Sensitivity Study of PADC Track Detector with External Radiators

The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity and reliability of PADC as a neutron dosemeter suitable for large scale routine personnel monitor. A personal neutron dosemeter is being developed in our laboratory by using PADC as a detector and hydrogenated materials as proton converters for fast neutron detection. To increase the PADC response and sensitivity to thermal neutrons, boron converter was added to the dosemeter. Several dosemeters with these configurations were mounted on a water-filled phantom and exposed normal to: 241Am-Be, 241Am-Be softened with a 20 cm radius of polyethylene sphere moderator, 252Cf neutron spectra. The irradiated detectors were electrochemically etched and evaluated in order to determine their dose equivalent response in terms of H (10, α). The results obtained were compared to those obtained from Monte Carlo simulations using the MCNPX code in order to improve, the sensitivity of the PADC response. The detector configuration can be adapted to neutron spectra in different practical situations. It would be able to provide dose equivalent response in a large range of energies.