Summary

A well established method to calibrate ²⁵²Cf neutron sources makes use of a manganese bath technique based on the measurement of the induced ⁵⁶Mn-β,γ-radioactivity. The knowledge of the impurities present in the bath is required because they may affect the results of the source strength measurements by their neutron absorption properties. Some specific impurities which may introduce a significant correction must be quantified and selective methods have to be used for their determination. The determination of two of these specific impurities, having a high capture cross section for neutrons, the boron and the cadmium, is described; it is based on spectrophotometry with curcumin (for B) and on pulse polarography (for Cd). Analytical results obtained on baths prepared in different laboratories are given. Errors are ±4–7% for B and ±3% for Cd.