Thick target neutron spectral yield and dose measurements with [formula omitted]C (p, n) system at intermediate proton energies between 8–20 MeV

Abstract

The study of neutron parameters from a thick natural graphite target is of immense importance for obtaining the background neutron energy and yield corrections in case of proton irradiation of low Z targets, where graphite is used predominantly as the supporting target material. There are few measurements with thick graphite target reported in literature at proton energies up to 12 MeV and some at higher energies beyond 20 MeV. The present study focuses on the thick target neutron yield, dose and spectra measurements from thick natC(p,n) system at intermediate proton energies between 8–20 MeV. The experimental measurements were performed at 0°and 90°with respect to the incident beam direction. The generated data will complement the discontinuity in the neutron yield and spectral measurements, in the proton energy range of 12–20 MeV. These dosimetric estimates in the proton energy range of 8–20 MeV will be significant towards the personal radiation protection of occupational workers and neutron shielding evaluations.