Simulated workplace neutron fields of $$^{241}$$Am–Be source moderated by polyethylene spheres

Abstract

Simulated workplace neutron fields of a $$^{241}$$ Am–Be source moderated by polyethylene spheres have been developed. The characterization in terms of neutron fluence rate and neutron ambient dose equivalent rate, $$H^*(10)$$ , was performed using Bonner sphere spectrometer and the MAXED and FRUIT unfolding codes. The neutron fluence rates and the $$H^*(10)$$ rates obtained from the two codes are in good agreement with the discrepancies of 8% and 6%, respectively. The neutron ambient dose equivalent-averaged energies and the neutron fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficients were also evaluated in comparison between the two codes. The discrepancies are < 10% and 12%, respectively.