Dosimetry in mixed neutron-gamma fields with a Timepix detector

Abstract

We used the hybrid semiconductor pixel detector Timepix as an area dosimeter in mixed neutron-gamma fields. The surface of the detector was covered with several converters based on 6Li, polyethylene, Th and enriched U. We used three different neutron sources for calibration of the device – thermal neutrons from graphite pile, 241Am-Be and 252Cf. The desired neutron component of dosimetry and operational quantities can be determined by counting events under the converters. The segmentation of the Timepix detector and its capability to measure energy deposition of each interacting quantum of ionizing radiation allows a separation of neutron events from X-ray/gamma or electron interaction. Thus, the device can also be used for simultaneous X-ray and gamma dosimetry, where it is in some aspects superior to most of the commercial devices, given its detection threshold of 3–5 keV.