title: Computation of cross sections and dose conversion factors for criticality accident dosimetry.
abstract: In the application of criticality accident dosemeters the cross sections and fluence-to-dose conversion factors have to be computed. The cross section and fluence-to-dose conversion factor for the thermal and epi-thermal contributions to neutron dose are well documented; for higher energy regions (>100 keV) these depend on the spectrum assumed. Fluence is determined using threshold detectors. The cross sections require the folding of an expected spectrum with the reaction cross sections. The fluence-to-dose conversion factors also require a similar computation. The true and effective thresholds are used to include the information on the expected spectrum. The spectra can either be taken from compendia or measured at the facility at which the exposures are to be expected. The cross sections can be taken from data computations or analytic representations and the fluence-to-dose conversion factors are determined by various standards making bodies. The problem remaining is the method of computation. The purpose of this paper is to compare two methods for computing these factors: analytic and Monte Carlo.
authors.affiliation: Los Alamos National Laboratory, G761, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA. devine_r@lanl.gov
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Devine
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001822:Body Burden; D002138:Calibration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009502:Neutrons; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012015:Reference Standards; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity