Improved multisphere spectrometer system

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:7161776

Shonka, J J; Schwahn, S O; Rogers, P E; Misko, C J

Shonka Research Associated undertook a research program to improve the capabilities and ease of use of the Bonner sphere spectrometer system. Two key elements formed the heart of this research: replacement of the lithium iodide (LiI(Eu)) detector normally used in the spectrometer system with a spherical boron triflouride (BF{sub 3}) proportional counter and exploitation of an optimized set of nested polyethylene spheres, including boron-loaded spherical shells. Use of a spherical BF{sub 3} detector offers many advantages over the LiI(Eu) crystal. The BF{sub 3} detectors are insensitive to gamma radiation. Lack of gamma sensitivity permits acquiring data with simple electronics and allows determination of neutron spectra and dose in lower neutron-to-gamma ratio fields, including background terrestrial radiation fields. The importance of the lack of gamma sensitivity is underscored by the pending changes in neutron quality factors. The nearly perfect spherical symmetry offers advantages for BF{sub 3} over LiI(Eu) detectors as well. A light pipe, which perturbs measurements, is not needed. The bare BF{sub 3} detector response is not affected by the moderation of neutrons as is the case of the organic light pipe used with LiI(Eu). The spherical symmetry permits the use of smaller diameter shells, which add to the number of response functions.

• OSTI ID: 7161776
• Report Number(s): CONF-911107--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 63
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440103* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANISOTROPY
B CODES
BACKGROUND RADIATION
BONNER SPHERE SPECTROMETERS
BORON COMPOUNDS
BORON FLUORIDES
CALIFORNIUM 252
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
COMPUTER CODES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EUROPIUM
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HEAVY WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM IODIDES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MODERATORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEUTRON SPECTRA
NEUTRON SPECTROMETERS
NUCLEI
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE EARTHS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SENSITIVITY
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES