A study on the optimization of processing parameters of boron-doped CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors for response to thermal neutrons

Abstract

The methodology for personnel monitoring of neutrons in the intermediate and fast energy range using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) is well established. This study presents the dosimetric response of boron-doped (carborane) CR-39 detector for the measurement of thermal neutrons. It includes optimization of etching process, minimum detection limit (MDL), and thermal neutron sensitivity. Duration of low frequency (100 Hz) and high frequency (3.5 kHz) for elevated temperature electrochemical etching was optimized as 4 h and 50 minutes respectively, and used for the response characteristic study. The measured thermal neutron sensitivity and MDL were 743 ± 13 tracks cm−2 mSv−1 and 0.02 mSv, respectively. This study is useful for thermal neutron monitoring in reactor, accelerator, and all other nuclear facility environment.

Keywords

• boron-doped cr-39
• solid-state nuclear track detector
• carborane
• electrochemical etching
• image analysis system
• neutron dosimetry
• thermal neutrons
• tracks