ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 1 March 2012
Page Count: 5

Development of Neutron Measurement in Intense Gamma Field Using New Type of Nuclear Emulsion

Kawarabayashi, J.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Ishihara, K.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Takagi, K.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Tomita, H.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Iguchi, T.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Naka, T.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Morishima, K.
Nagoya Univ., Nagoya, Aichi

Maeda, S.
Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Oarai-machi, Ibaragi

(Received 19 May 2011; accepted 21 November 2011)

Abstract

To precisely measure the neutron emissions from a spent fuel assembly of a fast breeder reactor, we formed nuclear emulsions based on a non-sensitized Oscillation Project with Emulsion tRacking Apparatus (OPERA) film with AgBr grain sizes of 60, 90, and 160 nm. The efficiency for ²⁵²Cf neutron detection of the new emulsion was calculated to be 0.7 × 10⁻⁴, which corresponded to an energy range from 0.3 to 2 MeV and was consistent with a preliminary estimate based on experimental results. The sensitivity of the new emulsion was also experimentally estimated by irradiating with 565 keV and 14 MeV neutrons. The emulsion with an AgBr grain size of 60 nm had the lowest sensitivity among the above three emulsions but was still sensitive enough to detect protons. Furthermore, the experimental data suggested that there was a threshold linear energy transfer of 15 keV/μm for the new emulsion, below which no silver clusters developed. Further development of nuclear emulsion with an AgBr grain size of a few tens of nanometers will be the next stage of the present study.

Keywords:
nuclear emulsion, gamma background, neutron detector

Paper ID: JAI104007
DOI: 10.1520/JAI104007
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