A Reference 252Cf Source Set For Neutron Coincidence And Multiplicity Counting Applications

Year
1999
Author(s)
J.E. Stewart - Los Alarnos National Laboratory
C. D. Rael - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lou Carrillo - Los Alamos National Laboratory
N. Ensslin - Los Alamos National Laboratory
M. S. Krick - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Abstract
A set of reference 252Cf Sources has been obtained for neutron coincidence and multiplicity counting applications. The sources are needed to obtain reference parameters, such as detection efficiency and dead time, required to characterize thermal neutron counters. Twelve of the sources are intended for routine use and have a wide range of neutron yields (~1000 neutrons/s to ~2,000,000 neutrons/s in july 1999). Each of these sources is about a factor of 2 stronger than the next weakest sources. Two additional sources were calibrated absolutely at the National Institute of Science and Technology and have neutron yields known to 1.4% (1 standard deviation). The other twelve sources have been cross-calibrated with one of the sources that were absolutely calibrated.