Spectrometry and dosimetry of a neutron source

Using the Monte Carlo methods, the spectrum, dose equivalent and ambient dose equivalent of a ²³⁹PuBe have been determined at several distances. The spectrum and both doses were determined to 100 cm with a Bonner sphere spectrometer. These quantities were obtained by unfolding the spectrometer count rates using artificial neural networks. The dose equivalent was measured with the area neutron dosemeter Eberline model NRD, to 100, 200 and 300 cm. All the measurements were carried out in an open space to avoid the room-return. With these results, it was found that this source has a yield of 8.41E(6) n/s.