Optimization of moderator assembly for neutron flux measurement: experimental and theoretical approaches

A moderator of paraffin wax assembly has been demonstrated where its thickness can be optimized to thermalize fast neutrons. The assembly is used for measuring fast neutron flux of a neutron probe at different neutron energies, using BF 3 ( Φ 1″ and 2″) and 3 He( Φ 0.5″) neutron detectors. The paraf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nuclear science and techniques Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 64 - 69
Main Authors:	Waheed, Abdul, Ali, Nawab, Baloch, Muzahir A., Qureshi, Aziz A., Munem, Eid A., Rajput, Muhammad Usman, Jamal, Tauseef, Muhammad, Wazir
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Singapore Springer Singapore 01-05-2017 Radiation Physics Laboratory, Physics Department,COMSATS Institute of Information Technology(CIIT),Islamabad, Pakistan%Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology(PINSTECH), Islamabad 45650, Pakistan%Department of Physics, College of Science, Majmaah University, Al-Zulfi, Saudi Arabia%School of Physics, University Science Malaysia,11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia%DCIS, Pakistan Institute Engineering and Applied Sciences(PLEAS), Islamabad 45650, Pakistan%Health Physics Division(HPD), Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology(PINSTECH), Islamabad 45650,Pakistan
Subjects:	Energy Hadrons Heavy Ions Nuclear Energy Nuclear Physics Neutron flux BF & Am–Be and Cf neutron sources He detectors Monte Carlo simulation Paraffin wax Am-Be and 252Cf neutron sources BF3 & 3He detectors
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Summary:	A moderator of paraffin wax assembly has been demonstrated where its thickness can be optimized to thermalize fast neutrons. The assembly is used for measuring fast neutron flux of a neutron probe at different neutron energies, using BF 3 ( Φ 1″ and 2″) and 3 He( Φ 0.5″) neutron detectors. The paraffin wax thickness was optimized at 6 cm for the neutron probe which contains an Am–Be neutron source. The experimental data are compared with Monte Carlo simulation results using MCNP5 version 1.4. Neutron flux comparison and neutron activation techniques are used for measuring neutron flux of the neutron probe to validate the optimum paraffin moderator thickness in the assembly. The neutron fluxes are measured at (1.17 ± 0.09) × 10 5 and (1.19 ± 0.1) × 10 5 n/s, being in agreement with the simulated values. The moderator assembly can easily be utilized for essential requirements of neutron flux measurements.
ISSN:	1001-8042 2210-3147
DOI:	10.1007/s41365-017-0213-z