You need JavaScript to view this

Use of the helium-3 proportional counter for neutron spectrometry; Utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helium 3 pour la spectrometrie des neutrons

Abstract

Up to now, two methods have been mainly used for neutron spectrometry near nuclear installations: - photographic emulsion spectrometry - the so-called, 'multisphere' technique spectrometry. The first method, which is fairly difficult to apply, has a threshold energy of about 500 keV; this is a big disadvantage for an apparatus which has to be used for spectrometry around nuclear installations where the neutron radiation is very much degraded energetically. The second method does not suffer from this disadvantage but the results which it yields are only approximate. In order to extend the energy range of the neutron spectra studied with sufficient accuracy the use of a helium-3 proportional counter has been considered. This report presents the principles of operation of the helium-3 spectrometer, and the calculation methods which make it possible to take into account the two main effects tending to deform the spectra obtained: - energy absorption by the walls of the counter, - energy loss of the incident neutrons due to elastic collisions with helium-3 nuclei. As an example of the application, the shape of the neutron spectrum emitted by a polonium-lithium source is given; the results obtained are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. (authors) [French] Jusqu'ici  More>>
Authors:
Vialettes, H; Le Thanh, P [1] 
  1. Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires
Publication Date:
Jul 01, 1967
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
CEA-R-3310
Resource Relation:
Other Information: 19 refs
Subject:
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; ELASTIC SCATTERING; ENERGY ABSORPTION; ENERGY LOSSES; HE-3 COUNTERS; MANUALS; NEUTRON DETECTION; NEUTRON FLUENCE; NEUTRON SPECTROMETERS; NEUTRONS; NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OSTI ID:
20726946
Research Organizations:
CEA Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France)
Country of Origin:
France
Language:
French
Other Identifying Numbers:
TRN: FR06R3310038391
Availability:
Available from INIS in electronic form
Submitting Site:
FRN
Size:
[57] pages
Announcement Date:
May 30, 2006

Citation Formats

Vialettes, H, and Le Thanh, P. Use of the helium-3 proportional counter for neutron spectrometry; Utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helium 3 pour la spectrometrie des neutrons. France: N. p., 1967. Web.
Vialettes, H, & Le Thanh, P. Use of the helium-3 proportional counter for neutron spectrometry; Utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helium 3 pour la spectrometrie des neutrons. France.
Vialettes, H, and Le Thanh, P. 1967. "Use of the helium-3 proportional counter for neutron spectrometry; Utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helium 3 pour la spectrometrie des neutrons." France.
@misc{etde_20726946,
title = {Use of the helium-3 proportional counter for neutron spectrometry; Utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helium 3 pour la spectrometrie des neutrons}
author = {Vialettes, H, and Le Thanh, P}
abstractNote = {Up to now, two methods have been mainly used for neutron spectrometry near nuclear installations: - photographic emulsion spectrometry - the so-called, 'multisphere' technique spectrometry. The first method, which is fairly difficult to apply, has a threshold energy of about 500 keV; this is a big disadvantage for an apparatus which has to be used for spectrometry around nuclear installations where the neutron radiation is very much degraded energetically. The second method does not suffer from this disadvantage but the results which it yields are only approximate. In order to extend the energy range of the neutron spectra studied with sufficient accuracy the use of a helium-3 proportional counter has been considered. This report presents the principles of operation of the helium-3 spectrometer, and the calculation methods which make it possible to take into account the two main effects tending to deform the spectra obtained: - energy absorption by the walls of the counter, - energy loss of the incident neutrons due to elastic collisions with helium-3 nuclei. As an example of the application, the shape of the neutron spectrum emitted by a polonium-lithium source is given; the results obtained are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. (authors) [French] Jusqu'ici deux methodes ont ete utilisees principalement pour la spectrometrie des neutrons autour des installations nucleaires: - la spectrometrie par emulsions photographiques - la spectrometrie par la technique dite des multispheres. La premiere methode, d'un emploi assez delicat presente un seuil en energie d'environ 500 keV qui est un obstacle serieux a la spectrometrie autour des installations nucleaires ou le rayonnement neutronique est tres degrade en energie. La deuxieme methode ne presente pas cet inconvenient mais les resultats qu'elle permet d'obtenir ne sont qu'approches. Pour etendre la gamme d'energie des spectres de neutrons etudies avec une precision suffisante, l'utilisation du compteur proportionnel a helijum 3 a e,te envisagee. Ce rapport presente les principes d'utilisation du spectrometre a helium 3, et les methodes de calcul qui permettent de tenir compte des deux effets principaux qui tendent a deformer le spectre obtenus: - l'absorption d'energie par les parois du compteur - la perte d'energie des neutrons incidents par chocs elastiques sur les noyaux d'helium 3. A titre d'application on a trace le spectre des neutrons emis par une source de polonium-lithium; les resultats obtenus sont en excellent accord avec les predictions theoriques. (auteurs)}
place = {France}
year = {1967}
month = {Jul}
}