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24 May 2012

Answer to Question #353 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Instrumentation and Measurements — Personnel Monitoring (PM)

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

What is the availability of self-reading pocket dosimeters for epithermal and or thermal neutron radiation?

Two kinds of devices qualify as "pocket dosimeters": electronic pocket dosimeters (EPDs) and bubble detectors. There are a number of EPDs on the market that are sensitive to neutrons, made by Aloka, Siemens, Overhoff, and ESM and there are no doubt other companies. Those using the S-PIN detector are sensitive only to fast neutrons, although adding an n-alpha converter (containing boron-10 or lithium-6) will make them sensitive to thermal and epithermal neutrons. Specifically, Aloka PDM-303 is sensitive from thermal energies to ~5 MeV. Other manufacturers may have similar products as well. Bubble detectors are made by Apfel Enterprises (USA) and Bubble Technology Industries (Canada). They have both neutron detectors with specific energy thresholds and those sensitive to thermal and epithermal neutrons. Vashek Vylet, Ph.D. Duke University

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