Numerical and experimental results of the operational neutron dosemeter 'Saphydose-N'
Résumé
Since 1993, the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) has lead, in association with Electricité de France (EDF), a R&D study of a neutron personal electronic dosemeter. This dosemeter, called 'Saphydose-N', is manufactured by the SAPHYMO company. This paper presents first the optimisation of some detector components using Monte Carlo calculations, and second the test of the manufactured Saphydose-N under radiation following the IEC 1323 standard's recommendations for active personal neutron dosemeters. The measurements with the manufactured dosemeter were performed on the one hand at PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) in mono-energetic neutron fields and, on the other hand at IRSN in neutron fields generated by a thermal facility (SIGMA), radionuclide ISO sources and a realistic spectrum (CANEL/T400). The manufactured dosemeter Saphydose-N was also tested during measurement campaigns of the European programme EVIDOS ('Evaluation of Individual Dosimetry in Mixed Neutron and Photon Radiation Fields') at different nuclear workplaces. The study showed that Saphydose-N complies with the recommendations of standard IEC 1323 and can be used at any workplace with no previous knowledge of the neutron field characteristics. © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved.
Mots clés
radioisotope
article
controlled study
Europe
experimentation
light
mathematical analysis
Monte Carlo method
neutron dosimeter
neutron dosimetry
process optimization
radiation energy
radiation field
standardization
thermal analysis
workplace
Algorithms
Computer Simulation
Environmental Exposure
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Models
Statistical
Neutrons
Occupational Exposure
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Protection
Radiometry
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Technology Assessment
Biomedical
Transducers