ASTM E2059-20

Standard Practice for Application and Analysis of Nuclear Research Emulsions for Fast Neutron Dosimetry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Integral Mode Dosimetry—As shown in 3.2, two different integral relationships can be established using proton-recoil emulsion data. These two integral reactions can be obtained with roughly an order of magnitude reduction in scanning effort. Consequently, this integral mode is an important complementary alternative to the customary differential mode of NRE spectrometry. The integral mode can be applied over extended spatial regions, for example, perhaps up to as many as ten in-situ locations can be covered for the same scanning effort that is expended for a single differential measurement. Hence the integral mode is especially advantageous for dosimetry applications which require extensive spatial mapping, such as exist in Light Water Reactor-Pressure Vessel (LWR-PV) benchmark fields (see Test Method E1005). In low power benchmark fields, NRE can be used as integral dosimeters in a manner similar to RM, solid state track recorders (SSTR) and helium accumulation monitors (HAFM) neutron dosimeters (see Test Methods E854 and E910). In addition to spatial mapping advantages of these other dosimetry methods, NRE offer fine spatial resolution and can therefore be used in-situ for fine structure measurements. In integral mode scanning, both absolute reaction rates, that is I(ET) and J(Emin), are determined simultaneously. Separate software codes need to be used to permit operation of a computer based interactive system in the integral mode (see Section 9). It should be noted that the integrals I(ET) and J(Emin) possess different units, namely proton-recoil tracks/MeV per hydrogen atom and proton-recoil tracks per hydrogen atom, respectively.  
4.2 Applicability for Spectral Adjustment Codes—In the integral mode, NRE provide absolute integral reaction rates that can be used in neutron spectrum least squares adjustment codes (see Guide E944). In the past, such adjustment codes could not utilize NRE integral reaction rates because of the non-existence of NRE data. NRE in...
SCOPE
1.1 Nuclear Research Emulsions (NRE) have a long and illustrious history of applications in the physical sciences, earth sciences and biological sciences (1, 2)2. In the physical sciences, NRE experiments have led to many fundamental discoveries in such diverse disciplines as nuclear physics, cosmic ray physics and high energy physics. In the applied physical sciences, NRE have been used in neutron physics experiments in both fission and fusion reactor environments (3-6). Numerous NRE neutron experiments can be found in other applied disciplines, such as nuclear engineering, environmental monitoring and health physics. Given the breadth of NRE applications, there exist many textbooks and handbooks that provide considerable detail on the techniques used in the NRE method (1-4, 6). As a consequence, this practice will be restricted to the application of the NRE method for neutron measurements in reactor physics and nuclear engineering with particular emphasis on neutron dosimetry in benchmark fields (see Matrix E706).  
1.2 NRE are passive detectors and provide time integrated reaction rates. As a consequence, NRE provide fluence measurements without the need for time-dependent corrections, such as arise with radiometric (RM) dosimeters (see Test Method E1005). NRE provide permanent records, so that optical microscopy observations can be carried out any time after exposure. If necessary, NRE measurements can be repeated at any time to examine questionable data or to obtain refined results.  
1.3 Since NRE measurements are conducted with optical microscopes, high spatial resolution is afforded for fine structure experiments. The attribute of high spatial resolution can also be used to determine information on the angular anisotropy of the in-situ neutron field (4, 5, 7). It is not possible for active detectors to provide such data because of in-situ perturbations and finite-size effects (see Section 11).  
1.4 The existe...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2020
• ICS: 17.240 - Radiation measurements
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.05 - Nuclear Radiation Metrology

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2059 − 20
Standard Practice for
Application and Analysis of Nuclear Research Emulsions for
1
Fast Neutron Dosimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2059; 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. Scope ropy of the in-situ neutron field (4, 5, 7). It is not possible for
active detectors to provide such data because of in-situ
1.1 Nuclear Research Emulsions (NRE) have a long and
perturbations and finite-size effects (see Section 11).
illustrioushistoryofapplicationsinthephysicalsciences,earth
2
sciences and biological sciences (1, 2) . In the physical
1.4 The existence of hydrogen as a major constituent of
sciences, NRE experiments have led to many fundamental NRE affords neutron detection through neutron scattering on
discoveries in such diverse disciplines as nuclear physics,
hydrogen, that is, the well known (n,p) reaction. NRE mea-
cosmic ray physics and high energy physics. In the applied surements in low power reactor environments have been
physical sciences, NRE have been used in neutron physics
predominantly based on this (n,p) reaction. NRE have also
6 4 10 7
experiments in both fission and fusion reactor environments been used to measure the Li (n,t) He and the B(n,α) Li
6 10
(3-6). Numerous NRE neutron experiments can be found in
reactions by including Li and B in glass specks near the
otherapplieddisciplines,suchasnuclearengineering,environ- mid-plane of the NRE (8, 9). Use of these two reactions does
mental monitoring and health physics. Given the breadth of
not provide the general advantages of the (n,p) reaction for
NRE applications, there exist many textbooks and handbooks neutron dosimetry in low power reactor environments (see
that provide considerable detail on the techniques used in the
Section4).Asaconsequence,thisstandardwillberestrictedto
NRE method (1-4, 6). As a consequence, this practice will be theuseofthe(n,p)reactionforneutrondosimetryinlowpower
restricted to the application of the NRE method for neutron
reactor environments.
measurements in reactor physics and nuclear engineering with
1.5 Limitations—The NRE method possesses four major
particular emphasis on neutron dosimetry in benchmark fields
limitations for applicability in low power reactor environ-
(see Matrix E706).
ments.
1.2 NRE are passive detectors and provide time integrated
1.5.1 Gamma-Ray Sensitivity—Gamma-rays create a sig-
reaction rates. As a consequence, NRE provide fluence mea-
nificantlimitationforNREmeasurements.Aboveagamma-ray
surements without the need for time-dependent corrections,
exposure of approximately 0.025 Gy, NRE can become fogged
such as arise with radiometric (RM) dosimeters (see Test
by gamma-ray induced electron events. At this level of
Method E1005). NRE provide permanent records, so that
gamma-ray exposure, neutron induced proton-recoil tracks can
optical microscopy observations can be carried out any time
no longer be accurately measured. As a consequence, NRE
after exposure. If necessary, NRE measurements can be re-
experiments are limited to low power environments such as
peated at any time to examine questionable data or to obtain
found in critical assemblies and benchmark fields. Moreover,
refined results.
applications are only possible in environments where the
buildup of radioactivity, for example, fission products, is
1.3 Since NRE measurements are conducted with optical
limited.
microscopes, high spatial resolution is afforded for fine struc-
1.5.2 Low Energy Limit—In the measurement of track
ture experiments. The attribute of high spatial resolution can
length for proton recoil events, track length decreases as
also be used to determine information on the angular anisot-
proton-recoil energy decreases. Proton-recoil track length be-
low approximately 3µm in NRE cannot be adequately mea-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear
sured with optical microscopy techniques. As proton-recoil
Technology and Applications, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
track length decreases below approximately 3 µm, it becomes
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved July 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally
very difficult to measure track length accurately. This 3-µm
ɛ1
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2059-15 . DOI:
track length limit corresponds to a low energy limit of
10.1520/E2059-20.
2 applicability
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: E2059 − 15 E2059 − 20
Standard Practice for
Application and Analysis of Nuclear Research Emulsions for
1
Fast Neutron Dosimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2059; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—In paragraph 1.5, “three major limitations” was corrected editorially to “four major limitations” in March 2016.
1. Scope
1.1 Nuclear Research Emulsions (NRE) have a long and illustrious history of applications in the physical sciences, earth
2
sciences and biological sciences (1, 2) . In the physical sciences, NRE experiments have led to many fundamental discoveries in
such diverse disciplines as nuclear physics, cosmic ray physics and high energy physics. In the applied physical sciences, NRE
have been used in neutron physics experiments in both fission and fusion reactor environments (3-6). Numerous NRE neutron
experiments can be found in other applied disciplines, such as nuclear engineering, environmental monitoring and health physics.
Given the breadth of NRE applications, there exist many textbooks and handbooks that provide considerable detail on the
techniques used in the NRE method.method (1-4, 6). As a consequence, this practice will be restricted to the application of the
NRE method for neutron measurements in reactor physics and nuclear engineering with particular emphasis on neutron dosimetry
in benchmark fields (see Matrix E706).
1.2 NRE are passive detectors and provide time integrated reaction rates. As a consequence, NRE provide fluence measurements
without the need for time-dependent corrections, such as arise with radiometric (RM) dosimeters (see Test Method E1005). NRE
provide permanent records, so that optical microscopy observations can be carried out any time after exposure. If necessary, NRE
measurements can be repeated at any time to examine questionable data or to obtain refined results.
1.3 Since NRE measurements are conducted with optical microscopes, high spatial resolution is afforded for fine structure
experiments. The attribute of high spatial resolution can also be used to determine information on the angular anisotropy of the
in-situ neutron field (4, 5, 7). It is not possible for active detectors to provide such data because of in-situ perturbations and
finite-size effects (see Section 11).
1.4 The existence of hydrogen as a major constituent of NRE affords neutron detection through neutron scattering on hydrogen,
that is, the well known (n,p) reaction. NRE measurements in low power reactor environments have been predominantly based on
6 4 10 7 6 10
this (n,p) reaction. NRE have also been used to measure the Li (n,t) He and the B (n,α) Li reactions by including Li and B
in glass specks near the mid-plane of the NRE (8, 9). Use of these two reactions does not provide the general advantages of the
(n,p) reaction for neutron dosimetry in low power reactor environments (see Section 4). As a consequence, this standard will be
restricted to the use of the (n,p) reaction for neutron dosimetry in low power reactor environments.
1.5 Limitations—The NRE method possesses four major limitations for applicability in low power reactor environments.
1.5.1 Gamma-Ray Sensitivity—Gamma-rays create a significant limitation for NRE measurements. Above a gamma-ray
exposure of approximately 0.025 Gy, NRE can become fogged by gamma-ray induced electron events. At this level of gamma-ray
exposure, neutron induced proton-recoil tracks can no longer be accurately measured. As a consequence, NRE experiments are
limited to low power environments such as found in critical assemblies and benchmark fields. Moreover, applications are only
possible in environments where the buildup of radioactivity, for example, fission products, is limited.
1.5.2 Low Energy Limit—In the measurement of track length for proton recoil events, track length decreases as proton-recoil
energy decreases. Proton-recoil track length below approximately 3μm in NRE can not cannot be adequately measured with optical
microscopy techniques. As proton-recoil track length decreases below approximately 3 μm, it becomes very difficult to measure
track length accurately. This 3 μm 3-μm track length limit corresponds to a low energy limit of applicability in the range of
approximately 0.3 to 0.4 MeV for neutron i
...