NF ISO 8529-1

<p>This document specifies the neutron reference radiation fields, in the energy range from thermal up to 20 MeV, for calibrating neutron-measuring devices used for radiation protection purposes and for determining their response as a function of neutron energy.</p> <p>This document is concerned only with the methods of producing and characterizing the neutron reference radiation fields. The procedures for applying these radiation fields for calibrations are described in References [1] and [2].</p> <p>The neutron reference radiation fields specified are the following:</p> <p>—    neutron fields from radionuclide sources, including neutron fields from sources in a moderator;</p> <p>—    neutron fields produced by nuclear reactions with charged particles from accelerators;</p> <p>—    neutron fields from reactors.</p> <p>In view of the methods of production and use of them, these neutron reference radiation fields are divided, for the purposes of this document, into the following three separate clauses:</p> <p>—    In Clause 4, radionuclide neutron sources with wide spectra are specified for the calibration of neutron-measuring devices. These sources should be used by laboratories engaged in the routine calibration of neutron-measuring devices, the particular design of which has already been type tested.</p> <p>—    In Clause 5, accelerator-produced monoenergetic neutrons and reactor-produced neutrons with wide or quasi monoenergetic spectra are specified for determining the response of neutron‑measuring devices as a function of neutron energy. Since these neutron reference radiation fields are produced at specialized and well-equipped laboratories, only the minimum of experimental detail is given.</p> <p>—    In Clause 6, thermal neutron fields are specified. These fields can be produced by moderated radionuclide sources, accelerators, or reactors.</p>