Verification of design calculations of a PGNAA setup using nuclear track detectors

摘要

A rectangular moderator assembly has been designed for the PGNAA setup at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). The design calculations of the rectangular moderator, which were obtained through Monte Carlo simulation, have been verified experimentally through thermal neutron yield measurement using CR-39 nuclear track detectors (NTDs). These measurements were carried out at the KFUPM 350 keV accelerator using 2.8 MeV pulsed neutron beam from D(d, n) reaction. The thermal neutron yield was measured inside the sample volume of the rectangular moderator by two NTDs fixed at back and front end of the sample cavity. The good agreement between the experimental results and the results of the calculations shows useful application of NTDs in verification of design calculations of a PGNAA setup. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 7]