Using response characteristics of neutron measurement devices to improve neutron dosimetry

摘要

Recent administrative restrictions on personnel dose equivalent have resulted in increased pressure to more accurately report the neutron component without the traditional conservative added factors which sometimes inflate the reported values. Improvements include a new albedo neutron dosimeter which is capable of some limited energy discrimination. Also, additional emphasis has been placed on improving field measurements using traditional survey instrumentation and specialized spectroscopic techniques such as tissue equivalent proportional counters, Bonner spheres, and a modified 9 inches to 3 inches ratio technique. Improvements in these techniques along with a better understanding of the response of the TLD system have resulted in substantial reduction in the reported dose equivalent by improving the accuracy of the dosimeter system. The response characteristics of the TLD system and other instrumentation are obtained through modeling with the Monte Carlo code MCNP-4A. Neutron fields in work-areas are initially characterized with Bonner spheres. Routine updates are accomplished using a modified 9 inches to 3 inches ratio technique. These measurements are then used to predict the response of the TLD system when worn in that area. Correction curves are derived for the principal spectrum with various fractions of moderated or reflected neutrons. Work assignments are tracked through a database systems which is used to determine the principal spectrum that results in the neutron dose equivalent. The energy discrimination capability of the TLD system is used with the correction curve to derive an average correction appropriate to the readings of the dosimeter thus giving an energy corrected dose equivalent for the individual.