Extended use of alanine irradiated in experimental reactor for combined gamma- and neutron-dose assessment by ESR spectroscopy and thermal neutron fluence assessment by measurement of (14)C by LSC.

Gamma- and neutron doses in an experimental reactor were measured using alanine/electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. The absorbed dose in alanine was decomposed into contributions caused by gamma and neutron radiation using neutron kerma factors. To overcome a low sensitivity of the alanine/ESR response to thermal neutrons, a novel method has been proposed for the assessment of a thermal neutron flux using the (14)N(n,p) (14)C reaction on nitrogen present in alanine and subsequent measurement of (14)C by liquid scintillation counting (LSC).

Comparison of neutron spectrum measurement methods used for the epithermal beam of the LVR-15 research reactor.

The LVR-15 research reactor's horizontal channel with its epithermal neutron beam is used mainly for boron neutron capture therapy. Neutrons from the reactor core pass through a special filter before the collimator and the beam outlet. Neutron fluence and spectrum are the basic characteristics of an epithermal neutron beam. Three methods used to measure the beam's neutron spectrum are described: the activation method, a Bonner sphere spectrometer with gold activation detectors and a Bonner sphere spectrometer with LiI(Eu) scintillation detector. Examples of results are compared and discussed.

Irradiation tests of ITER candidate Hall sensors using two types of neutron spectra.

We report on irradiation tests of InSb based Hall sensors at two irradiation facilities with two distinct types of neutron spectra. One was a fission reactor neutron spectrum with a significant presence of thermal neutrons, while another one was purely fast neutron field. Total neutron fluence of the order of 10(16) cm(-2) was accumulated in both cases, leading to significant drop of Hall sensor sensitivity in case of fission reactor spectrum, while stable performance was observed at purely fast neutron spectrum. This finding suggests that performance of this particular type of Hall sensors is governed dominantly by transmutation. Additionally, it further stresses the need to test ITER candidate Hall sensors under neutron flux with ITER relevant spectrum.

Neutron fluence depth profiles in water phantom on epithermal beam of LVR-15 research reactor.

Horizontal channel with epithermal neutron beam at the LVR-15 research reactor is used mainly for boron neutron capture therapy. Neutron fluence depth profiles in a water phantom characterise beam properties. The neutron fluence (approximated by reaction rates) depth profiles were measured with six different types of activation detectors. The profiles were determined for thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons.