Standard Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and Average Energy from&#8201;<sup>3</sup >H&#40;d,n&#41;<sup> 4</sup>He Neutron Generators by Radioactivation Techniques

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the measurement of fast-neutron fluence rates with threshold detectors.
FIG. 1 Variation of 0 Degree 3H(d,n)4He Differential Cross Section with Incident Deuteron Energy (1)
FIG. 2 Variation of 0 Degree 3H(d,n)4He Differential Cross Section with Incident Deuteron Energy (1)  
5.2 Refer to Test Method E265 for a general discussion of the measurement of fast-neutron fluence rates by radioactivation of sulfur-32.  
5.3 Reactions used for the activity measurements can be chosen to provide a convenient means for determining the absolute fluence rates of 14-MeV neutrons obtained with 3H(d,n)4He neutron generators over a range of irradiation times from seconds to approximately 100 days. High purity threshold sensors referenced in this test method are readily available.  
5.4 The neutron-energy spectrum must be known in order to measure fast-neutron fluence using a single threshold detector. Neutrons produced by bombarding a tritiated target with deuterons are commonly referred to as 14-MeV neutrons; however, they can have a range of energies depending on: (1) the angle of neutron emission with respect to the deuteron beam, (2) the kinetic energy of the deuterons, and (3) the target thickness. In most available neutron generators of the Cockroft-Walton type, a thick target is used to obtain high-neutron yields. As deuterons penetrate through the surface and move into the bulk of the thick target, they lose energy, and interactions occurring deeper within the target produce neutrons with correspondingly lower energy.  
5.5 Wide variations in neutron energy are not generally encountered in commercially available neutron generators of the Cockroft-Walton type. Figs. 1 and 2 (1)6 show the variation of the zero degree 3H(d,n)4He neutron production cross section with energy, and clearly indicate that maximum neutron yield is obtained with deuterons having energies near the 107 keV resonance. Since most generators are d...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a general procedure for the measurement of the fast-neutron fluence rate produced by neutron generators utilizing the 3H(d,n) 4He reaction. Neutrons so produced are usually referred to as 14-MeV neutrons, but range in energy depending on a number of factors. This test method does not adequately cover fusion sources where the velocity of the plasma may be an important consideration.  
1.2 This test method uses threshold activation reactions to determine the average energy of the neutrons and the neutron fluence at that energy. At least three activities, chosen from an appropriate set of dosimetry reactions, are required to characterize the average energy and fluence. The required activities are typically measured by gamma ray spectroscopy.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
31-Dec-2013
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ASTM E496-14e1 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and Average Energy from&#8201;<sup>3</sup >H&#40;d,n&#41;<sup> 4</sup>He Neutron Generators by Radioactivation Techniques
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Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: E496 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Neutron Fluence and Average Energy
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from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by Radioactivation
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Techniques
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E496; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—The figures were updated editorially in February 2014.
1. Scope E261Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence, Fluence
Rate, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
1.1 This test method covers a general procedure for the
E265Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates and Fast-
measurement of the fast-neutron fluence rate produced by
3 4 Neutron Fluences by Radioactivation of Sulfur-32
neutron generators utilizing the H(d,n) He reaction. Neutrons
E720Guide for Selection and Use of Neutron Sensors for
so produced are usually referred to as 14-MeV neutrons, but
Determining Neutron Spectra Employed in Radiation-
range in energy depending on a number of factors. This test
Hardness Testing of Electronics
method does not adequately cover fusion sources where the
2.2 International Commission on Radiation Units and Mea-
velocity of the plasma may be an important consideration.
3
surements (ICRU) Reports:
1.2 This test method uses threshold activation reactions to
ICRU Report 13Neutron Fluence, Neutron Spectra and
determine the average energy of the neutrons and the neutron
Kerma
fluence at that energy.At least three activities, chosen from an
ICRU Report 26 Neutron Dosimetry for Biology and
appropriate set of dosimetry reactions, are required to charac-
Medicine
terize the average energy and fluence. The required activities 4
2.3 ISO Standard:
are typically measured by gamma ray spectroscopy.
Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement
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1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.4 NIST Document:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
TechnicalNote1297GuidelinesforEvaluatingandExpress-
standard.
ing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology E170.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This test method describes the determination of the
2. Referenced Documents
average neutron energy and fluence by use of three activities
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2.1 ASTM Standards: from a select list of dosimetry reactions. Three dosimetry
E170Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and reactionsarechosenbasedonanumberoffactorsincludingthe
Dosimetry intensity of the neutron field, the reaction half-lives, the slope
E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of of the dosimetry reaction cross section near 14-MeV, and the
Radionuclides minimum time between sensor irradiation and the gamma
counting. The activities from these selected reactions are
measured. Two of the activities are used, in conjunction with
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear
the nuclear data for the dosimetry reactions, to determine the
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E10.07 on Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Effects on Materials and Devices.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally
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approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E496–09. DOI: Available from the International Commission on Radiation Units, 7910
10.1520/E0496-14E01. Woodmont Ave., Washington, DC 20014.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
the ASTM website. Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E496 − 14
average neutron energy. The third activity is used, along with 5.4 Theneutron-energyspectrummustbeknowninorderto
theneutronenergyandnucleardatafortheselectedreaction,to measure fast-neutron fluence using a single threshold detector.
determ
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