a well characterised Bonner sphere (BS) set. (author)

Radiological safety around a Linac of 18 MV; Seguridad radiologica alrededor de un LINAC de 18 MV

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ceron R, P.; Rivera M, T. [IPN, Centro de Investigacion en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Calz. Legaria No. 694, Col. Irrigacion, 11500 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Paredes G, L. [ININ, Carretera Mexico-Toluca s/n, 52750 Ocoyoacac, Estado de Mexico (Mexico); Azorin N, J. [Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco No. 186, Col. Vicentina, 09340 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Sanchez, A. [IPN, Escuela Superior de Fisica y Matematicas, Av. IPN s/n, Edif. 9, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07738 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Vega C, H. R., E-mail: victceronr@hotmail.com [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 09868 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2014-10-15

There are now several neutron detection systems, such as proportional counters based on BF{sub 3}, He{sub 3} and Bonner sphere spectrometers. However, the cost and complexity of the implementation of such systems makes them inaccessible for dosimetry purposes in radiotherapy rooms (Rt) and other facilities with this type of radiation fields. For these reasons the use of a neutron detection system is proposed composed by a paraffin moderator media forming an array 4π (spheres) and several pairs of thermoluminescent dosimeters TLD 600/TLD 700 inside, in order to make useful measurements for radiation protection around high-energy lineal accelerators (Linacs). In the first part of this work the system response when irradiated with a source of Pu Be and their corresponding calibration factor is displayed. In the second part are presented the ambient dose equivalent (H(10)) due to neutrons at various points of a living of Rt with a Linac of 18 MV, which are in the order mSv/Gy by X-ray treatment. The measurements made are similar to those taken in the memories of the accelerator and in previous work for this type of facility. (Author)

Radiological safety around a Linac of 18 MV

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ceron R, P.; Rivera M, T.; Paredes G, L.; Azorin N, J.; Sanchez, A.; Vega C, H. R.

2014-10-01

There are now several neutron detection systems, such as proportional counters based on BF 3 , He 3 and Bonner sphere spectrometers. However, the cost and complexity of the implementation of such systems makes them inaccessible for dosimetry purposes in radiotherapy rooms (Rt) and other facilities with this type of radiation fields. For these reasons the use of a neutron detection system is proposed composed by a paraffin moderator media forming an array 4π (spheres) and several pairs of thermoluminescent dosimeters TLD 600/TLD 700 inside, in order to make useful measurements for radiation protection around high-energy lineal accelerators (Linacs). In the first part of this work the system response when irradiated with a source of Pu Be and their corresponding calibration factor is displayed. In the second part are presented the ambient dose equivalent (H(10)) due to neutrons at various points of a living of Rt with a Linac of 18 MV, which are in the order mSv/Gy by X-ray treatment. The measurements made are similar to those taken in the memories of the accelerator and in previous work for this type of facility. (Author)

Neutron scattering. Experiment manuals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brueckel, Thomas; Heger, Gernot; Richter, Dieter; Roth, Georg; Zorn, Reiner

2012-01-01

The following topics are dealt with: The thermal triple-axis spectrometer PUMA, the high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI, the hot single-crystal diffractometer HEiDi for structure analysis with neutrons, the backscattering spectrometer SPHERES, the neutron polarization analyzer DNS, the neutron spin-echo spectrometer J-NSE, the small-angle neutron diffractometers KWS-1/-2, the very-small-angle neutron diffractometer with focusing mirror KWS-3, the resonance spin-echo spectrometer RESEDA, the reflectometer TREFF, the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFTOF. (HSI)

Structure of colloidal sphere-plate mixtures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Doshi, N; Cinacchi, G; Van Duijneveldt, J S; Cosgrove, T; Prescott, S W; Grillo, I; Phipps, J; Gittins, D I

2011-01-01

In addition to containing spherical pigment particles, coatings usually contain plate-like clay particles. It is thought that these improve the opacity of the paint film by providing an efficient spacing of the pigment particles. This observation is counterintuitive, as suspensions of particles of different shapes and sizes tend to phase separate on increase of concentration. In order to clarify this matter a model colloidal system is studied here, with a sphere-plate diameter ratio similar to that found in paints. For dilute suspensions, small angle neutron scattering revealed that the addition of plates leads to enhanced density fluctuations of the spheres, in agreement with new theoretical predictions. On increasing the total colloid concentration the plates and spheres phase separate due to the disparity in their shape. This is in agreement with previous theoretical and experimental work on colloidal sphere-plate mixtures, where one particle acts as a depleting agent. The fact that no large scale phase separation is observed in coatings is ascribed to dynamic arrest in intimately mixed, or possibly micro-phase separated structures, at elevated concentration.

Structure of colloidal sphere-plate mixtures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Doshi, N; Cinacchi, G; Van Duijneveldt, J S; Cosgrove, T; Prescott, S W [School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS (United Kingdom); Grillo, I [Institut Laue-Langevin, 6 rue Jules Horowitz BP 156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Phipps, J [Imerys Minerals Ltd, Par Moor Centre, Par Moor Road, Par, Cornwall PL24 2SQ (United Kingdom); Gittins, D I, E-mail: Giorgio.Cinacchi@bristol.ac.uk, E-mail: J.S.van-Duijneveldt@bristol.ac.uk [Imerys Performance and Filtration Minerals Ltd, 130 Castilian Drive, Goleta, CA 93117 (United States)

2011-05-18

In addition to containing spherical pigment particles, coatings usually contain plate-like clay particles. It is thought that these improve the opacity of the paint film by providing an efficient spacing of the pigment particles. This observation is counterintuitive, as suspensions of particles of different shapes and sizes tend to phase separate on increase of concentration. In order to clarify this matter a model colloidal system is studied here, with a sphere-plate diameter ratio similar to that found in paints. For dilute suspensions, small angle neutron scattering revealed that the addition of plates leads to enhanced density fluctuations of the spheres, in agreement with new theoretical predictions. On increasing the total colloid concentration the plates and spheres phase separate due to the disparity in their shape. This is in agreement with previous theoretical and experimental work on colloidal sphere-plate mixtures, where one particle acts as a depleting agent. The fact that no large scale phase separation is observed in coatings is ascribed to dynamic arrest in intimately mixed, or possibly micro-phase separated structures, at elevated concentration.

Software tool for resolution of inverse problems using artificial intelligence techniques: an application in neutron spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Castaneda M, V. H.; Martinez B, M. R.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Leon P, A. A.; Hernandez P, C. F.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.; Mendez, R.; Gallego, E.; Sousa L, M. A.

2016-10-01

The Taguchi methodology has proved to be highly efficient to solve inverse problems, in which the values of some parameters of the model must be obtained from the observed data. There are intrinsic mathematical characteristics that make a problem known as inverse. Inverse problems appear in many branches of science, engineering and mathematics. To solve this type of problem, researches have used different techniques. Recently, the use of techniques based on Artificial Intelligence technology is being explored by researches. This paper presents the use of a software tool based on artificial neural networks of generalized regression in the solution of inverse problems with application in high energy physics, specifically in the solution of the problem of neutron spectrometry. To solve this problem we use a software tool developed in the Mat Lab programming environment, which employs a friendly user interface, intuitive and easy to use for the user. This computational tool solves the inverse problem involved in the reconstruction of the neutron spectrum based on measurements made with a Bonner spheres spectrometric system. Introducing this information, the neural network is able to reconstruct the neutron spectrum with high performance and generalization capability. The tool allows that the end user does not require great training or technical knowledge in development and/or use of software, so it facilitates the use of the program for the resolution of inverse problems that are in several areas of knowledge. The techniques of Artificial Intelligence present singular veracity to solve inverse problems, given the characteristics of artificial neural networks and their network topology, therefore, the tool developed has been very useful, since the results generated by the Artificial Neural Network require few time in comparison to other techniques and are correct results comparing them with the actual data of the experiment. (Author)

On analogy between the magnetic field of pulsars and that of magnetized superconducting sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mkrtchyan, G.S.; Sedraksyan, D.M.

1984-01-01

The field is calculated, which is induced by a superconducting sphere homogeneously magnetized over the volume. It is assumed that such a field is generated within a neutron star due to an entrainment of superfluid protons by neutrons

Neutron scattering. Experiment manuals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brueckel, Thomas; Heger, Gernot; Richter, Dieter; Roth, Georg; Zorn, Reiner

2014-01-01

The following topics are dealt with: The thermal triple-axis spectrometer PUMA, the high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI, the hot-single-crystal diffractometer HEiDi, the three-axis spectrometer PANDA, the backscattering spectrometer SPHERES, the DNS neutron-polarization analysis, the neutron spin-echo spectrometer J-NSE, small-angle neutron scattering at KWS-1 and KWS-2, a very-small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer with focusing mirror, the reflectometer TREFF, the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFTOF. (HSI)

Neutron scattering. Experiment manuals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brueckel, Thomas; Heger, Gernot; Richter, Dieter; Roth, Georg; Zorn, Reiner (eds.)

2010-07-01

The following topics are dealt with: The thermal triple axis spectrometer PUMA, the high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI, the hot single-crystal diffractometer HEiDi for structure analysis with neutrons, the backscattering spectrometer SPHERES, neutron polarization analysis with tht time-of-flight spectrometer DNS, the neutron spin-echo spectrometer J-NSE, small-angle neutron scattering with the KWS-1 and KWS-2 diffractometers, the very-small-angle neutron scattering diffractrometer with focusing mirror KWS-3, the resonance spin-echo spectrometer RESEDA, the reflectometer TREFF, the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFTOF. (HSI)

Neutron scattering. Experiment manuals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brueckel, Thomas; Heger, Gernot; Richter, Dieter; Roth, Georg; Zorn, Reiner

2010-01-01

The following topics are dealt with: The thermal triple axis spectrometer PUMA, the high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI, the hot single-crystal diffractometer HEiDi for structure analysis with neutrons, the backscattering spectrometer SPHERES, neutron polarization analysis with tht time-of-flight spectrometer DNS, the neutron spin-echo spectrometer J-NSE, small-angle neutron scattering with the KWS-1 and KWS-2 diffractometers, the very-small-angle neutron scattering diffractrometer with focusing mirror KWS-3, the resonance spin-echo spectrometer RESEDA, the reflectometer TREFF, the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFTOF. (HSI)

Criticality of a 237Np sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanchez, Rene G.; Loaiza, David J.; Kimpland, Robert H.; Hayes, David K.; Cappiello, Charlene C.; Myers, William L.; Jaegers, Peter J.; Clement, Steven D.; Butterfield, Kenneth B.

2003-01-01

A critical mass experiment using a 6-kg 237 Np sphere has been performed. The purpose of the experiment is to get a better estimate of the critical mass of 237 Np. To attain criticality, the 237 Np sphere was surrounded with 93 wt% 235 U shells. A 1/M as a function of uranium mass was performed. An MCNP neutron transport code was used to model the experiment. The MCNP code yielded a k eff of 0.99089 ± 0.0003 compared with a k eff 1.0026 for the experiment. Based on these results, it is estimated that the critical mass of 237 Np ranges from kilogram weights in the high fifties to low sixties. (author)

Neutron dose measurements with the GSI ball at high energy accelerators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fehrenbacher, G.; Gutermuth, F.; Radon, T.; Kozlova, E.

2005-01-01

Full text: At high energy particle accelerators the production of neutron radiation dominates radiation protection. For the radiation survey at accelerators there is a need for reliable detection systems (passive radiation monitors), which can measure the dose for a wide range of neutron energies independently on the beam pulse structure of the produced radiation. In this work a passive neutron dosemeter for the measurement of the ambient dose equivalent is presented. The dosemeter is suitable for measurements of the emerging neutron radiation at accelerators for the whole energy range up to about 10 GeV. The dosemeter consists of a polyethylene sphere, TL elements (pairs of TLD600/700) and an additional lead layer (PE/Pb) in neutron fields at high energy accelerators is investigated in this work. Results of dose measurements which were performed in realistic neutron fields at the high energy accelerator SPS at CERN (CERF facility) and in Cave A at the heavy ion synchrotron SIS at GSI are presented. The results of these measurements are compared with the expected dose values from the neutron spectra determined for the measurement positions at CERF and in Cave A (FLUKA) and with the dosemeter response derived by the calculated response functions (FLUKA) folded with the neutron spectra. The comparisons show that the additional lead layer in the PE/Pb-sphere improves significantly the response of the dosemeter. The response of the PE/Pb-sphere is 40 to 50 % higher at CERF and Cave A in comparison to the bare PE-sphere. At CERF the dose values of the PE/Pb-sphere is about 25 % lower than the expected dose value, whilst for Cave A, a rather good agreement was found (2 % deviation). (author)

Neutron leakage from Pb and Bc spherical shells with 14 MeV central neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Antonov, S.; Daskalov, G.; Ilieva, K.; Jordanova, J.; Prodanova, R.; Zagryadskij, V.A.; Novikov, V.M.; Chuvilin, D.Yu.

1988-01-01

Results of measuring neutron leakage from spherical shells of different thickness, made of Pb and Be with a point neutron source in the sphere centrum are presented. The experiment results are compared to calculations according to different programs using data of various nuclear data libraies. The comparison has shown that all the calculations understate the neutron leakage from Pb assmebly. 9 refs.; 2 tabs

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry by means of evolutive neural networks; Espectrometria y dosimetria de neutrones por medio de redes neuronales evolutivas

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ortiz R, J.M.; Martinez B, M.R.; Vega C, H.R. [UAZ, Av. Ramon Lopez Velarde Num. 801, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico)

2008-07-01

The artificial neural networks and the genetic algorithms are two relatively new areas of research, which have been subject to a growing interest during the last years. Both models are inspired by the nature, however, the neural networks are interested in the learning of a single individual, which is defined as fenotypic learning, while the evolutionary algorithms are interested in the adaptation of a population to a changing environment, that which is defined as genotypic learning. Recently, the use of the technology of neural networks has been applied with success in the area of the nuclear sciences, mainly in the areas of neutron spectrometry and dosimetry. The structure (network topology), as well as the learning parameters of a neural network, are factors that contribute in a significant way with the acting of the same one, however, it has been observed that the investigators in this area, carry out the selection of the network parameters through the essay and error technique, that which produces neural networks of poor performance and low generalization capacity. From the revised sources, it has been observed that the use of the evolutionary algorithms, seen as search techniques, it has allowed him to be possible to evolve and to optimize different properties of the neural networks, just as the initialization of the synaptic weights, the network architecture or the training algorithms without the human intervention. The objective of the present work is focused in analyzing the intersection of the neural networks and the evolutionary algorithms, analyzing like it is that the same ones can be used to help in the design processes and training of a neural network, this is, in the good selection of the structural parameters and of network learning, improving its generalization capacity, in such way that the same one is able to reconstruct in an efficient way neutron spectra and to calculate equivalent doses starting from the counting rates of a Bonner sphere

Geant4 simulation of the CERN-EU high-energy reference field (CERF) facility.

Science.gov (United States)

Prokopovich, D A; Reinhard, M I; Cornelius, I M; Rosenfeld, A B

2010-09-01

The CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility is used for testing and calibrating both active and passive radiation dosemeters for radiation protection applications in space and aviation. Through a combination of a primary particle beam, target and a suitable designed shielding configuration, the facility is able to reproduce the neutron component of the high altitude radiation field relevant to the jet aviation industry. Simulations of the facility using the GEANT4 (GEometry ANd Tracking) toolkit provide an improved understanding of the neutron particle fluence as well as the particle fluence of other radiation components present. The secondary particle fluence as a function of the primary particle fluence incident on the target and the associated dose equivalent rates were determined at the 20 designated irradiation positions available at the facility. Comparisons of the simulated results with previously published simulations obtained using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, as well as with experimental results of the neutron fluence obtained with a Bonner sphere spectrometer, are made.

Using anisotropies in prompt fission neutron coincidences to assess the neutron multiplication of highly multiplying subcritical plutonium assemblies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mueller, J.M., E-mail: jonathan_mueller@ncsu.edu; Mattingly, J.

2016-07-21

There is a significant and well-known anisotropy between the prompt neutrons emitted from a single fission event; these neutrons are most likely to be observed at angles near 0° or 180° relative to each other. However, the propagation of this anisotropy through different generations of a fission chain reaction has not been previously studied. We have measured this anisotropy in neutron–neutron coincidences from a subcritical highly-multiplying assembly of plutonium metal. The assembly was a 4.5 kg α-phase plutonium metal sphere composed of 94% {sup 239}Pu and 6% {sup 240}Pu by mass. Data were collected using two EJ-309 liquid scintillators and two EJ-299 plastic scintillators. The angular distribution of neutron–neutron coincidences was measured at 90° and 180° and found to be largely isotropic. Simulations were performed using MCNPX-PoliMi of similar plutonium metal spheres of varying sizes and a correlation between the neutron multiplication of the assembly and the anisotropy of neutron–neutron coincidences was observed. In principle, this correlation could be used to assess the neutron multiplication of an unknown assembly.

Critical Dimensions of Water-tamped Slabs and Spheres of Active Material

Science.gov (United States)

Greuling, E.; Argo, H.: Chew, G.; Frankel, M. E.; Konopinski, E.J.; Marvin, C.; Teller, E.

1946-08-06

The magnitude and distribution of the fission rate per unit area produced by three energy groups of moderated neutrons reflected from a water tamper into one side of an infinite slab of active material is calculated approximately in section II. This rate is directly proportional to the current density of fast neutrons from the active material incident on the water tamper. The critical slab thickness is obtained in section III by solving an inhomogeneous transport integral equation for the fast-neutron current density into the tamper. Extensive use is made of the formulae derived in "The Mathematical Development of the End-Point Method" by Frankel and Goldberg. In section IV slight alterations in the theory outlined in sections II and III were made so that one could approximately compute the critical radius of a water-tamper sphere of active material. The derived formulae were applied to calculate the critical dimensions of water-tamped slabs and spheres of solid UF{sub 6} leaving various (25) isotope enrichment fractions. Decl. Dec. 16, 1955.

Experiments on iron shield transmission of quasi-monoenergetic neutrons generated by 43- and 68-MeV protons via the 7Li(p,n) reaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakashima, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Shun-ichi; Nakao, Noriaki

1996-03-01

In order to provide benchmark data of neutrons transmitted through iron shields in the intermediate-energy region, spatial distributions of neutron energy spectra and reaction rates behind and inside the iron shields of thickness up to 130 cm were measured for 43- and 68-MeVp- 7 Li neutrons using a quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam source at the 90-MV AVF cyclotron facility of the TLARA facility in JAERI. The measured data by five kinds of detectors: the BC501A detector, the Bonner ball counter, 238 U and 232 Th fission counters, 7 LiF and nat LiF TLDs and solid state nuclear track detector, are numerically provided in this report in the energy region between 10 -4 eV and the energy of peak neutrons generated by the 7 Li(p,n) reaction. (author)

Secondary standard neutron detector for measuring total reaction cross sections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sekharan, K.K.; Laumer, H.; Gabbard, F.

1975-01-01

A neutron detector has been constructed and calibrated for the accurate measurement of total neutron-production cross sections. The detector consists of a polyethylene sphere of 24'' diameter in which 8- 10 BF 3 counters have been installed radially. The relative efficiency of this detector has been determined for average neutron energies, from 30 keV to 1.5 MeV by counting neutrons from 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be. By adjusting the radial positions of the BF 3 counters in the polyethylene sphere the efficiency for neutron detection was made nearly constant for this energy range. Measurement of absolute efficiency for the same neutron energy range has been done by counting the neutrons from 51 V(p,n) 51 Cr and 57 Fe(p,n) 57 Co reactions and determining the absolute number of residual nuclei produced during the measurement of neutron yield. Details of absolute efficiency measurements and the use of the detector for measurement of total neutron yields from neutron producing reactions such as 23 Na(p,n) 23 Mg are given

Method to determine the strength of a neutron source

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vega C, H.R.; Manzanares A, E.; Hernandez D, V.M.; Chacon R, A.; Mercado, G.A. [UAZ, A.P. 336, 98000 Zacatecas (Mexico); Gallego, E.; Lorente, A. [Depto. Ingenieria Nuclear, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, (Spain)

2006-07-01

The use of a gamma-ray spectrometer with a 3 {phi} x 3 NaI(Tl) detector, with a moderator sphere has been studied in the aim to measure the neutron fluence rate and to determine the source strength. Moderators with a large amount of hydrogen are able to slowdown and thermalize neutrons; once thermalized there is a probability that thermal neutron to be captured by hydrogen producing 2.22 MeV prompt gamma-ray. The pulse-height spectrum collected in a multicharmel analyzer shows a photopeak around 2.22 MeV whose net area is proportional to total neutron fluence rate and to the neutron source strength. The characteristics of this system were determined by a Monte Carlo study using the MCNP 4C code, where a detailed model of the Nal(Tl) was utilized. As moderators 3, 5, and 10 inches-diameter spheres where utilized and the response was calculated for monoenergetic and isotopic neutrons sources. (Author)

Quasiparticle Interactions in Neutron Matter for Applications in Neutron Stars

Science.gov (United States)

Wambach, J.; Anisworth, T. L.; Pines, D.

1993-01-01

A microscopic model for the quaisiparticle interaction in neutron matter is presented. Both particle-particle (pp) and particle-hole (ph) correlation are are included. The pp correlations are treated in semi-empirical way, while ph correlations are incorporated by solving coupled two-body equations for the particle hole interaction and the scattering amplitude on the Fermi sphere. The resulting integral equations self-consistently sum the ph reducible diagrams. Antisymmetry is kept at all stages and hence the forward-scattering sum rules are obeyed. Results for Landau parameters and transport coefficients in a density regime representing the crust of a neutron star are presented. We also estimate the S-1 gap parameter for neutron superfluidity and comment briefly on neutron-star implications.

Neutron spectrometry and dosimetry by means of evolutive neural networks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ortiz R, J.M.; Martinez B, M.R.; Vega C, H.R.

2008-01-01

The artificial neural networks and the genetic algorithms are two relatively new areas of research, which have been subject to a growing interest during the last years. Both models are inspired by the nature, however, the neural networks are interested in the learning of a single individual, which is defined as fenotypic learning, while the evolutionary algorithms are interested in the adaptation of a population to a changing environment, that which is defined as genotypic learning. Recently, the use of the technology of neural networks has been applied with success in the area of the nuclear sciences, mainly in the areas of neutron spectrometry and dosimetry. The structure (network topology), as well as the learning parameters of a neural network, are factors that contribute in a significant way with the acting of the same one, however, it has been observed that the investigators in this area, carry out the selection of the network parameters through the essay and error technique, that which produces neural networks of poor performance and low generalization capacity. From the revised sources, it has been observed that the use of the evolutionary algorithms, seen as search techniques, it has allowed him to be possible to evolve and to optimize different properties of the neural networks, just as the initialization of the synaptic weights, the network architecture or the training algorithms without the human intervention. The objective of the present work is focused in analyzing the intersection of the neural networks and the evolutionary algorithms, analyzing like it is that the same ones can be used to help in the design processes and training of a neural network, this is, in the good selection of the structural parameters and of network learning, improving its generalization capacity, in such way that the same one is able to reconstruct in an efficient way neutron spectra and to calculate equivalent doses starting from the counting rates of a Bonner sphere

Neutron quality parameters versus energy below 4 MeV from microdosimetric calculations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stinchcomb, T.G.; Borak, T.B.

1983-01-01

Charged-particle production by neutrons and the resulting energy-deposition spectra in micron-sized spheres of tissue of varying diameters were calculated from thermal energies to 4 MeV. These data were used to obtain dose-average values of several quality-indicating parameters as functions of neutron energy and of tissue sphere diameter. The contrast among the parameters is shown and discussed. Applications are made to two neutron spectra, one a fission spectrum in air and the other a moderated spectrum at the center of an irradiated cube of water

Experiments on iron shield transmission of quasi-monoenergetic neutrons generated by 43- and 68-MeV protons via the {sup 7}Li(p,n) reaction

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nakashima, Hiroshi [Japan Atomic Energy Research Inst., Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Tokai Research Establishment; Tanaka, Shun-ichi; Nakao, Noriaki [and others

1996-03-01

In order to provide benchmark data of neutrons transmitted through iron shields in the intermediate-energy region, spatial distributions of neutron energy spectra and reaction rates behind and inside the iron shields of thickness up to 130 cm were measured for 43- and 68-MeVp-{sup 7}Li neutrons using a quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam source at the 90-MV AVF cyclotron facility of the TLARA facility in JAERI. The measured data by five kinds of detectors: the BC501A detector, the Bonner ball counter, {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th fission counters, {sup 7}LiF and {sup nat}LiF TLDs and solid state nuclear track detector, are numerically provided in this report in the energy region between 10{sup -4} eV and the energy of peak neutrons generated by the {sup 7}Li(p,n) reaction. (author).

Subcritical Neutron Multiplication Measurements of HEU Using Delayed Neutrons as the Driving Source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hollas, C.L.; Goulding, C.A.; Myers, W.L.

1999-01-01

A new method for the determination of the multiplication of highly enriched uranium systems is presented. The method uses delayed neutrons to drive the HEU system. These delayed neutrons are from fission events induced by a pulsed 14-MeV neutron source. Between pulses, neutrons are detected within a medium efficiency neutron detector using 3 He ionization tubes within polyethylene enclosures. The neutron detection times are recorded relative to the initiation of the 14-MeV neutron pulse, and subsequently analyzed with the Feynman reduced variance method to extract singles, doubles and triples neutron counting rates. Measurements have been made on a set of nested hollow spheres of 93% enriched uranium, with mass values from 3.86 kg to 21.48 kg. The singles, doubles and triples counting rates for each uranium system are compared to calculations from point kinetics models of neutron multiplicity to assign multiplication values. These multiplication values are compared to those from MC NP K-Code calculations

Evaluation and benchmarking of nuclear data of vanadium in integral experiments with 14-MeV neutrons

CERN Document Server

Blokhin, A I; Chuvilin, D; Livke, A V; Manokhin, V N; Markovskij, D; Nagorny, V; Nefedov, Yu A; Orlov, R; Savin, M; Semenov, V; Shmarov, A; Shvetsov, A M; Zagryadsky, V; Zhitnik, A

2001-01-01

The measurements of the gamma-ray and neutron leakage spectra from three vanadium spheres with diameter 10, 24 and 34 cm at their internal irradiation by 14-MeV neutrons were carried out in frame of the ISTC Project no. 910 in collaboration with FZK. All the spheres have the same geometry of the central hole of 3 cm in diameter. The neutron leakage spectra were measured by a scintillation detector, and by a gas proportional counter. The gamma-ray leakage spectra were measured with help of a crystal NaI(Tl). Analysis of these experiments is performed with the new evaluated nuclear data files prepared in frame of the project activities. A comparison of experimental and calculated neutron and gamma-ray leakage spectra from three vanadium spheres is given.

The sphere-PAC fuel code 'SPHERE-3'

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wallin, H.

2000-01-01

Sphere-PAC fuel is an advanced nuclear fuel, in which the cladding tube is filled with small fuel spheres instead of the more usual fuel pellets. At PSI, the irradiation behaviour of sphere-PAC fuel is calculated using the computer code SPHERE-3. The paper describes the present status of the SPHERE-3 code, and some results of the qualification process against experimental data. (author)

The sphere-pac fuel code 'SPHERE-3'

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wallin, H.; Nordstroem, L.A.; Hellwig, C.

2001-01-01

Sphere-pac fuel is an advanced nuclear fuel, in which the cladding tube is filled with small fuel spheres instead of the more usual fuel pellets. At PSI, the irradiation behaviour of sphere-pac fuel is calculated using the computer code SPHERE-3. The paper describes the present status of the SPHERE-3 code, and some results of the qualification process against experimental data. (author)

Geometric optimization of a neutron detector based on a lithium glass–polymer composite

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mayer, M., E-mail: mike.f.mayer@gmail.com [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 (United States); Nattress, J. [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 (United States); Trivelpiece, C. [Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 (United States); Jovanovic, I. [Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 (United States)

2015-06-01

We report on the simulation and optimization of a neutron detector based on a glass–polymer composite that achieves high gamma rejection. Lithium glass is embedded in polyvinyltoluene in three geometric forms: disks, rods, and spheres. Optimal shape, geometric configuration, and size of the lithium glass fragments are determined using Geant4 simulations. All geometrical configurations maintain an approximate 7% glass to polymer mass ratio. Results indicate a 125-mm diameter as the optimal detector size for initial prototype design achieving a 10% efficiency for the thermalization of incident fission neutrons from {sup 252}Cf. The geometrical features of a composite detector are shown to have little effect on the intrinsic neutron efficiency, but a significant effect on the gamma rejection is observed. The sphere geometry showed the best overall performance with an intrinsic neutron efficiency of approximately 6% with a gamma rejection better than 10{sup −7} for 280-μm diameter spheres. These promising results provide a motivation for prototype composite detector development based on the simulated designs. - Highlights: • Composite polymer–lithium glass scintillation detector is simulated. • Polymer is considered to be non-scintillating in the simulation. • Three forms of lithium glass are considered: disks, rods, and spheres. • Glass shape has a small effect on neutron efficiency. • Glass shape has a significant effect on gamma rejection.

Measurement of tritium production in 6LiD irradiated with neutrons from a critical system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Duan Shaojie

1998-03-01

The tritium production rate and its distribution, in a 6 LiD semisphere on a critical assembly neutron source are measured with a 6 Li sandwich gold-silicon surface barrier detector. Then tritium production rate and the average tritium production length of the neutrons in the whole 6 LiD sphere are derived from approximate sphere symmetry

Survey of neutrons inside the containment of a pressurized water reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hankins, D.E; Griffith, R.V.

1978-01-01

A neutron survey was made inside the containment of the Farley Nuclear Plant, Alabama Power and Light Company, Dothan, Alabama, in November 1977. The survey was made to determine the spectra of leakage neutrons and to evaluate the accuracy of albedo neutron dosimeters and a 9-in.-diameter sphere rem meter. The survey also covered variations in the neutron spectra, the ratio of gamma-to-neutron dose rates, and the thermal neutron component of the neutron dose

Commissioning of a proton-recoil spectrometer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nunes, J.C.; Faught, R.T.

2000-01-01

Measurements of neutron fluence spectra in fields from bare and heavy-water-moderated 252 Cf were made with a commercially available proton-recoil spectrometer (PRS) that covers 50 keV to 4.5 MeV. Data obtained from these measurements were compared with data from Bonner sphere spectrometry, Monte Carlo simulation and the open literature. Alterations to the input data file used in unfolding recoil-proton pulse-height distributions were made. Understanding the reasons for these changes and considering the effects of some of the results in an appreciation of the significance of parameters used in the unfolding. An uncertainty of 10% is estimated for values of fluence and ambient dose equivalent for the energy region covered by this PRS. (author)

Unfolding neutron spectrum with Markov Chain Monte Carlo at MIT research Reactor with He-3 Neutral Current Detectors

Science.gov (United States)

Leder, A.; Anderson, A. J.; Billard, J.; Figueroa-Feliciano, E.; Formaggio, J. A.; Hasselkus, C.; Newman, E.; Palladino, K.; Phuthi, M.; Winslow, L.; Zhang, L.

2018-02-01

The Ricochet experiment seeks to measure Coherent (neutral-current) Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEνNS) using dark-matter-style detectors with sub-keV thresholds placed near a neutrino source, such as the MIT (research) Reactor (MITR), which operates at 5.5 MW generating approximately 2.2 × 1018 ν/second in its core. Currently, Ricochet is characterizing the backgrounds at MITR, the main component of which comes in the form of neutrons emitted from the core simultaneous with the neutrino signal. To characterize this background, we wrapped Bonner cylinders around a 32He thermal neutron detector, whose data was then unfolded via a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to produce a neutron energy spectrum across several orders of magnitude. We discuss the resulting spectrum and its implications for deploying Ricochet at the MITR site as well as the feasibility of reducing this background level via the addition of polyethylene shielding around the detector setup.

Further Investigations of NIST Water Sphere Discrepancies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Broadhead, B.L.

2001-01-01

Measurements have been performed on a family of water spheres at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) facilities. These measurements are important for criticality safety studies in that, frequently, difficulties have arisen in predicting the reactivity of individually subcritical components assembled in a critical array. It has been postulated that errors in the neutron leakage from individual elements in the array could be responsible for these problems. In these NIST measurements, an accurate determination of the leakage from a fission spectrum, modified by water scattering, is available. Previously, results for 3-, 4-, and 5-in. diam. water-filled spheres, both with and without cadmium covers over the fission chambers, were presented for four fissionable materials: 235 U, 238 U, 237 Np, and 239 Pu. Results were also given for ''dry'' systems, in which the water spheres were drained of water, with the results corresponding to essentially measurements of unmoderated 252 Cf spontaneous-fission neutrons. The calculated-to-experimental (C/E) values ranged from 0.94 to 1.01 for the dry systems and 0.93 to 1.05 for the wet systems, with experimental uncertainties ranging from 1.5 to 1.9%. These results indicated discrepancies that were clearly outside of the experimental uncertainties, and further investigation was suggested. This work updates the previous calculations with a comparison of the predicted C/E values with ENDF/B-V and ENDF/B-VI transport cross sections. Variations in the predicted C/E values that arise from the use of ENDF/B-V, ENDF/B-VI, ENDL92, and LLLDOS for the response fission cross sections are also tabulated. The use of both a 45-group NIST fission spectrum and a continuous-energy fission spectrum for 252 Cf are evaluated. The use of the generalized-linear-least-squares (GLLSM) procedures to investigate the reported discrepancies in the water sphere results for 235 U, 238 U, 239 Pu, and 237 Np is reported herein. These studies

Genetic algorithms used to optimize an artificial neural network design used in neutron spectrometry; Algoritmos geneticos utilizados para optimizar un diseno de red neuronal artificial usado en espectrometria de neutrones

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arteaga A, T.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R., E-mail: tarcicio70@yahoo.co.uk [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Av. Lopez Velarde 117, 98600 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico)

2016-10-15

Artificial neural networks (Ann) are widely used; it which consist of an input layer, one or more hidden layers and an output layer; these layers contain neurons and each has connections called weights, where the knowledge are allowed and let to Ann solve problems proposed. These Ann is used to reconstruction of the energy spectrum of neutrons from count rates and develop Bonner sphere neutron dosimetry. Currently, we have developed Ann with high performance and generalization ability. Determine your optimal architecture is usually a difficult task, an exhaustive search of all possible combinations of parameters is rarely possible further training of the neural network with random initial weights can cause two major drawbacks: it can stuck in local minima or converge very slowly. In this project it will be used Genetic Algorithms (Ga); which are based on the principle or analogy of evolution through natural selection and has shown to be very effective in optimizing complex search functions and large spaces or to find a near optimal overall efficiency. The aim is to decrease the architecture in number of hidden neurons and therefore the total number of connections is reducing. The benefits obtained by optimizing the network are that the number of connections would be considerably smaller and thus the computational complexity, hardware integration, resources will be lower such that will allow to be even more viable implemented. To use the Ga three problems must be solve: 1) coding the problem into chromosomes. 2) Construct a fitness function. 3) Proper selection of genetic operators; crossover, selection, mutation. As a result, the scientific knowledge obtained can to be applied to similar problems having a reference parameters used and their impact on the optimization would to be generated. It concluded that the input layer and output are subject to the problem; the Ga propose the optimal number of neurons in the hidden layer without losing the quality of the

FLUKA simulations of a moderated reduced weight high energy neutron detection system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biju, K., E-mail: bijusivolli@gmail.com [Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India); Tripathy, S.P.; Sunil, C.; Sarkar, P.K. [Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India)

2012-08-01

Neutron response of the systems containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) spheres coupled with different external metallic converters has been studied using the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation code. A diameter of 17.8 cm (7 in.) of the moderating sphere is found to be optimum to obtain the maximum response when used with the neutron converter shells like W, Pb and Zr. Enhancement ratios of the neutron response due to the induced (n, xn) reactions in the outer converters made of W, Pb and Zr are analyzed. It is observed that the enhancement in the response by 1 cm thick Zr shell is comparable to that of 1 cm thick Pb in the energy region of 10-50 MeV. An appreciable enhancement is observed in the case of Zr converter for the higher energy neutrons. Thus, by reducing the dimension of the moderating sphere and using a Zr converter shell, the weight of the system reduces to 10 kg which is less compared to the presently available extended high energy neutron rem meters. The normalized energy dependent ambient dose equivalent response of the zirconium based rem counter (ZReC) at high energies is found to be in good agreement with the energy differential H{sup Low-Asterisk }(10) values suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Based on this study, it is proposed that a rem meter made of 17.8 cm diameter HDPE sphere with 1 cm thick Zr can be used effectively and conveniently for routine monitoring in the accelerator environment.

Construction of the Cauchy problem for solution of the integral equation of transport in a sphere with a central absorbing region

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ezhov, A.A.

1978-01-01

On the basis of the integral equation for neutron transport in a homogeneous isotropically-scattering sphere with an absolutely black central part an initial value problem has been formulated which permits the construction of a numerical scheme to find the neutron flux density

STUDIES OF COSMIC-RAY MUONS AND NEUTRONS IN A FIVE-STORY CONCRETE BUILDING.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Wei-Lin; Sheu, Rong-Jiun

2018-05-01

This study thoroughly determined the flux and dose rate distributions of cosmic-ray muons and neutrons in a five-story concrete building by comparing measurements with Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic-ray showers. An angular-energy-dependent surface source comprising secondary muons and neutrons at a height of 200 m above ground level was established and verified, which was used to concatenate the shower development in the upper atmosphere with subsequent simulations of radiation transport down to ground level, including the effect of the terrain and studied building. A Berkeley Lab cosmic-ray detector and a highly sensitive Bonner cylinder were used to perform muon and neutron measurements on each building floor. After careful calibration and correction, the measured responses of the two detectors were discovered to be reasonably consistent with the theoretical predictions, thus confirming the validity of the two-step calculation model employed in this study. The annual effective doses from cosmic-ray muons and neutrons on the open roof of the building were estimated to be 115.2 and 35.2 μSv, respectively. Muons and neutrons were attenuated floor-by-floor with different attenuation factors of 0.97 and 0.78, and their resultant dose rates on the first floor of the building were 97.8 and 9.9 μSv, respectively.

Neutron spectra produced by moderating an isotopic neutron source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carrillo Nunnez, Aureliano; Vega Carrillo, Hector Rene

2001-01-01

A Monte Carlo study has been carried out to determine the neutron spectra produced by an isotopic neutron source inserted in moderating media. Most devices used for radiation protection have a response strongly dependent on neutron energy. ISO recommends several neutron sources and monoenergetic neutron radiations, but actual working situations have broad spectral neutron distributions extending from thermal to MeV energies, for instance, near nuclear power plants, medical applications accelerators and cosmic neutrons. To improve the evaluation of the dosimetric quantities, is recommended to calibrate the radiation protection devices in neutron spectra which are nearly like those met in practice. In order to complete the range of neutron calibrating sources, it seems useful to develop several wide spectral distributions representative of typical spectra down to thermal energies. The aim of this investigation was to use an isotopic neutron source in different moderating media to reproduce some of the neutron fields found in practice. MCNP code has been used during calculations, in these a 239PuBe neutron source was inserted in H2O, D2O and polyethylene moderators. Moderators were modeled as spheres and cylinders of different sizes. In the case of cylindrical geometry the anisotropy of resulting neutron spectra was calculated from 0 to 2 . From neutron spectra dosimetric features were calculated. MCNP calculations were validated by measuring the neutron spectra of a 239PuBe neutron source inserted in a H2O cylindrical moderator. The measurements were carried out with a multisphere neutron spectrometer with a 6LiI(Eu) scintillator. From the measurements the neutron spectrum was unfolded using the BUNKIUT code and the UTA4 response matrix. Some of the moderators with the source produce a neutron spectrum close to spectra found in actual applications, then can be used during the calibration of radiation protection devices

Genetic algorithms used to optimize an artificial neural network design used in neutron spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arteaga A, T.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R.

2016-10-01

Artificial neural networks (Ann) are widely used; it which consist of an input layer, one or more hidden layers and an output layer; these layers contain neurons and each has connections called weights, where the knowledge are allowed and let to Ann solve problems proposed. These Ann is used to reconstruction of the energy spectrum of neutrons from count rates and develop Bonner sphere neutron dosimetry. Currently, we have developed Ann with high performance and generalization ability. Determine your optimal architecture is usually a difficult task, an exhaustive search of all possible combinations of parameters is rarely possible further training of the neural network with random initial weights can cause two major drawbacks: it can stuck in local minima or converge very slowly. In this project it will be used Genetic Algorithms (Ga); which are based on the principle or analogy of evolution through natural selection and has shown to be very effective in optimizing complex search functions and large spaces or to find a near optimal overall efficiency. The aim is to decrease the architecture in number of hidden neurons and therefore the total number of connections is reducing. The benefits obtained by optimizing the network are that the number of connections would be considerably smaller and thus the computational complexity, hardware integration, resources will be lower such that will allow to be even more viable implemented. To use the Ga three problems must be solve: 1) coding the problem into chromosomes. 2) Construct a fitness function. 3) Proper selection of genetic operators; crossover, selection, mutation. As a result, the scientific knowledge obtained can to be applied to similar problems having a reference parameters used and their impact on the optimization would to be generated. It concluded that the input layer and output are subject to the problem; the Ga propose the optimal number of neurons in the hidden layer without losing the quality of the

Measurements of neutron spectrum from uranium converter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ninkovic, M.; Sotic, O.; Marinkovic, S.

1978-01-01

The procedure for determination of energetic distribution of neutrons by the multisphere technique is given. The theoretical basis and features of the method are explained. The spectral distribution of neutrons emerging from the neutron converter constructed at the bare reactor assembly RB, has been determined applying the existing computer programme and literature data for the energetic dependence functions of spheres of various diameters. The obtained spectral distribution has a specific maximum in the domain of fast neutrons, justifying thus the reacton for the construction of the converter. The neutron spectrum data obtained and given in this report are very important for the use of the converter in neutron dosimetry and radiation protection, as well as in the radiobiology, shielding, reactor physics etc. (author)

The sphere-PAC fuel code 'SPHERE-3'

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wallin, H

2000-07-01

Sphere-PAC fuel is an advanced nuclear fuel, in which the cladding tube is filled with small fuel spheres instead of the more usual fuel pellets. At PSI, the irradiation behaviour of sphere-PAC fuel is calculated using the computer code SPHERE-3. The paper describes the present status of the SPHERE-3 code, and some results of the qualification process against experimental data. (author)

Neutron spectrum measurement inside containment vessel at Kori nuclear power plant unit 1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Han, J. M.; Kim, T. W.; Kim, K. D.; Youn, C. H. [Nuclear Environment Technology Institute, Taejon (Korea, Republic of)

2003-10-01

There would be a case for the radiation worker have to work inside of the containment vessel to inspect or repair reactor facilities. In this case, the information about distribution of neutron field is needed to estimate neutron exposure dose of worker. Neutron spectra were measured by BMS(Bonner Multisphere Spectrometer) at 4 points of 6 ft and 20 ft, 2 points of 44 ft, 5 points of 70 ft in containment vessel of Kori unit 1. From the calculation, the following results were obtained. Neutron fluxes of 6 ft were between 2.623 x 10{sup 2} and 2.746 x 10{sup 4} neutron/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}sec, average neutron energies were between 9.209 x 10{sup -6} and 3.377 x 10{sup -2} MeV, equivalent doses of neutron were between 0.025 and 2.675 mSv/hr. Neutron fluxes of 20 ft were between 1.771 x 10{sup 1} and 1.682 x 10{sup 3} neutron/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}sec, average neutron energies were between 6.084 x 10{sup -6} and 2.988 x 10{sup -1} MeV, equivalent doses of neutron were between 0.004 and 0.228 mSv/hr. Neutron fluxes of 44 ft were between 3.367 x 10{sup 2} and 3.483 x 10{sup 2} neutron / cm{sup 2}{center_dot}sec, average neutron energies were between 3.962 x 10{sup -2} and 7.360 x 10{sup -2} MeV, equivalent doses of neutron were between 0.069 and 0.089 mSv/hr. Neutron fluxes of 70 ft were between 4.553 x 10{sup 3} and 1.407 x 10{sup 4} neutron/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}sec, average neutron energies were between 3.668 x 10{sup -4} and 6.764 x 10{sup -2} MeV, equivalent doses of neutron were between 0.449 and 2.660 mSv/hr.

Hawking radiation and thermodynamics of a Vaidya-Bonner black hole

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Niu Zhenfeng; Liu Wenbiao

2010-01-01

Using Parikh's tunneling method, the Hawking radiation on the apparent horizon of a Vaidya-Bonner black hole is calculated. When the back-reaction of particles is neglected, the thermal spectrum can be precisely obtained. Then, the black hole thermodynamics can be calculated successfully on the apparent horizon. When a relativistic perturbation is applied to the apparent horizon, a similar calculation can also lead to a purely thermal spectrum. The first law of thermodynamics can also be derived successfully at the new supersurface near the apparent horizon. When the event horizon is thought of as a deviation from the apparent horizon, the expressions of the characteristic position and temperature are consistent with the previous viewpoint which asserts that the thermodynamics should be based on the event horizon. It is concluded that the thermodynamics should be constructed exactly on the apparent horizon while the event horizon thermodynamics is just one of the perturbations near the apparent horizon.

Neutron spectra measurement and calculations using data libraries CIELO, JEFF-3.2 and ENDF/B-VII.1 in iron benchmark assemblies

Science.gov (United States)

Jansky, Bohumil; Rejchrt, Jiri; Novak, Evzen; Losa, Evzen; Blokhin, Anatoly I.; Mitenkova, Elena

2017-09-01

The leakage neutron spectra measurements have been done on benchmark spherical assemblies - iron spheres with diameter of 20, 30, 50 and 100 cm. The Cf-252 neutron source was placed into the centre of iron sphere. The proton recoil method was used for neutron spectra measurement using spherical hydrogen proportional counters with diameter of 4 cm and with pressure of 400 and 1000 kPa. The neutron energy range of spectrometer is from 0.1 to 1.3 MeV. This energy interval represents about 85 % of all leakage neutrons from Fe sphere of diameter 50 cm and about of 74% for Fe sphere of diameter 100 cm. The adequate MCNP neutron spectra calculations based on data libraries CIELO, JEFF-3.2 and ENDF/B-VII.1 were done. Two calculations were done with CIELO library. The first one used data for all Fe-isotopes from CIELO and the second one (CIELO-56) used only Fe-56 data from CIELO and data for other Fe isotopes were from ENDF/B-VII.1. The energy structure used for calculations and measurements was 40 gpd (groups per decade) and 200 gpd. Structure 200 gpd represents lethargy step about of 1%. This relatively fine energy structure enables to analyze the Fe resonance neutron energy structure. The evaluated cross section data of Fe were validated on comparisons between the calculated and experimental spectra.

The Los Alamos Intense Neutron Source

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nebel, R.A.; Barnes, D.C.; Bollman, R.; Eden, G.; Morrison, L.; Pickrell, M.M.; Reass, W.

1997-01-01

The Intense Neutron Source (INS) is an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion device presently under construction at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It is designed to produce 10 11 neutrons per second steady-state using D-T fuel. Phase 1 operation of this device will be as a standard three grid IEC ion focus device. Expected performance has been predicted by scaling from a previous IEC device. Phase 2 operation of this device will utilize a new operating scheme, the Periodically Oscillating Plasma Sphere (POPS). This scheme is related to both the Spherical Reflect Diode and the Oscillating Penning Trap. With this type of operation the authors hope to improve plasma neutron production to about 10 13 neutrons/second

Low-power analogue processor for Bonner sphere spectrometers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ciobanu, M.I.; Alevra, A.V.

1998-01-01

The electronic system proposed is compact, small-size (the dimensions of the prototype are 107 x 105 x 58 mm) and battery-powered. The whole detection system is portable and independent of the mains supply and is well shielded against external disturbances. Technical details of the analog processor are given. (M.D.)

Evaluation of response matrix of a multisphere neutron spectrometer ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Abstract. Neutron energy responses of water sphere spectrometers (WSS) to 30 MeV have been calculated by means of Monte Carlo calculations, using the computer code MCNP4C with ENDF/. B-VI.0 neutron cross-section. The calculations have been performed for 3He detector (typical SP9) placed inside 2, 3, 5, 8, ...

Software tool for resolution of inverse problems using artificial intelligence techniques: an application in neutron spectrometry; Herramienta en software para resolucion de problemas inversos mediante tecnicas de inteligencia artificial: una aplicacion en espectrometria neutronica

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Castaneda M, V. H.; Martinez B, M. R.; Solis S, L. O.; Castaneda M, R.; Leon P, A. A.; Hernandez P, C. F.; Espinoza G, J. G.; Ortiz R, J. M.; Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, 98000 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico); Mendez, R. [CIEMAT, Departamento de Metrologia de Radiaciones Ionizantes, Laboratorio de Patrones Neutronicos, Av. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Gallego, E. [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, C. Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid (Spain); Sousa L, M. A. [Comision Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Centro de Investigacion de Tecnologia Nuclear, Av. Pte. Antonio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil)

2016-10-15

The Taguchi methodology has proved to be highly efficient to solve inverse problems, in which the values of some parameters of the model must be obtained from the observed data. There are intrinsic mathematical characteristics that make a problem known as inverse. Inverse problems appear in many branches of science, engineering and mathematics. To solve this type of problem, researches have used different techniques. Recently, the use of techniques based on Artificial Intelligence technology is being explored by researches. This paper presents the use of a software tool based on artificial neural networks of generalized regression in the solution of inverse problems with application in high energy physics, specifically in the solution of the problem of neutron spectrometry. To solve this problem we use a software tool developed in the Mat Lab programming environment, which employs a friendly user interface, intuitive and easy to use for the user. This computational tool solves the inverse problem involved in the reconstruction of the neutron spectrum based on measurements made with a Bonner spheres spectrometric system. Introducing this information, the neural network is able to reconstruct the neutron spectrum with high performance and generalization capability. The tool allows that the end user does not require great training or technical knowledge in development and/or use of software, so it facilitates the use of the program for the resolution of inverse problems that are in several areas of knowledge. The techniques of Artificial Intelligence present singular veracity to solve inverse problems, given the characteristics of artificial neural networks and their network topology, therefore, the tool developed has been very useful, since the results generated by the Artificial Neural Network require few time in comparison to other techniques and are correct results comparing them with the actual data of the experiment. (Author)

Experiment of neutron multiplication in lead

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jiang Wenmian; Chen Yuan; Liu Rong; Guo Haiping; Shen Jian

1994-01-01

The experiments of neutron multiplication in bulk lead have been performed with a total absorption detector (TAD). A hollow polyethylene sphere is used as neutron moderator and absorber of the TAD, which inner and outer diameters are 56 cm and 138 cm respectively. Slow neutron density in TAD is detected with a 6 Li glass scintillator. For Pb thicknesses of 5, 10, 15, 19.6 and 23.1 cm, the neutron multiplications are 1.301, 1.492, 1.599, 1.713 and 1.745 respectively. Overall experimental error is 2.7%. The calculational neutron multiplications with the 1-D ANISN code and ENDF/B-VI file are agreed with experimental ones within experimental error. Moreover, some factors of systematic error of TAD were investigated experimentally, but obvious factors have not been observed yet. (author)

Facility Management journal special feature on energy. Intelligent energy supply and air conditioning concept for the ''Bonner Bogen'' buildings; Facility Management-Special ''Energie''. Intelligentes Energie- und Klimakonzept fuer den ''Bonner Bogen''

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anon.

2009-11-15

In the ''Bonner Bogen'' construction project, the focus was on resources-saving technology and maximum user comfort, resulting in an integrated planning and implementation process. According to the investor, BonnVisio, the technical infrastructure and energy center of the building - based on groundwater geothermal energy with aquifer storage - is unique in Germany and Europe in terms of size, mode of operation, and efficiency. (orig.)

Neutron spectrometry in mixed fields: characterisation of the Ra-1- reactor workplace

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gregori, B.; Carelli, J.; Cruzate, J.; Papadopulos, S.

2006-01-01

The characterisation of the neutron spectrum of a workplace is an essential dosimetric tool for improving the assessment of the personal equivalent dose of the workers. In addition, if the operational conditions of the facility are well defined, the set of field spectra obtained may be used as a reference for comparing the performance of different type of neutron detectors. Recently, using a neutron spectrometric system based on a set of moderated spheres with 3 He detector, the characterisation of the neutron spectra in workplaces of the Argentine Reactor No. 1 (R.A. -1) has been carried out. The spectrometric system consists of 12 spheres made of the high density polyethylene d mean δ =0.95 g cm 3 , with diameters between 3'' and 12'' and a proportional counter of 3 He, 4 atm of nominal pressure, Centronic trade mark, located in the centre of the spheres. The neutron response matrix was calculated using the M.C.N.P. -I.V.B. code and E.N.D.F./B-VI library in the energy range between thermal neutron and 100 MeV. The neutron spectrum was unfolded using the M.A.X.E.D. unfolding code. The validation of the spectrometric system was performed at Cea-Cadarache (France) with of 252 Cf, Am Be, and 252 Cf + D 2 O sources. Therefore, in this work, the spectral fluence of the field in the selected points of the facility (R.A.-1) has been presented and the ambient dose equivalent, H *(10), and the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), have been derived from the neutron fluence, applying ICRP-74 recommended fluence to dose conversion factors. The quantities evaluated have uncertainties less than 15%, which is considered good enough for radiation protection requirements. (authors)

Neutron dosimetry at nuclear power plants with light water reactors (LWR)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hofmann, B.; Schwarz, W.; Burgkhardt, B.; Piesch, E.

1989-02-01

During nuclear start-up of the Muelheim-Kaerlich nuclear power plant in 1986 the neutron radiation fields in the primary and auxiliary component rooms of the containment were investigated using the Single Sphere Albedo Technique and additional measurement techniques. For personnel monitoring albedo neutron dosemeters were used consisting of thermoluminescent detectors and track etch detectors combined with boron converters. Results: (1) The neutron radiation fields reach dose rate values up to 1000 mSv/h at the sleeves of the reactor coolant pipes, in the refuelling pool and the reactor cavity sump. The neutron component varies between 10% in the steam generator rooms up to 92% in the refuelling pool. (2) The mean value of the effective neutron energy at the different locations was found to be about 100 keV. Thermal neutrons contribute with about 10% to the area dose. (3) By direct intercomparisons and different evaluation methods of the Single Sphere Albedo Dosemeter it was shown, that rem-counters used within routine monitoring in the mixed radiation fields of the LWR overestimate the neutron dose rate only insignificantly (+20%) and are therefore usable for practical radiation protection work. (4) The sensitivity of albedo neutron dosemeters allows the detection of neutrons above 10 μSv. The contribution of neutrons to the total personnel dose was 25% in maximum. For the evaluation of albedo detectors a constant calibration factor can be applied. (orig./HP) [de

Active neutron and gamma-ray imaging of highly enriched uranium for treaty verification.

Science.gov (United States)

Hamel, Michael C; Polack, J Kyle; Ruch, Marc L; Marcath, Matthew J; Clarke, Shaun D; Pozzi, Sara A

2017-08-11

The detection and characterization of highly enriched uranium (HEU) presents a large challenge in the non-proliferation field. HEU has a low neutron emission rate and most gamma rays are low energy and easily shielded. To address this challenge, an instrument known as the dual-particle imager (DPI) was used with a portable deuterium-tritium (DT) neutron generator to detect neutrons and gamma rays from induced fission in HEU. We evaluated system response using a 13.7-kg HEU sphere in several configurations with no moderation, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) moderation, and tungsten moderation. A hollow tungsten sphere was interrogated to evaluate the response to a possible hoax item. First, localization capabilities were demonstrated by reconstructing neutron and gamma-ray images. Once localized, additional properties such as fast neutron energy spectra and time-dependent neutron count rates were attributed to the items. For the interrogated configurations containing HEU, the reconstructed neutron spectra resembled Watt spectra, which gave confidence that the interrogated items were undergoing induced fission. The time-dependent neutron count rate was also compared for each configuration and shown to be dependent on the neutron multiplication of the item. This result showed that the DPI is a viable tool for localizing and confirming fissile mass and multiplication.

Neutron probe measurement of soil water content close to soil surface

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faleiros, M.C.; Ravelo S, A.; Souza, M.D. de

1993-01-01

The problem of neutron probe soil water content measurements close to soil surface is analysed from the spatial variability and also from the slow neutron loss to the atmosphere points of view. Results obtained on a dark red latosol of the county of Piracicaba, SP, indicate the possibility of precisely measuring the neutron sphere of influence when different media are used on soil surface. (author). 7 refs, 5 figs, 1 tab

Simulation analysis of radiation fields inside phantoms for neutron irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Satoh, Daiki; Takahashi, Fumiaki; Endo, Akira; Ohmachi, Y.; Miyahara, N.

2007-01-01

Radiation fields inside phantoms have been calculated for neutron irradiation. Particle and heavy-ion transport code system PHITS was employed for the calculation. Energy and size dependences of neutron dose were analyzed using tissue equivalent spheres of different size. A voxel phantom of mouse was developed based on CT images of an 8-week-old male C3H/HeNs mouse. Deposition energy inside the mouse was calculated for 2- and 10-MeV neutron irradiation. (author)

Neutron beam experiments using nuclear research reactors: honoring the retirement of professor Bernard W. Wehring -II. 5. Testing Moderating Detection Systems with 252Cf-Based Reference Neutron Fields

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hertel, Nolan E.; Sweezy, Jeremy; Sauber, Jeremiah S.; Vaughn, David; Cook, Andrew; Tays, Jeff; Ro, Tae-Ik

2001-01-01

In recent years, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) has been involved in a number of neutron dosimetry research projects. Several reference neutron fields are now available for such projects. They are all based on the use of a 252 Cf source. The source can be used by itself to create a reference un-moderated 252 Cf neutron field, or it can be placed inside several different moderating assemblies. The spectra created by placing the source inside these assemblies and the un-moderated source are employed to investigate detector and dosimeter responses. Currently, the set of moderators available includes a 30-cm diam cadmium-covered D 2 O spherical shell, a 30-cm-thick iron spherical shell, a 30-cm-diam polyethylene spherical shell, an 18.3-cm-thick tungsten spherical shell, a 16-cm-thick lead spherical shell, and a 9-cm-thick tantalum spherical shell. In addition, the 252 Cf source can be placed inside a neutron howitzer recently constructed at Georgia Tech. The howitzer is a WEP cylinder loaded with boron that has a 10.16-cm-diam cylindrical opening. When the source is placed in the cylindrical penetration of the howitzer, a neutron field ∼30 cm in diameter is created at a distance of 50 cm from the californium source. Over the last few years, Bonner sphere spectrometers using LiI(Eu) scintillators and LiF thermoluminescence dosimeters have been calibrated using this facility at Georgia Tech. Recently, the Neely Nuclear Research Center (NNRC) acquired an LB 6411 neutron probe (product of EG and G Berthold). This probe is designed to measure ambient dose equivalent in accordance with International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 60 recommendations. It consists of a cylindrical 3 He proportional counter surrounded by a 25-cm-diam spherical polyethylene moderator. Its neutron response is optimized for dose rate measurements of neutrons between thermal energies and 20 MeV (Ref. 5). As a test of the instrument's ability to measure ambient

Neutron detection using Dy2O3 activation detectors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gomaa, M.A.; Mohamed, E.J.

1979-01-01

The aim of the present study is to examine the usefulness of Dy 2 O 3 not only as thermal neutron activation detector but also as a fast neutron detector. For thermal neutrons, the half life of 165 Dy is measured to be (141 +- 6) min, its response to thermal neutrons is (2.18 +- 0.01) cpm/ncm -2 s -1 for a 250 mg Dy 2 O 3 pellet. For fast neutrons the Dy 2 O 3 detector is placed within a 20 cm polyethylene sphere and its response is found to be (2.2 +- 0.1) cpm/ncm -2 s -1 for 4 MeV neutrons and (2.10 +- 0.04) cpm/ncm -2 s -1 for 14 MeV neutrons. For neutron dosimetry, its response is found to be (16.7 +- 0.4) cpm per mrem h -1 . (author)

Neutron spectrum in small iron pile surrounded by lead reflector

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kimura, Itsuro; Hayashi, S.A.; Kobayashi, Katsuhei; Matsumura, Tetsuo; Nishihara, Hiroshi.

1978-01-01

In order to save the quantity of sample material, a possibility to assess group constants of a reactor material through measurement and analysis of neutron spectrum in a small sample pile surrounded by a reflector of heavy moderator, was investigated. As the sample and the reflector, we chose iron and lead, respectively. Although the time dispersion in moderation of neutrons was considerably prolonged by the lead reflector, this hardly interferes with the assessment of group constants. Theoretical calculation revealed that both the neutron flux spectrum and the sensitivity coefficient of group constants in an iron sphere, 35 cm in diameter surrounded by the lead reflector, 25 cm thick, were close to those of the bare iron sphere, 108 cm in diameter. The neutron spectra in a small iron pile surrounded by a lead reflector were experimentally obtained by the time-of-flight method with an electron linear accelerator and the result was compared with the predicted values. It could be confirmed that a small sample pile surrounded by a reflector, such as lead, was as useful as a much larger bulk pile for the assessment of group constants of a reactor material. (auth.)

Dosimetry characterization of the Godiva Reactor under burst conditions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hickman, D. P. [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Heinrichs, D. P. [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Hudson, R. [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Wong, C. [Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Ward, D. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Wilson, C. [Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Berkshire (United Kingdom); Clark, L. [Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Berkshire (United Kingdom); Trompier, F. [Inst. for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France)

2017-06-22

A series of sixteen (16) burst irradiations were performed in May 2014, fifteen of which were part of an international collaboration to characterize the Godiva IV fast burst reactor at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Godiva IV is a bare cylindrical assembly of approximately 65 kg of highly enriched uranium fuel (93.2% ²³⁵U metal alloyed with 1.5% molybdenum for strength) and is designed to perform controlled prompt critical excursions (Myers 2010, Goda 2013). Twelve of the irradiations were dedicated to neutron spectral measurements using a Bonner multiple sphere spectrometer. Three irradiations, with core temperature increases of 71.1°C, 136.9°C, and 229.9°C, were performed for generating comparative fluence data, establishing corrections for varying heights, testing linearity with burst temperature, and establishing gamma dose characteristics.

Measurements and calculations of neutron fluxes through a simulation of the CRBR upper axial shielding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maerker, R.E.; Muckenthaler, F.J.

1976-01-01

Measurements, using a 4-in. Bonner Ball, have been made of the neutron fluxes penetrating a simulation of CRBR upper axial biological shielding at the Tower Shielding Facility. The simulation consisted of a 45.7 cm thick slab of SS-304 followed by a series of sodium tanks having a total thickness of 457 cm followed by slabs of carbon steel up to 61.0 cm thick. Measurements were made behind the stainless steel, behind intermediate thicknesses of 152 cm, 305 cm, and 457 cm of sodium (with the stainless steel in place), and behind various thicknesses of the carbon steel following both 305 cm and 457 cm of sodium (also with the stainless steel in place). Calculated and measured data are presented and compared

3D Space Radiation Transport in a Shielded ICRU Tissue Sphere

Science.gov (United States)

Wilson, John W.; Slaba, Tony C.; Badavi, Francis F.; Reddell, Brandon D.; Bahadori, Amir A.

2014-01-01

A computationally efficient 3DHZETRN code capable of simulating High Charge (Z) and Energy (HZE) and light ions (including neutrons) under space-like boundary conditions with enhanced neutron and light ion propagation was recently developed for a simple homogeneous shield object. Monte Carlo benchmarks were used to verify the methodology in slab and spherical geometry, and the 3D corrections were shown to provide significant improvement over the straight-ahead approximation in some cases. In the present report, the new algorithms with well-defined convergence criteria are extended to inhomogeneous media within a shielded tissue slab and a shielded tissue sphere and tested against Monte Carlo simulation to verify the solution methods. The 3D corrections are again found to more accurately describe the neutron and light ion fluence spectra as compared to the straight-ahead approximation. These computationally efficient methods provide a basis for software capable of space shield analysis and optimization.

Micro pit formation by mercury-sphere collision

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ishikura, Syuichi; Kogawa, Hiroyuki; Futakawa, Masatoshi; Kaminaga, Masanori; Hino, Ryutaro

2004-01-01

The development of a MW-class spallation neutron source facility is being carried out under the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) Project promoted by JAERI and KEK. A mercury target working as the spallation neutron source will be subjected to pressure waves generated by rapid thermal expansion of mercury due to a pulsed proton beam injection. The pressure wave will impose dynamic stress on the vessel and deform the vessel, which would cause cavitation in mercury. To evaluate the effect of mercury micro jets, driven by cavitation bubble collapse, on the micro-pit formation, analyses on mercury sphere collision were carried out: single bubble dynamics and collision behavior on interface between liquid and solid, which take the nonlinearity due to shock wave in mercury and the strain rate dependency of yield stress in solid metal into account. Analytical results give a good explanation to understand relationship between the micro-pit formation and material properties: the pit size could decrease with increasing the yield strength of materials. (author)

Innovate pin design for Sphere-pac fuel in sodium cooled fast reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pouchon, Manuel A.; Niceno, Bojan; Krepel, Jiri

2011-01-01

The paper discusses a new fuel element type, which combines a particle fuel concept, the Sphere-pac, with a new pin design which features internal cooling. Particle fuels are auspicious when considering a closed fuel cycle, where minor actinide containing fuels must be fabricated. The principle advantage lies in their production simplicity with much less maintenance intensive mechanical devices. Furthermore the Sphere-pac is usually produced by a wet and therefore powder-less route. Therefore the implementation in a remotely controlled and heavily shielded environment becomes easier to realize. Besides the advantages in the production process, the Sphere-pac bears one important disadvantage: the lower thermal conductivity of the particle arrangement, and the therefore higher peak temperatures in the fuel. Consequently a new fuel design is suggested in this paper. It offers an internal cooling channel and therefore smaller maximal fuel distances to the coolant. As the concept is new, the most important aspects are studied; these are the neutronics, the temperature profile in the fuel plus thermal-hydraulics aspects. (author)

Measurement of neutron energy spectra of PuO[sub 2]-UO[sub 2] mixed oxide fuel and penetrated through surrounding lead-acryl shield

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nakao, Noriaki; Tsujimura, Norio; Nakamura, Takashi (Tohoku Univ., Sendai (Japan). Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center); Momose, Takumaro; Ninomiya, Kazushige; Ishiguro; Hideharu

1993-12-01

The energy spectra of neutrons emitted from an aluminum can containing PuO[sub 2]-UO[sub 2] mixed oxide fuel and penetrated through a 35mm thick lead-acryl shield surrounding the can, were measured with the NE-213 organic liquid scintillator, the proton recoil proportional counter and the multi-moderator [sup 3]He spectrometer (Bonner Ball). The measured results were compared with the results calculated by the MORSE-CG Monte Carlo code on the basis of source neutron yields obtained by the ORIGEN-2 code and the source energy spectrum cited from the reference data. The agreement between these two was pretty good. The dose equivalents were then calculated from thus-obtained energy spectra and the flux-to-dose conversion factor and showed good agreement with the data measured with the neutron dose-equivalent counters (rem counters). Since the published data on energy spectrum of mixed oxide fuel are very scarce, these results can be useful as basic data for shielding design study and radiation control of nuclear fuel facilities. (author).

Accuracy estimation for intermediate and low energy neutron transport calculation with Monte Carlo code MCNP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kotegawa, Hiroshi; Sasamoto, Nobuo; Tanaka, Shun-ichi

1987-02-01

Both ''measured radioactive inventory due to neutron activation in the shield concrete of JPDR'' and ''measured intermediate and low energy neutron spectra penetrating through a graphite sphere'' are analyzed using a continuous energy model Monte Carlo code MCNP so as to estimate calculational accuracy of the code for neutron transport in thermal and epithermal energy regions. Analyses reveal that MCNP calculates thermal neutron spectra fairly accurately, while it apparently over-estimates epithermal neutron spectra (of approximate 1/E distribution) as compared with the measurements. (author)

Falling-sphere radioactive viscometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Souza, R. de.

1987-01-01

In this work the falling sphere viscometric method was studies experimentally using a sphere tagged with 198 Au radiosotopo, the objective being the demosntration of the advantages of this technique in relation to the traditional method. The utilisation of the falling radioactive sphere permits the point-point monitoring of sphere position as a function of count rate. The fall tube wall and end effects were determined by this technique. Tests were performed with spheres of different diameters in four tubes. The application of this technique demosntrated the wall and end effects in sphere speed. The case of sphere fall in the steady slow regime allowed the determination of the terminal velocity, showing the increase of botton end effect as the sphere approaches the tube base. In the case the transient slow regime, the sphere was initially in a state of respose near the top surface. The data obtained show the influence of the free surface and wall on the sphere acceleration. These experimental data were applied to the Basset equation on order to verify the behaviour of the terms in this equation. (author) [pt

VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference Automating vSphere Administration

CERN Document Server

Dekens, Luc; Sizemore, Glenn; van Lieshout, Arnim; Medd, Jonathan

2011-01-01

Your One-Stop Reference for VMware vSphere Automation If you manage vSphere in a Windows environment, automating routine tasks can save you time and increase efficiency. VMware vSphere PowerCLI is a set of pre-built commands based on Windows PowerShell that is designed to help you automate vSphere processes involving virtual machines, datacenters, storage, networks, and more. This detailed guide-using a practical, task-based approach and real-world examples-shows you how to get the most out of PowerCLI's handy cmdlets. Learn how to: Automate vCenter Server and ESX/ESX(i) Server deployment and

A neutron scattering study of triblock copolymer micelles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gerstenberg, M.C.

1997-11-01

The thesis describes the neutron scattering experiments performed on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer micelles in aqueous solution. The studies concern the non-ionic triblock copolymer P85 which consists of two outer segments of 25 monomers of ethylene oxide attached to a central part of 40 monomers of propylene oxide. The amphiphilic character of P85 leads to formation of various structures in aqueous solution such as spherical micelles, rod-like structures, and a BCC liquid-crystal mesophase of spherical micelles. The present investigations are centered around the micellar structures. In the first part of this thesis a model for the micelle is developed for which an analytical scattering form factor can be calculated. The micelle is modeled as a solid sphere with tethered Gaussian chains. Good agreement was found between small-angle neutron scattering experiments and the form factor of the spherical P85 micelles. Above 60 deg. C some discrepancies were found between the model and the data which is possibly due to an elongation of the micelles. The second part focuses on the surface-induced ordering of the various micellar aggregates in the P85 concentration-temperature phase diagram. In the spherical micellar phase, neutron reflection measurements indicated a micellar ordering at the hydrophilic surface of quartz. Extensive modeling was performed based on a hard sphere description of the micellar interaction. By convolution of the distribution of hard spheres at a hard wall, obtained from Monte Carlo simulations, and the projected scattering length density of the micelle, a numerical expression was obtained which made it possible to fit the data. The hard-sphere-hard-wall model gave an excellent agreement in the bulk micellar phase. However, for higher concentrations (25 wt % P85) close to the transition from the micellar liquid into a micellar cubic phase, a discrepancy was found between the model and the

A neutron scattering study of triblock copolymer micelles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gerstenberg, M.C.

1997-11-01

The thesis describes the neutron scattering experiments performed on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer micelles in aqueous solution. The studies concern the non-ionic triblock copolymer P85 which consists of two outer segments of 25 monomers of ethylene oxide attached to a central part of 40 monomers of propylene oxide. The amphiphilic character of P85 leads to formation of various structures in aqueous solution such as spherical micelles, rod-like structures, and a BCC liquid-crystal mesophase of spherical micelles. The present investigations are centered around the micellar structures. In the first part of this thesis a model for the micelle is developed for which an analytical scattering form factor can be calculated. The micelle is modeled as a solid sphere with tethered Gaussian chains. Good agreement was found between small-angle neutron scattering experiments and the form factor of the spherical P85 micelles. Above 60 deg. C some discrepancies were found between the model and the data which is possibly due to an elongation of the micelles. The second part focuses on the surface-induced ordering of the various micellar aggregates in the P85 concentration-temperature phase diagram. In the spherical micellar phase, neutron reflection measurements indicated a micellar ordering at the hydrophilic surface of quartz. Extensive modeling was performed based on a hard sphere description of the micellar interaction. By convolution of the distribution of hard spheres at a hard wall, obtained from Monte Carlo simulations, and the projected scattering length density of the micelle, a numerical expression was obtained which made it possible to fit the data. The hard-sphere-hard-wall model gave an excellent agreement in the bulk micellar phase. However, for higher concentrations (25 wt % P85) close to the transition from the micellar liquid into a micellar cubic phase, a discrepancy was found between the model and the

Determination of average fission fraction produced by 14 MeV neutrons in assemblies with large volume of depleted uranium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Dalun; Li Benci; Wang Xiuchun; Li Yijun; Zhang Shaohua; He Yongwu

1991-07-01

The average fission fraction of 238 U caused by 14 MeV neutrons in assemblies with large volume depleted uranium has been determined. The measured value of p f 238U (R ∞ depleted ) 14 was 0.897 ± 0.036. Measurements were also completed for neutron flux distribution and average fission fraction of 235 U isotope in depleted uranium sphere. Values of p f 238U (R depleted ) have been obtained by using a series of uranium spheres. For a sphere with Φ 600 the p f 23 '8 U (R 300 depleted ) is 0.823 ± 0.041, the density of depleted uranium assembly is 18.8g/cm 3 and total weight of assembly is about 2.8t

3. Mexican school of nuclear physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chavez L, E.R.; Hess, P.O.; Martinez Q, E.

2002-01-01

The III Mexican School of Nuclear Physics which is directed to those post graduate in Sciences and those of last semesters students of the Physics career or some adjacent career was organized by the Nuclear Physics Division of the Mexican Physics Society, carrying out at November 18-29, 2002 in the installations of the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Nuclear Sciences both in the UNAM, and the National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ). In this as well as the last version its were offered 17 courses, 9 of them including laboratory practices and the rest were of theoretical character only. This book treats about the following themes: Nuclear physics, Electrostatic accelerators, Cyclotrons, Thermonuclear reactions, Surface barrier detectors, Radiation detection, Neutron detection, Bonner sphere spectrometers, Radiation protection, Biological radiation effects, Particle kinematics, Nucleosynthesis, Plastics, Muons, Quadrupoles, Harmonic oscillators, Quantum mechanics among many other matters. (Author)

3. Mexican school of nuclear physics; 3. Escuela Mexicana de Fisica Nuclear

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chavez L, E R [Instituto de Fisica, UNAM, 04510 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Hess, P O [Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, UNAM, 04510 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Martinez Q, E [Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, A.P. 18-1027, 11801 Mexico D.F. (Mexico)

2002-07-01

The III Mexican School of Nuclear Physics which is directed to those post graduate in Sciences and those of last semesters students of the Physics career or some adjacent career was organized by the Nuclear Physics Division of the Mexican Physics Society, carrying out at November 18-29, 2002 in the installations of the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Nuclear Sciences both in the UNAM, and the National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ). In this as well as the last version its were offered 17 courses, 9 of them including laboratory practices and the rest were of theoretical character only. This book treats about the following themes: Nuclear physics, Electrostatic accelerators, Cyclotrons, Thermonuclear reactions, Surface barrier detectors, Radiation detection, Neutron detection, Bonner sphere spectrometers, Radiation protection, Biological radiation effects, Particle kinematics, Nucleosynthesis, Plastics, Muons, Quadrupoles, Harmonic oscillators, Quantum mechanics among many other matters. (Author)

Altitude variation of cosmic-ray neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakamura, T.; Uwamino, Y.; Ohkubo, T.; Hara, A.

1987-01-01

The altitude variation of the cosmic-ray neutron energy spectrum and the dose equivalent rate was measured at an average geomagnetic latitude of 24 degrees N by using the high-efficiency multi-sphere neutron spectrometer and neutron dose-equivalent counter developed by the authors. The data were obtained from a 2-h flight over Japan on 27 February 1985. The neutron energy spectra measured at sea level and at altitudes of 4880 m and at 11,280 m were compared with the calculated spectra of O'Brien and with other experimental spectra, and they are in moderately good agreement with them. The dose equivalent rate increases according to a quadratic curve up to about 6000 m and then increases linearly between 6000 m and 11,280 m. The dependence of dose equivalent rates at sea level and at an altitude of 12,500 m on geomagnetic latitude also is given by referring to other experimental results

Neutron capture cross sections of Kr

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fiebiger Stefan

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Neutron capture and β− -decay are competing branches of the s-process nucleosynthesis path at 85Kr [1], which makes it an important branching point. The knowledge of its neutron capture cross section is therefore essential to constrain stellar models of nucleosynthesis. Despite its importance for different fields, no direct measurement of the cross section of 85Kr in the keV-regime has been performed. The currently reported uncertainties are still in the order of 50% [2, 3]. Neutron capture cross section measurements on a 4% enriched 85Kr gas enclosed in a stainless steel cylinder were performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL using the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE. 85Kr is radioactive isotope with a half life of 10.8 years. As this was a low-enrichment sample, the main contaminants, the stable krypton isotopes 83Kr and 86Kr, were also investigated. The material was highly enriched and contained in pressurized stainless steel spheres.

Neutron removal in peripheral relativistic heavy ion collisions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aumann, T.

1994-09-01

We investigate the relativistic Coulomb fragmentation of 197 Au by heavy ions, leading to one-, two- and three-neutron removal. To resolve the ambiguity connected with the choice of a specific minimum impact parameter in a semiclassical calculation, a microscopic approach is developed based on nucleon-nucleon collisions ('soft-spheres' model). This approach is compared with experimental data for 197 Au at 1 GeV/nucleon and with a calculation using the 'sharp-cutoff' approximation. We find that the harmonic-oscillator model predicting a Poisson distribution of the excitation probabilities of multiphonon states gives a good agreement with one-neutron removal cross sections but is unable to reach an equally good agreement with three-neutron removal cross sections. (orig.)

Technology Development for Radiation Dose Measurement and Evaluation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Bong Hwan; Chang, S. Y.; Lee, T. Y. (and others)

2007-06-15

The correction factors essential for the operation of In-Vivo counting system were produced and implemented into a field operation for the improvement of accuracy in measurement of the radioactivity inside a human body. The BiDAS2007 code which calculate an internal dose was developed by upgrading the former code prepared in the previous stage of this project. The method of using the multibioassy data, the maximum likelihood function and the Bayesian statistics were established to an internal dose based on the measurement data of radioactivity, intakes and retention of radioactivity in a human body and it can improve the accuracy in estimation of the intakes of radioactivity and the committed effective dose equivalent. In order to solve the problem of low detection efficiency of the conventional Bonner Sphere (BS) to a high energy neutron, the extended BS's were manufactured and the technique for neutron field spectrometry was established. The fast neutron and gamma spectrometry system with a BC501A scintillation detector was also prepared. Several neutron fluence spectra at several nuclear facilities were measured and collected by using the extended BS. The spectrum weighted responses of some neutron monitoring instruments were also derived by using these spectra and the detector response functions. A high efficient TL material for the neutron personal dosimeter was developed. It solved the main problem of low thermal stability and high residual dose of the commercial TLDs and has the sensitivity to neutron and to gamma radiation with 40 and 10 times higher respectively than them.

Nuclear reactor using fuel sphere for combustion and fuel spheres for breeding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamashita, Kiyonobu.

1995-01-01

The present invention concerns a pebble bed-type reactor which can efficiently convert parent nuclides to fission nuclides. Fuel spheres for combustion having fission nuclides as main fuels, and fuel spheres for breeding having parent nuclides as main fuels are used separately, in the pebble bed-type reactor. According to the present invention, fuel spheres for breeding can be stayed in a reactor core for a long period of time, so that parent nuclides can be sufficiently converted into fission nuclides. In addition, since fuel spheres for breeding are loaded repeatedly, the amount thereof to be used is reduced. Therefore, the amount of the fuel spheres for breeding is small even when they are re-processed. On the other hand, since the content of the fission nuclides in the fuel spheres for breeding is not great, they can be put to final storage. This is attributable that although the fuel spheres for breeding contain fission nuclides generated by conversion, the fission nuclides are annihilated by nuclear fission reactions at the same time with the generation thereof. (I.S.)

Experimental verification of a new neutron spectrometer for environmental dosimetry and area; Verficiacion experimental de un nuevo espectrometro de neutrones para dosimetria ambiental y de area

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gomez-Ros, J. M.; Romero, A.; Begogini, R.; Esposito, A.; Moraleda, M.; Lagares, J. I.; Sansaloni, F.; Arce, P.; Llop, J.

2011-07-01

In this communication, we present experimental results with a new neutron spectrometer, developed jointly by the Radiation Dosimetry Unit of CIEMAT Unita di Fisica and INFN-LNF Sanitary (Italy), consisting of a polyethylene moderating sphere detectors thermal neutrons (paired thermoluminescent dosimeters and activation foils) located in different positions. The device configuration and distribution of dosimeters are designed to elicit a response in a nearly isotropic up to 20 MeV energy range. (Author)

Application of INAA in the characterisation and quantification of Dy-labeled ceramic spheres and their use as inert tracers in soil studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Duke, M.J.M.; Plante, A.F.; McGill, W.B.

2000-01-01

An inert, activated tracer method, using sized ceramic spheres custom labeled with ∼15% Dy 2 O 3 manufacture, has been developed to study soil aggregation. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) with a Slowpoke reactor, using 165m Dy (T 1/2 = 1.26 min), provides an extremely rapid means with which to characterise the Dy-content of the various size fractions of labeled spheres from different production runs. In contrast, the Dy-content (and hence number of spheres) of 5-8 g soil/sphere mixtures is determined using the longer-lived 165 Dy (T 1/2 = 2.33 hrs) following a ∼30-minute decay period during which the otherwise interfering 28 Al (T 1/2 = 2.24 min) preferentially decays. The method is expected to find many applications. (author)

Graphs with Eulerian unit spheres

OpenAIRE

Knill, Oliver

2015-01-01

d-spheres in graph theory are inductively defined as graphs for which all unit spheres S(x) are (d-1)-spheres and that the removal of one vertex renders the graph contractible. Eulerian d-spheres are geometric d-spheres which are d+1 colorable. We prove here that G is an Eulerian sphere if and only if the degrees of all the (d-2)-dimensional sub-simplices in G are even. This generalizes a Kempe-Heawood result for d=2 and is work related to the conjecture that all d-spheres have chromatic numb...

VMware vSphere Design

CERN Document Server

Guthrie, Forbes; Saidel-Keesing, Maish

2011-01-01

The only book focused on designing VMware vSphere implementations.VMware vSphere is the most widely deployed virtualization platform today. Considered the most robust and sophisticated hypervisor product, vSphere is the de facto standard for businesses, both large and small. This book is the only one of its kind to concisely explain how to execute a successful vSphere architecture, tailored to meet your company's needs. Expert authors share with you the factors that shape the design of a vSphere implementation. Learn how to make the right design decisions for your environment.Explores the late

Benchmark validation by means of pulsed sphere experiment at OKTAVIAN

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ichihara, Chihiro [Kyoto Univ., Kumatori, Osaka (Japan). Research Reactor Inst.; Hayashi, S.A.; Kimura, Itsuro; Yamamoto, Junji; Takahashi, Akito

1997-03-01

The new version of Japanese nuclear data library JENDL-3.2 has recently been released. JENDL Fusion File which adopted DDX representations for secondary neutrons was also improved with the new evaluation method. On the other hand, FENDL nuclear data project to compile nuclear data library for fusion related research has been conducted partly under auspices of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The first version FENDL-1 consists of JENDL-3.1, ENDF/B-VI, BROND-2 and EFF-1 and has been released in 1995. The work for the second version FENDL-2 is now ongoing. The Bench mark validation of the nuclear data libraries have been performed to help selecting the candidate for the FENDL-2. The benchmark experiment have been conducted at OKTAVIAN of Osaka university. The sample spheres were constructed by filling the spherical shells with sample. The leakage neutron spectra from sphere piles were measured with a time-of-flight method. The measured spectra were compared with the theoretical calculation using MCNP 4A and the processed libraries from JENDL-3.1, JENDL-3.2, JENDL Fusion File, and FENDL-1. JENDL Fusion File and JENDL-3.2 gave almost the same prediction for the experiment. And both prediction are almost satisfying for Li, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zr, Nb and Mo, whereas for Al, LiF, CF2, Si, Ti, Co and W there is some discrepancy. However, they gave better prediction than the calculations using the library from FENDL-1, except for W. (author)

Neutron and gamma-ray transport experiments in liquid air

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Farley, W.E.

1976-01-01

Accurate estimates of neutron and gamma radiations from a nuclear explosion and their subsequent transport through the atmosphere are vital to nuclear-weapon employment studies: i.e., for determining safety radii for aircraft crews, casualty and collateral-damage risk radii for tactical weapons, and the kill range from a high-yield defensive burst for a maneuvering reentry vehicle. Radiation transport codes, such as the Laboratory's TARTNP, are used to calculate neutron and gamma fluences. Experiments have been performed to check and update these codes. Recently, a 1.3-m-radius liquid-air (21 percent oxygen) sphere, with a pulsed source of 14-MeV neutrons at its center, was used to measure the fluence and spectra of emerging neutrons and secondary gamma rays. Comparison of measured radiation dose with TARTNP showed agreement within 10 percent

ORGANIZATION IN CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC SPHERE

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rosemarie HAINES

2013-12-01

Full Text Available The critical analysis of Habermas’ Public Sphere Theory and the comparative undertaking to the current day enables us to assert that in contemporary society, public sphere is no longer a political public sphere, this dimension being completed by a societal dimension, the public sphere has extended and now we can talk about partial public spheres in an ever more commercial environment. The new rebuilding and communication technologies create a new type of public character: the visible sphere – non-located, non-dialogical and open. Information and communication are more and more involved in the restructuring of capitalism on an international scale and the reorganization of leadership and management systems. The reevaluation of the public sphere, public opinion, communication allows us to define public sphere according to the profound mutations from today’s democratic societies.

A new/old type of neutron spectrometer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vylet, V.; Fasso, A.; Luckau, N.

1998-01-01

The proposed portable spectrometer is a large sphere made of a plastic scintillator loaded with boron, possibly enriched with boron 10. The sphere is divided into spherical shells coated with a reflective or opaque material. Each shell is made of two hemispherical shells or smaller segments. Each segment is connected by a light-guide to a photomultiplier or a photodiode. It might be possible to use miniature photomultipliers directly embedded in detector layers. Each shell measures the thermal fluence at a different moderator depth and the set of shell responses can be used to unfold the original neutron spectrum, covering the range of energies from thermal to 20 MeV. (M.D.)

Measurement of neutron multiplication in Pb by Mn foils

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen Yuan; Liu Rong; Guo Haiping; Jiang Wenmian; Shen Jian

1994-01-01

The Leakage neutron multiplication in bulk lead has been measured using the total absorption detector and relative method. The polyethylene sphere of 138 cm in diameter is used as the moderator and total absorption detector. The measured results from 55 Mn foils and 6 Li glass are compared. The neutron multiplication is 1.74 with the lead shell of 23.1 cm thick. The measured result is consistent with the calculated one with ANISN code and ENDF/B-6 evaluated data within the experimental error. (4 figs., 3 tabs.)

Criticality of a 237Np sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanchez, Rene; Loaiza, David; Kimpland, Robert; Hayes, David; Cappiello, Charlene; Chadwick, Mark

2006-01-01

For the past five years, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have mounted an unprecedented effort to get a better estimate of the critical mass of 237 Np. To accomplish this task, a 6-kg neptunium sphere was recently cast at the Chemical and Metallurgy Research (CMR) facility, which is part of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The neptunium sphere was clad with tungsten and nickel to reduce the dose rates from the 310 keV gamma rays from the first daughter of neptunium, namely, 233 Pa. 237 Np is a byproduct of power production in nuclear reactors. It is primarily produced by successive neutron captures in 235 U or through the (n,2n) reaction in 238 U. These nuclear reactions lead to the production of 237 U, which decays by beta emission into 237 Np, namely, 235 U(n,γ) 236 U, 236 U(n,γ) 237 U→β→ 237 Np, 238 U (n,2n) 237 U→β→ 237 Np. It is estimated that a typical 1000 MW(e) produces on the order of 12 to 13 kg of neptunium in a year. Some of this neptunium in irradiated fuel elements has been separated and is presently stored in containers in a liquid form. This method of storage is quite adequate because the fission cross section for 237 Np at thermal energies is quite low and any moderation of the neutron population by diluting the configurations with water would increase the critical mass to infinity. However, for long term storage, the neptunium liquid solutions must be converted into oxides and metals because these form are less movable and less likely to leak out of containers. Metals and oxides made out of neptunium have finite critical masses but there is a great uncertainty about these values because of the lack of experimental criticality data. Knowing precisely the critical mass of neptunium not only will help to validate mass storage limits or optimize storage configurations for safe disposition of these materials, but will also save thousands of dollars in transportation and disposition costs. The experimental results presented in

A diffusion-theoretical method to calculate the neutron flux distribution in multisphere configurations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schuerrer, F.

1980-01-01

For characterizing heterogene configurations of pebble-bed reactors the fine structure of the flux distribution as well as the determination of the macroscopic neutronphysical quantities are of interest. When calculating system parameters of Wigner-Seitz-cells the usual codes for neutron spectra calculation always neglect the modulation of the neutron flux by the influence of neighbouring spheres. To judge the error arising from that procedure it is necessary to determinate the flux distribution in the surrounding of a spherical fuel element. In the present paper an approximation method to calculate the flux distribution in the two-sphere model is developed. This method is based on the exactly solvable problem of the flux determination of a point source of neutrons in an infinite medium, which contains a spherical perturbation zone eccentric to the point source. An iteration method allows by superposing secondary fields and alternately satisfying the conditions of continuity on the surface of each of the two fuel elements to advance to continually improving approximations. (orig.) 891 RW/orig. 892 CKA [de

Public Sphere

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Trenz, Hans-Jörg

2015-01-01

In modern societies, the public sphere represents the intermediary realm that supports the communication of opinions, the discovery of problems that need to be dealt with collectively, the channeling of these problems through the filter of the media and political institutions, and the realization...... of the collective will of the people in the act of democratic self-government. The concept of the public sphere is used across the fields of media and communication research, cultural studies and the humanities, the history of ideas, legal and constitutional studies as well as democracy studies. Historically......, public spheres have undergone structural transformations that were closely connected to the emergence of different mass media. More recently, they are subject to trends of transnationalization and digitalization in politics and society....

A 222 energy bins response matrix for a {sup 6}Lil scintillator Bss system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacerda, M. A. S. [Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, Laboratorio de Calibracao de Dosimetros, Av. Pte. Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil); Vega C, H. R. [Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Unidad Academica de Estudios Nucleares, Cipres No. 10, Fracc. La Penuela, 98068 Zacatecas, Zac. (Mexico); Mendez V, R. [Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas, Laboratorio de Patrones Neutronicos, Av. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Lorente F, A.; Ibanez F, S.; Gallego D, E., E-mail: masl@cdtn.br [Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingenieria Nuclear, 28006 Madrid (Spain)

2016-10-15

A new response matrix was calculated for a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (Bss) with a {sup 6}Lil(Eu) scintillator. We utilized the Monte Carlo N-particle radiation transport code MCNPX, version 2.7.0, with Endf/B-VII.0 nuclear data library to calculate the responses for 6 spheres and the bare detector, for energies varying from 9.441 E(-10) MeV to 105.9 MeV, with 20 equal-log(E)-width bins per energy decade, totalizing 222 energy groups. A Bss, like the modeled in this work, was utilized to measure the neutron spectrum generated by the {sup 241}AmBe source of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. From the count rates obtained with this Bss system we unfolded neutron spectrum utilizing the BUNKIUT code for 31 energy bins (UTA-4 response matrix) and the MAXED code with the new calculated response functions. We compared spectra obtained with these Bss system / unfold codes with that obtained from measurements performed with a Bss system constituted of 12 spheres with a spherical {sup 3}He Sp-9 counter (Centronic Ltd., UK) and MAXED code with the system-specific response functions (Bss-CIEMAT). A relatively good agreement was observed between our response matrix and that calculated by other authors. In general, we observed an improvement in the agreement as the energy increases. However, higher discrepancies were observed for energies close to 1-E(-8) MeV and, mainly, for energies above 20 MeV. These discrepancies were mainly attributed to the differences in cross-section libraries employed. The ambient dose equivalent (H (10)) calculated with the {sup 6}Lil-MAXED showed a good agreement with values measured with the neutron area monitor Bert hold Lb 6411 and within 12% the value obtained with another Bss system (Bss-CIEMAT). The response matrix calculated in this work can be utilized together with the MAXED code to generate neutron spectra with a good energy resolution up to 20 MeV. Some additional tests are being done to validate this response matrix and improve the

A 222 energy bins response matrix for a "6Lil scintillator Bss system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lacerda, M. A. S.; Vega C, H. R.; Mendez V, R.; Lorente F, A.; Ibanez F, S.; Gallego D, E.

2016-10-01

A new response matrix was calculated for a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (Bss) with a "6Lil(Eu) scintillator. We utilized the Monte Carlo N-particle radiation transport code MCNPX, version 2.7.0, with Endf/B-VII.0 nuclear data library to calculate the responses for 6 spheres and the bare detector, for energies varying from 9.441 E(-10) MeV to 105.9 MeV, with 20 equal-log(E)-width bins per energy decade, totalizing 222 energy groups. A Bss, like the modeled in this work, was utilized to measure the neutron spectrum generated by the "2"4"1AmBe source of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. From the count rates obtained with this Bss system we unfolded neutron spectrum utilizing the BUNKIUT code for 31 energy bins (UTA-4 response matrix) and the MAXED code with the new calculated response functions. We compared spectra obtained with these Bss system / unfold codes with that obtained from measurements performed with a Bss system constituted of 12 spheres with a spherical "3He Sp-9 counter (Centronic Ltd., UK) and MAXED code with the system-specific response functions (Bss-CIEMAT). A relatively good agreement was observed between our response matrix and that calculated by other authors. In general, we observed an improvement in the agreement as the energy increases. However, higher discrepancies were observed for energies close to 1-E(-8) MeV and, mainly, for energies above 20 MeV. These discrepancies were mainly attributed to the differences in cross-section libraries employed. The ambient dose equivalent (H (10)) calculated with the "6Lil-MAXED showed a good agreement with values measured with the neutron area monitor Bert hold Lb 6411 and within 12% the value obtained with another Bss system (Bss-CIEMAT). The response matrix calculated in this work can be utilized together with the MAXED code to generate neutron spectra with a good energy resolution up to 20 MeV. Some additional tests are being done to validate this response matrix and improve the results for energies

Measurement result of the neutron monitor onboard the Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment - Attached Payload (SEDA-AP)

Science.gov (United States)

Koga, K.; Muraki, Y.; Shibata, S.; Yamamoto, T.; Matsumoto, H.; Okudaira, O.; Kawano, H.; Yumoto, K.

2013-12-01

To support future space activities, it is crucial to acquire space environmental data related to the space-radiation degradation of space parts and materials, and spacecraft anomalies. Such data are useful for spacecraft design and manned space activity. SEDA-AP was mounted on 'Kibo' of the ISS (International Space Station) to measure the space environment at a 400-kilometer altitude. Neutrons are very harmful radiation, with electrical neutrality that makes them strongly permeable. SEDA-AP measures the energy of neutrons from thermal to 100 MeV in real time using a Bonner Ball Detector (BBND) and a Scintillation Fiber Detector (FIB). BBND detects neutrons using He-3 counters, which have high sensitivity to thermal neutrons. Neutron energy is derived using the relative response function of polyethylene moderators of 6 different thicknesses. FIB measures the tracks of recoil protons caused by neutrons within a cubic arrayed sensor of 512 scintillation fibers. The charged particles are excluded using an anti-scintillator which surrounds the cube sensor, and the neutron energy is obtained from the track length of a recoil proton. There are three sources of neutrons in space; 1. Albedo Neutrons Produced by reactions of galactic cosmic rays or radiation belt particles with the atmosphere 2. Local Neutrons Produced by the reactions of galactic cosmic rays or radiation belt particles with spacecraft 3. Solar Neutrons Produced by accelerated particles in solar flares An accurate energy spectrum of the solar neutrons includes important information on high-energy particle generation mechanism in a solar flare, because neutrons are unaffected by interplanetary magnetic fields. These data will become useful to forecast solar energetic particles in future. Some candidate events involving solar neutrons were found as a result of analyzing data of the solar flare of M>2 since September 2009. Moreover, it is important to measure albedo neutrons, since protons generated by neutron

Nature of complex time eigenvalues of the one speed transport equation in a homogeneous sphere

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dahl, E.B.; Sahni, D.C.

1990-01-01

The complex time eigenvalues of the transport equation have been studied for one speed neutrons, scattered isotropically in a homogeneous sphere with vacuum boundary conditions. It is shown that the complex decay constants vary continuously with the radius of the sphere. Our earlier conjecture (Dahl and Sahni (1983-84)) regarding disjoint arcs is thus shown to be true. We also indicate that complex decay constants exist even for large assemblies, though with rapid oscillations in the corresponding eigenvectors. These modes cannot be predicted by the diffusion equation as this behaviour of the eigenvectors contradicts the assumption of 'slowly varying flux' needed to derive the diffusion approximation from the transport equation. For an infinite system, the existence of complex modes is related to the solution of a homogeneous equation. (author)

SURFACES OF HARD-SPHERE SYSTEMS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dietrich Stoyan

2014-07-01

Full Text Available In various situations surfaces appear that are formed by systems of hard spheres. Examples are porous layers as surfaces of sand heaps and biofilms or fracture surfaces of concrete. The present paper considers models where a statistically homogeneous system of hard spheres with random radii is intersected by a plane and the surface is formed by the spheres with centers close to this plane. Formulae are derived for various characteristics of such surfaces: for the porosity profile, i.e. the local porosity in dependence on the distance from the section plane and for the geometry of the sphere caps that look above the section plane.It turns out that these characteristics only depend on the first-order characteristics of the sphere system, its sphere density and the sphere radius distribution.Comparison with empirically studied biofilms shows that the model is realistic.

Neutron transmission measurements on hydrogen filled microspheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dyrnjaja, Eva; Hummel, Stefan; Keding, Marcus; Smolle, Marie-Theres; Gerger, Joachim; Zawisky, Michael

2014-01-01

Hollow microspheres are promising candidates for future hydrogen storage technologies. Although the physical process for hydrogen diffusion through glass is well understood, measurements of static quantities (e.q. hydrogen pressure inside the spheres) as well as dynamic properties (e.g. diffusion rate of hydrogen through glass) are still difficult to handle due to the small size of the spheres (d≈15μm). For diffusion rate measurements, the long-term stability of the experiment is also mandatory due to the relatively slow diffusion rate. In this work, we present an accurate and long-term stable measurement technique for static and dynamic properties, using neutron radiography. Furthermore, possible applications for hydrogen filled microspheres within the scope of radiation issues are discussed

Improving neutron multiplicity counting for the spatial dependence of multiplication: Results for spherical plutonium samples

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Göttsche, Malte, E-mail: malte.goettsche@physik.uni-hamburg.de; Kirchner, Gerald

2015-10-21

The fissile mass deduced from a neutron multiplicity counting measurement of high mass dense items is underestimated if the spatial dependence of the multiplication is not taken into account. It is shown that an appropriate physics-based correction successfully removes the bias. It depends on four correction coefficients which can only be exactly determined if the sample geometry and composition are known. In some cases, for example in warhead authentication, available information on the sample will be very limited. MCNPX-PoliMi simulations have been performed to obtain the correction coefficients for a range of spherical plutonium metal geometries, with and without polyethylene reflection placed around the spheres. For hollow spheres, the analysis shows that the correction coefficients can be approximated with high accuracy as a function of the sphere's thickness depending only slightly on the radius. If the thickness remains unknown, less accurate estimates of the correction coefficients can be obtained from the neutron multiplication. The influence of isotopic composition is limited. The correction coefficients become somewhat smaller when reflection is present.

Application of the three-dimensional transport code to analysis of the neutron streaming experiment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chatani, K.; Slater, C.O.

1990-01-01

The neutron streaming through an experimental mock-up of a Clinch River Breeder Reactor (CRBR) prototypic coolant pipe chaseway was recalculated with a three-dimensional discrete ordinates code. The experiment was conducted at the Tower Shielding Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1976 and 1977. The measurement of the neutron flux, using Bonner ball detectors, indicated nine orders of attenuation in the empty pipeway, which contained two 90-deg bends and was surrounded by concrete walls. The measurement data were originally analyzed using the DOT3.5 two-dimensional discrete ordinates radiation transport code. However, the results did not agree with measurement data at the bend because of the difficulties in modeling the three-dimensional configurations using two-dimensional methods. The two-dimensional calculations used a three-step procedure in which each of the three legs making the two 90-deg bends was a separate calculation. The experiment was recently analyzed with the TORT three-dimensional discrete ordinates radiation transport code, not only to compare the calculational results with the experimental results, but also to compare with results obtained from analyses in Japan using DOT3.5, MORSE, and ENSEMBLE, which is a three-dimensional discrete ordinates radiation transport code developed in Japan

Mastering VMware vSphere 5

CERN Document Server

Lowe, Scott

2011-01-01

A new and updated edition of bestselling Mastering VMware vSphere 4 Written by leading VMware expert, this book covers all the features and capabilities of VMware vSphere. You'll learn how to install, configure, operate, manage, and secure the latest release.Covers all the new features and capabilities of the much-anticipated new release of VMware vSphereDiscusses the planning, installation, operation, and management for the latest releaseReviews migration to the latest vSphere softwareOffers hands-on instruction and clear explanations with real-world examples Mastering VMware vSphere is the

The calculated neutron response of a sphere with the multi-counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Taosheng; Yang Lianzhen; Li Dongyu

2004-01-01

Based on the difference of the neutron distribution in the moderator, three position sensitive proportional counters which are perpendicular to each other are inserted into the moderator. The energy responses with six spherical moderators and six incidence directions have been calculated by MCNP4A code. The calculated results for two divided region methods in the radial of the spherical moderator have been analyzed and compared. (authors)

Reducing neutron multiplicity counting bias for plutonium warhead authentication

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Goettsche, Malte

2015-06-05

Confidence in future nuclear arms control agreements could be enhanced by direct verification of warheads. It would include warhead authentication. This is the assessment based on measurements whether a declaration that a specific item is a nuclear warhead is true. An information barrier can be used to protect sensitive information during measurements. It could for example show whether attributes such as a fissile mass exceeding a threshold are met without indicating detailed measurement results. Neutron multiplicity measurements would be able to assess a plutonium fissile mass attribute if it were possible to show that their bias is low. Plutonium measurements have been conducted with the He-3 based Passive Scrap Multiplicity Counter. The measurement data has been used as a reference to test the capacity of the Monte Carlo code MCNPX-PoliMi to simulate neutron multiplicity measurements. The simulation results with their uncertainties are in agreement with the experimental results. It is essential to use cross-sections which include neutron scattering with the detector's polyethylene molecular structure. Further MCNPX-PoliMi simulations have been conducted in order to study bias that occurs when measuring samples with large plutonium masses such as warheads. Simulation results of solid and hollow metal spheres up to 6000 g show that the masses are underpredicted by as much as 20%. The main source of this bias has been identified in the false assumption that the neutron multiplication does not depend on the position where a spontaneous fission event occurred. The multiplication refers to the total number of neutrons leaking a sample after a primary spontaneous fission event, taking induced fission into consideration. The correction of the analysis has been derived and implemented in a MATLAB code. It depends on four geometry-dependent correction coefficients. When the sample configuration is fully known, these can be exactly determined and remove this type of

Neutron physical investigations on the shutdown effect of small boronated absorbing spheres for pebble-bed high-temperature gas-cooled reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sgouridis, S.; Schurrer, F.; Muller, H.; Ninaus, W.; Oswald, K.; Neef, R.D.; Schaal, H.

1987-01-01

An emergency shutdown system for high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed reactors is proposed in addition to the common absorber rod shutdown system. This system is based on the strongly absorbing effect of small boronated graphite spheres (called KLAK), which trickle in case of emergency by gravity from the top reflector into the reactor core. The inner reflector of the Siemens-Argonaut reactor was substituted by an assembly of spherical Arbeitsgemeinschaft Versuchsreaktor fuel elements, and the shutdown effect was examined by installing well-defined KLAK nests inside this assembly. The purpose was to develop and prove a calculational procedure for determining criticality values for assemblies of large fuel spheres and small absorbing spheres

Analytic functionals on the sphere

CERN Document Server

Morimoto, Mitsuo

1998-01-01

This book treats spherical harmonic expansion of real analytic functions and hyperfunctions on the sphere. Because a one-dimensional sphere is a circle, the simplest example of the theory is that of Fourier series of periodic functions. The author first introduces a system of complex neighborhoods of the sphere by means of the Lie norm. He then studies holomorphic functions and analytic functionals on the complex sphere. In the one-dimensional case, this corresponds to the study of holomorphic functions and analytic functionals on the annular set in the complex plane, relying on the Laurent series expansion. In this volume, it is shown that the same idea still works in a higher-dimensional sphere. The Fourier-Borel transformation of analytic functionals on the sphere is also examined; the eigenfunction of the Laplacian can be studied in this way.

Nuclei in a neutron star

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oyamatsu, K.; Yamada, M.

1994-01-01

We report on the recent progress in understanding the matter in the crust of a neutron star. For nuclides in the outer crust, recently measured masses of neutron-rich nuclei enable us to determine more accurately the stable nuclide as a function of the matter density. In the inner crust, the compressible liquid-drop model predicts successive change of the nuclear shape, from sphere to cylinder, slab, cylindrical hole and spherical hole at densities just before the transition to uniform matter. In order to go beyond the liquiddrop model, we performed the Thomas-Fermi calculation paying special attention to the surface diffuseness, and have recently calculated the shell energies of the non-spherical nuclei. We have found from these studies that all these non-spherical nuclei exist stably in the above order even if we include the surface diffuseness and shell energies. (author)

Cold source vessel development for the advanced neutron source

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Williams, P.T.; Lucas, A.T. [Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

1995-09-01

The Advanced Neutron Source (ANS), in its conceptual design phase at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), will be a user-oriented neutron research facility that will produce the most intense flux of neutrons in the world. Among its many scientific applications, the productions of cold neutrons is a significant research mission for the ANS. The cold neutrons come from two independent cold sources positioned near the reactor core. Contained by an aluminum alloy vessel, each cold source is a 410 mm diameter sphere of liquid deuterium that functions both as a neutron moderator and a cryogenic coolant. With nuclear heating of the containment vessel and internal baffling, steady-state operation requires close control of the liquid deuterium flow near the vessel`s inner surface. Preliminary thermal-hydraulic analyses supporting the cold source design are being performed with multi-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations of the liquid deuterium flow and heat transfer. This paper presents the starting phase of a challenging program and describes the cold source conceptual design, the thermal-hydraulic feasibility studies of the containment vessel, and the future computational and experimental studies that will be used to verify the final design.

Fusion breeder sphere - PAC blanket design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sullivan, J.D.; Palmer, B.J.F.

1987-11-01

There is a considerable world-wide effort directed toward the production of materials for fusion reactors. Many ceramic fabrication groups are working on making lithium ceramics in a variety of forms, to be incorporated into the tritium breeding blanket which will surround the fusion reactor. Current blanket designs include ceramic in either monolithic or packed sphere bed (sphere-pac) forms. The major thrust at AECL is the production of lithium aluminate spheres to be incorporated in a sphere-pac bed. Contemporary studies on breeder blanket design offer little insight into the requirements on the sizes of the spheres. This study examined the parameters which determine the properties of pressure drop and coolant requirements. It was determined that an optimised sphere-pac bed would be composed of two diameters of spheres: 75 weight % at 3 mm and 25 weight % at 0.3 mm

Finite element analysis of the neutron transport equation in spherical geometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Yong Ill; Kim, Jong Kyung; Suk, Soo Dong

1992-01-01

The Galerkin formulation of the finite element method is applied to the integral law of the first-order form of the one-group neutron transport equation in one-dimensional spherical geometry. Piecewise linear or quadratic Lagrange polynomials are utilized in the integral law for the angular flux to establish a set of linear algebraic equations. Numerical analyses are performed for the scalar flux distribution in a heterogeneous sphere as well as for the criticality problem in a uniform sphere. For the criticality problems in the uniform sphere, the results of the finite element method, with the use of continuous finite elements in space and angle, are compared with the exact solutions. In the heterogeneous problem, the scalar flux distribution obtained by using discontinuous angular and spatical finite elements is in good agreement with that from the ANISN code calculation. (Author)

Development of a High Fluence Neutron Source for Nondestructive Characterization of Nuclear Waste

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pickrell, Mark M.

1999-01-01

We are addressing the need to measure nuclear wastes, residues, and spent fuel in order to process these for final disposition. For example, TRU wastes destined for the WIPP must satisfy extensive characterization criteria outlined in the Waste Acceptance Criteria, the Quality Assurance Program Plan, and the Performance Demonstration Plan. Similar requirements exist for spent fuel and residues. At present, no nondestructive assay (NDA) instrumentation is capable of satisfying all of the PDP test cycles (particularly for Remote-Handled TRU waste). One of the primary methods for waste assay is by active neutron interrogation. The objective of this project is to improve the capability of all active neutron systems by providing a higher intensity neutron source (by about a factor of 1,000) for essentially the same cost, power, and space requirements as existing systems. This high intensity neutron source is an electrostatically confined (IEC) plasma device. The IEC is a symmetric sphere that was originally developed in the 1960s as a possible fusion reactor. It operates as DT neutron generator. Although it is not likely that this device will scale to fusion reactor levels, previous experiments1 have demonstrated a neutron yield of 2 x 1010 neutrons/second on a table-top device that can be powered from ordinary laboratory circuits (9 kilowatts). Subsequently, the IEC physics has been extensively studied at the University of Illinois and other locations. We have established theoretically the basis for scaling the output up to 1 x 1011 neutrons/second. In addition, IEC devices have run for cumulative times approaching 10,000 hours, which is essential for practical application to NDA. They have been operated in pulsed and continuous mode. The essential features of the IEC plasma neutron source, compared to existing sources of the same cost, size and power consumption, are: Table 1: Present and Target Operating Parameters for Small Neutron Generators Parameter Present IEC

Experimental validation of GADRAS's coupled neutron-photon inverse radiation transport solver

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mattingly, John K.; Mitchell, Dean James; Harding, Lee T.

2010-01-01

Sandia National Laboratories has developed an inverse radiation transport solver that applies nonlinear regression to coupled neutron-photon deterministic transport models. The inverse solver uses nonlinear regression to fit a radiation transport model to gamma spectrometry and neutron multiplicity counting measurements. The subject of this paper is the experimental validation of that solver. This paper describes a series of experiments conducted with a 4.5 kg sphere of α-phase, weapons-grade plutonium. The source was measured bare and reflected by high-density polyethylene (HDPE) spherical shells with total thicknesses between 1.27 and 15.24 cm. Neutron and photon emissions from the source were measured using three instruments: a gross neutron counter, a portable neutron multiplicity counter, and a high-resolution gamma spectrometer. These measurements were used as input to the inverse radiation transport solver to evaluate the solver's ability to correctly infer the configuration of the source from its measured radiation signatures.

Using neutrons to measure keV temperatures in highly compressed plastic at multi-Gbar pressures

Science.gov (United States)

Nilsen, J.; Bachmann, B.; Zimmerman, G. B.; Hatarik, R.; Döppner, T.; Swift, D.; Hawreliak, J.; Collins, G. W.; Falcone, R. W.; Glenzer, S. H.; Kraus, D.; Landen, O. L.; Kritcher, A. L.

2016-12-01

We have designed an experiment for the National Ignition Facility to measure the Hugoniot of materials such as plastic at extreme pressures. The design employs a strong spherically converging shock launched through a solid ball of material using a hohlraum radiation drive. The shock front conditions can be characterized using X-ray radiography until background from shock coalescence overtakes the backlit signal. Shock coalescence at the center is predicted to reach tens of Gbars and can be further characterized by measuring the X-ray self-emission and 2.45 MeV neutrons emitted from the shock flash region. In this simulation design work the standard plastic sphere is replaced with a deuterated polyethylene sphere, CD2, that reaches sufficiently high densities and temperatures in the central hot spot to produce neutrons from Deuterium-Deuterium (DD) fusion reactions that can be measured by a neutron time of flight spectrometer (nTOF) and act as a temperature diagnostic. This paper focuses on the design of these experiments, based on an extensive suite of radiation-hydrodynamics simulations, and the interpretation of the predicted DD neutron signals. The simulations predict mean temperatures of 1 keV in the central hot spot with mean densities of 33 g/cc and mean pressures of 25 Gbar. A preliminary comparison with early experimental results looks promising with an average ion temperature of 1.06 ± 0.15 keV in the central hot spot estimated from the nTOF spectral width and measured neutron yield of 7.0 (±0.5) × 109 DD neutrons.

SPHERE: Irradiation of sphere-pac fuel of UPuO2−x containing 3% Americium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

D’Agata, E.; Hania, P.R.; McGinley, J.; Somers, J.; Sciolla, C.; Baas, P.J.; Kamer, S.; Okel, R.A.F.; Bobeldijk, I.; Delage, F.; Bejaoui, S.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • SPHERE is designed to check the behaviour of MADF sphere-pac concept. • MADF sphere-pac are compared with MADF pellet. • Swelling, helium release and restructuring behaviour will be the main output of the experiment. • An experiment to check sphere-pac MABB fuel behaviour is now under design. - Abstract: Americium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors of long-lived nuclides like 241 Am is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity of waste packages to be stored in a repository. The SPHERE irradiation experiment is the latest of a series of European experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS, MARIOS) performed in the HFR (High Flux Reactor). The SPHERE experiment is carried out in the framework of the 4-year project FAIRFUELS of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). During the past years of experimental works in the field of transmutation and tests of innovative nuclear fuels, the release or trapping of helium as well as helium induced fuel swelling have been shown to be the key issues for the design of Am-bearing targets. The main objective of the SPHERE experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of fuel containing 3% of americium and to compare the behaviour of sphere-pac fuel to pellet fuel, in particular the role of microstructure and temperature on fission gas release (mainly He) and on fuel swelling. The SPHERE experiment is being irradiated since September 2013 in the HFR in Petten (The Netherlands) and is expected to be terminated in spring 2015. The experiment has been designed to last up to 18 reactor cycles (corresponding to 18 months) but may reach its target earlier. This paper discusses the rationale and objective of the SPHERE experiment and provides a general description of its design

Calibration of a spectrometry multisphere system for neutron fields

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carelli, Jorge L.; Cruzate, Juan A.; Papadopulos, Susana B.; Gregori, Beatriz N.; Ciocci Brazzano, Ligia

2005-01-01

In this work it is presented the calibration of the neutrons spectrometric system of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) in the Institut de Protection et Sure te Nucleaires (Ipn), Labourite dadaist et de Recherche s en Dosimetric Extern e, Cadarache, France. The multisphere system is composed of 9 polyethylene spheres of high density, with a gaseous detector of 3 He and associate electronics. The matrix of energy response to the system neutrons was obtained applying the MCNPX code for the range of energies between thermal and 100 MeV with cross sections taken from library ENDF/B-VI. The neutron spectra of the multisphere system were obtained applying the deconvolution code LOUHI82. The relationship between the theoretical responses and the experiences obtained with the AmBe and 252 Cf sources are also presented in this work [es

Simulation of rotary-drum and repose tests for frictional spheres and rigid sphere clusters

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Walton, O.R.; Braun, R.L.

1993-11-01

The effects of rotation rate and interparticle friction on the bulk flow behavior in rotating horizontal cylinders are studied via particle-dynamic simulations. Assemblies of inelastic, frictional spheres and rigid sphere clusters are utilized, and rotation rates from quasistatic to centrifuging are examined. Flow phenomena explored include size segregation, avalanching, slumping and centrifuging. Simulated drum flows with two sizes of frictional spheres showed very rapid segregation of species perpendicular to the drum axis; however, simulations of up to 10 revolutions, utilizing periodic-boundary ends, did not exhibit the experimentally observed axial segregation into stripes. Angles of repose for uniform-sized spheres in slowly rotating cylinders varied from 13 to 31 degrees as the friction coefficient varied from 0.02 to 1.0. For simulated rotation rates higher than the threshold to obtain uniform flow conditions, the apparent angle of repose increases as the rotation rats increases, consistent with experiments. Also, simulations with rigid clusters of 4 spheres in a tetrahedral shape or 8 spheres in a cubical arrangement, demonstrate that particle shape strongly influences the repose angle. Simulations of cubical 8-sphere clusters, with a surface coefficient of friction of 0.1, produced apparent angles of repose exceeding 35 degrees, compared to 23 degrees for assemblies of single spheres interacting with the same force model parameters. Centrifuging flows at very high rotation rates exist as stationary beds moving exactly as the outer rotating wall. At somewhat slower speeds the granular bed remains in contact with the wall but exhibits surface sliding down the rising inner bed surface, moving a short distance on each revolution. At still slower speeds particles rain from the surface of the upper half of the rotating bed.

Higher-dimensional relativistic-fluid spheres

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Patel, L. K.; Ahmedabad, Gujarat Univ.

1997-01-01

They consider the hydrostatic equilibrium of relativistic-fluid spheres for a D-dimensional space-time. Three physically viable interior solutions of the Einstein field equations corresponding to perfect-fluid spheres in a D-dimensional space-time are obtained. When D = 4 they reduce to the Tolman IV solution, the Mehra solution and the Finch-Skea solution. The solutions are smoothly matched with the D-dimensional Schwarzschild exterior solution at the boundary r = a of the fluid sphere. Some physical features and other related details of the solutions are briefly discussed. A brief description of two other new solutions for higher-dimensional perfect-fluid spheres is also given

Experiment SPHERE status 2008

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shaulov, S.B.; Besshapov, S.P.; Kabanova, N.V.; Sysoeva, T.I.; Antonov, R.A.; Anyuhina, A.M.; Bronvech, E.A.; Chernov, D.V.; Galkin, V.I.; Tkaczyk, W.; Finger, M.; Sonsky, M.

2009-01-01

The expedition carried out in March, 2008 to Lake Baikal became an important stage in the development of the SPHERE experiment. During the expedition the SPHERE-2 installation was hoisted, for the first time, on a tethered balloon, APA, to a height of 700 m over the lake surface covered with ice and snow. A series of test measurements were made. Preliminary results of the data processing are presented. The next plan of the SPHERE experiment is to begin a set of statistics for constructing the CR spectrum in the energy range 10 16 -10 18 eV.

Experiment SPHERE status 2008

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shaulov, S.B., E-mail: shaul@sci.lebedev.r [P.N.Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 53, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation); Besshapov, S.P.; Kabanova, N.V.; Sysoeva, T.I. [P.N.Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 53, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation); Antonov, R.A.; Anyuhina, A.M.; Bronvech, E.A.; Chernov, D.V.; Galkin, V.I. [Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Lomonosov State University, Moscow 119992 (Russian Federation); Tkaczyk, W. [Department of Experimental Physics of University of Lodz (Poland); Finger, M. [Karlov University, Prague (Czech Republic); Sonsky, M. [COMPAS Consortium, Turnov (Czech Republic)

2009-12-15

The expedition carried out in March, 2008 to Lake Baikal became an important stage in the development of the SPHERE experiment. During the expedition the SPHERE-2 installation was hoisted, for the first time, on a tethered balloon, APA, to a height of 700 m over the lake surface covered with ice and snow. A series of test measurements were made. Preliminary results of the data processing are presented. The next plan of the SPHERE experiment is to begin a set of statistics for constructing the CR spectrum in the energy range 10{sup 16}-10{sup 18} eV.

A Powerful Public Sphere?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Fiig, Christina

The paper holds a critical discussion of the Habermasian model of the public sphere and proposes a revised model of a general public......The paper holds a critical discussion of the Habermasian model of the public sphere and proposes a revised model of a general public...

Design and validation of a photon insensitive multidetector neutron spectrometer based on Dysprosium activation foils

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gómez-Ros, J.M.; Bedogni, R.; Palermo, I.; Esposito, A.; Delgado, A.; Angelone, M.; Pillon, M.

2011-01-01

This communication describes a photon insensitive passive neutron spectrometer consisting of Dysprosium (Dy) activation foils located along three perpendicular axes within a single moderating polyethylene sphere. The Monte Carlo code MCNPX 2.6 was used to optimize the spatial arrangement of the detectors and to derive the spectrometer response matrix. Nearly isotropic response in terms of neutron fluence for energies up to 20 MeV was obtained by combining the readings of the detectors located at the same radius value. The spectrometer was calibrated using a previously characterized 14 MeV neutron beam produced in the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG). The overall uncertainty of the spectrometer response matrix at 14 MeV, assessed on the basis of this experiment, was ±3%.

BASACF, Integral Neutron Spectra Adjustment and Dosimetry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tichy, Milos

1996-01-01