STUDY OF A MODERATOR TYPE ELECTRONIC NEUTRON DOSIMETER FOR PERSONAL DOSIMETRY

A moderator type neutron dosemeter is described and its response to 'r ealistic neutron fields' and fission sources is investigated, for irra diations with and without a poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom. C hanges in response induced by the use of the moderator are observed th roughout the experiments, with respect to the energy distribution of t he neutron fluence and the dose equivalent. The experimental dosemeter shows an over-response to thermal neutrons and for on phantom irradia tions, and a low sensitivity for fast neutrons. Compared to a classica l neutron dosemeter based on silicon diodes (without moderator), the a ctual design shows, for the same active area of the silicon detector, a sensitivity (counts per mSv) from 10 to 40 times higher for 'realist ic neutron fields'.