Fast neutron spectrometer based on CR-39 proton sensitive track detector

Abstract

A home-made proton-sensitive CR-39 muclear track detector has been developed in our institute. Using this detector and the n-p scattering process the performance of a fast neutron spectrometer has been studied by applying two different methods. These methods are based on track density determinations by using varying radiator thicknesses or varying etching periods, respectively. A computer programme has been developed for calculating the neutron sensitivity as a function of neutron energy for the case of the two methods studied. In these calculations the conditions for the proton track development determined by the etch- track kinetics have been taken into consideration.

For both methods we have carried out investigations to measure the neutron sensitivities in terms of etch-proton tracks/neutron for 3.3 and 14.7 MeV neutrons. The sensitivities have been studied as a function of both the radiator thickness and the layer thickness removal.