MTS-6 detectors calibration by using ²³⁹Pu-Be neutron source

• Authors: Małgorzata Wrzesień , Łukasz Albiniak , Hiba Al-Hameed

Abstracts

EN

Background Thermoluminescent detectors, type MTS-6, containing isotope ⁶Li (lithium) are sensitive in the range of thermal neutron energy; the ²³⁹Pu-Be (plutonium-and-beryllium) source emits neutrons in the energy range from 1 to 11 MeV. These seemingly contradictory elements may be combined by using the paraffin moderator, a determined density of thermal neutrons in the paraffin block and a conversion coefficient neutron flux to kerma, not forgetting the simultaneous registration of the photon radiation inseparable from the companion neutron radiation. The main aim of this work is to present the idea of calibration of thermoluminescent detectors that consist of a ⁶Li isotope, by using ²³⁹Pu-Be neutron radiation source. Material and Methods In this work, MTS-6 and MTS-7 thermoluminescent detectors and a plutonium-and-beryllium (²³⁹Pu-Be) neutron source were used. Paraffin wax fills the block, acting as a moderator. The calibration idea was based on the determination of dose equivalent rate based on the average kerma rate calculated taking into account the empirically determined function describing the density of thermal neutron flux in the paraffin block and a conversion coefficient neutron flux to kerma. Results The calculated value of the thermal neutron flux density was 1817.5 neutrons/cm²/s and the average value of kerma rate determined on this basis amounted to 244 μGy/h, and the dose equivalent rate 610 μSv/h. The calculated value allowed for the assessment of the length of time of exposure of the detectors directly in the paraffin block. Conclusions The calibration coefficient for the used batch of detectors is (6.80±0.42)×10⁻⁷ Sv/impulse. Med Pr 2017;68(6):705–710

Keywords

EN

thermoluminescence; calibration; thermoluminescent detectors; neutron; neutron source; MTS

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: Medycyna Pracy
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 705-710

Dates

published

2017

Contributors

author

Małgorzata Wrzesień

• University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, Department of Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety)

author

Łukasz Albiniak

• University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, Department of Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety)

author

Hiba Al-Hameed

• University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, Department of Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/mp.5893.00650

Biblioteka Nauki

2164008