APPLICATION OF A GERMANIUM DETECTOR AS A LOW FLUX NEUTRON MONITOR

[[abstract]]©1991 Elsevier - A feasibility study of using a germanium detector as a neutron monitor is described. A p-type hyperpure germanium detector with 10% relative efficiency is irradiated by neutrons with various energies. The p-type semiconducting detector emits prompt photopeaks at 596 and 691 keV from the Ge(n, gamma) and Ge(n, n' gamma) reactions, respectively. The count rate of these index photopeaks is used to monitor the neutron dose rate equivalent, resulting in a detection range of 0.08-120-mu-Sv/h for thermal and epithermal neutrons and 0.8-75-mu-Sv/h for fast neutrons. Advantages and disadvantages of using the HPGe detector as a neutron monitor while serving primarily as a gamma ray spectrometer in a mixed neutron/gamma field are discussed.[[department]]醫環