A new technique for beta attenuation studies in neutron activation foils using 4πß-γ coincidence system.
Foil activation method is an accurate method for neutron fluence rate measurements. In this, the inactive foils are activated and the induced activity is then measured and correlated to the neutron fluence rate through the cross section for the reaction, number of atoms and time of irradiation. To evaluate this induced activity, gamma-ray spectrometers are generally used. If the neutron fluence rate is very low of the order of 1-10(3) n cm(-2) s(-1), a 4πβ flow-type proportional counter with 100 % efficiency is the most suitable detector for measuring the low induced activity. But this method poses a serious problem of beta self-attenuation in the foils. A detailed investigation of the beta attenuation of different activation foils such as gold, manganese, cobalt, magnesium and aluminium by empirical equations as well as with a new experimental method using 4πβ-γ coincidence counter and 4πβ flow-type proportional counter is discussed in this paper.
Sathian
Deepa
D
Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400094, India. deepavsathian@gmail.com
Chougaonkar
M P
MP
Mayya
Y S
YS
D001610:Beta Particles; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation*
D008670:Metals