Beam characterization of new neutron radiography facility at TRIGA Mark II PUSPATI research reactor

Abstract

Characterization of neutron beam compositions is important in order to capture great radiographic images. The quality of the neutron beam has significant impacts to the radiographic images produced using that beam. Characterizing of the beam, including determination of the effective value for the thermal neutron content, scattered neutron content, gamma content, and pair production content as well as beam sensitivity, is vital for producing quality radiographic images. This paper provides a characterization of the neutron radiography’s beam port (beam port 3) at TRIGA Mark II PUSPATI research reactor (RTP). The experiments to determine the effective beam contents and neutron radiograph sensitivity at the beam are based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards document E545. The Beam Purity Indicator (BPI) and Sensitivity Indicator (SI) are the standard used in these experiments. Neutron radiographic imaging of this standard was performed using direct radiographic method with 0.1 mm thickness Gadolinium (Gd) metal converter and film. Characterization of the beam was carried out for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes exposure time at 750 kW reactor operating power. The standard was placed at 110 cm from the beam opening. The current neutron beam performances are compared with previous results.