The Radiological Footprint of a Be-based Neutron Source

Abstract: The radiological footprint of a Be-based neutron source embedded within the Aquarium of the Source-Testing Facility (STF) at the Division of Nuclear Physics at Lund University will soon be carefully mapped. As a precursor to this measurement program, neutron and gamma-ray energy spectra at beamport apertures have been measured using 3He and LaBr3(Ce) (cerium-activated lanthanum bromide) detectors. The measured energy spectra and rates will provide crucial benchmarks for ongoing efforts to simulate the neutron and gamma-ray fields associated with the source. The ultimate goal of the project is the development of a software toolkit which precisely replicates the radiological environment provided by the source. This toolkit will greatly facilitate the interpretation of detector-development and shielding studies performed at the STF.