Threshold detector measurements with sealed tube DT neutron generators

Abstract

As part of a fast neutron therapy project, neutron fields from DT generators have been investigated using reactions in ten threshold detectors: ⁵⁸Ni(n, 2n), ¹⁹F(n, 2n), ⁶³Cu(n, 2n), ²⁷Al(n, alpha ), ⁵⁶Fe(n, p), ²⁷Al(n, p), ⁵⁸Ni(n, p), ²³²Th(n, f), ²³⁸U(n, f) and ²³⁷Np(n, f). Irradiation and counting experiments were made in good geometry to confirm the activation parameters. Spectra deduced from threshold detector measurements in simulated therapy conditions were compared with those obtained using a proton recoil spectrometer.