THE SEMICONDUCTOR GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETER AS A NEUTRON-FLUX METER

A new method for measuring the flux densities of thermal and fast neut rons is described. The method is based on measuring the count rates of capture gamma rays produced by neutrons in suitable converters with a high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer. Two converters were used in t he measurements: a converter for thermal neutrons and a converter for fast neutrons. By performing the measurements with the converter for f ast neutrons with a cadmium shield, which absorbs thermal neutrons, an d without it, it is possible to assess the reliability of the measurem ents, In the calculation of the flux densities from the count rates a neutron spectrum in air far from a fission source was assumed. The sen sitivity of one hour measurements is approximately twice the natural. background for thermal and for fast neutrons.