Enhanced albedo neutron dosimetry using multiple sensors

• Grant number: 24/18171-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: October 13, 2024
• End date: December 27, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Nuclear Engineering - Applications of Radioisotopes
• Principal Investigator: Linda Viola Ehlin Caldas
• Grantee: Linda Viola Ehlin Caldas
• Visiting researcher: Francesco D'Errico
• Visiting researcher institution: Università di Pisa, Italy
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/05982-0 - R&D&I in radiation metrology in the health area, AP.TEM

Abstract

Neutron dosimetry is essential for radiation protection, especially in environmentssuch as nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, and space missions, where neutronradiation is prevalent. The proposal presented here advances an innovative approach thatuses a combination of albedo dosimeters to enhance the response to fast neutrons,improving their ability to provide accurate estimates of personal equivalent doses. Albedoneutron dosimetry offers distinct advantages, including high sensitivity, ease of use, andcost-effectiveness. On the other hand, albedo neutron dosimetry has several limitations,such as energy dependence. Although it is sensitive to low-energy neutrons, its accuracydecreases for fast neutrons, requiring different calibration factors depending on theenergy spectrum of the neutron field.The proposed methodology will work with anydetector that operates in albedo mode, independently of the type of utilized material. Thestudy will include Monte Carlo simulations and experimental verifications usingappropriate phantoms and neutrron fields available IPEN: an AmBe neutron source andthe nuclear research reactor IEA-R1. (AU)