Neutron and X-ray dosimetry NTU

around Sahand plasma focus

by:
S.Sobhanian, M.Golalikhani, M.A.Mohammadi and
E.Ghareshabani

Department of Atomic & Molecular Physics,

University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran 1
 Sahand plasma focus

Plasma Parameters
Hot ~ 0.3- 2 KeV
Dense 1024- 1026 m-3
Lifetime ~100ns

I – stage of break-down along the

insulator and plasma-current sheath
formation

II – stage of PCS radial acceleration

III – stage of radial compression and

dense plasma focus formation 2
 Sahand plasma focus

Sahand characteristics
Anode diameter: 50 cm
Cathode diameter: 76 cm
Insulator diameter: 48 cm
Total capacitor bank: 288 µF
Maximum stored energy: 90 kJ
Maximum charging voltage: 25 kV
Maximum current: ~ 1.1 MA
Working gas pressure:
0.1- 5 Torr

3
 X-ray production

•Bremsstruhlung
From energetic electrons and ions

•Line radiation
From de-excitation of atoms

X-ray in plasma focus

Soft (E<10 keV)
And Hard (E>10 keV)
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 Neutron production

Plasma focus is a cheap pulsed neutron source

Fusion 2
1 D  21 D  01 n  31 He
Mechanisms

Beam- target interaction

10- 20% in the maximum compression period of plasma column

90- 80% in the decaying period

3
Experimental yield formula: y I 2
p
Ip: Plasma current

Ex: In Sahand Ip= 1MA y ~ 109 neutrons

5
 X-rays detection systems

For soft X-ray radiation: Semiconductor detector

SPPD 11-02 type PIN diode
4 10
2
11
11 5 3 7 8 11
9
11
1

a)

1-vacuum-tight socket 9-diaphragm slit

2-isolating flange 10-vacuum lock
3-device frame 11-vacuum seals
4-transitional flange
5-SPPD-detector frame
6-sensitive element
7-filter 6
8-mesh
X-rays detection systems

For hard X-ray component: vacuum photo-diode

1 - scintillator
2 - vacuum photocell bulb Ф-11
3 - detector frame
4 – coaxial socket
5 – anode Ф-11
6 – cathode Ф-11 7
X-rays detection systems

For time – resolved measurements of hard X-ray and neutron we

used fast NaI scintillator (5 ns) with photomultiplier

1 – plastic scintillator
2 – detector frame
3 – lead shield
4 – photomultiplier bulb
5 – voltage divider;
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 Neutron detection
10

9 14
5 1
15 15
16 11
8

12

3 2 16 13
4

6
7 7

1 – discharge chamber (cathode) 7 – capacitor bank cables 12 – magnetic probe

2 – anode
3 – porcelain insulator
4 – anode insert
5 – central window
6 – spark gap switch
8 – semiconductor X-ray detector (SD) 13 – Rogowsky coil
9 – detector of neutron yield (G-M 14 – detector of neutron and X-ray fluxes
counter) (PM with plastic scintillator)
10 – detector of hard X-ray radiation 15 – diagnostic ports 9
(vacuum diode with scintillator, VD) 16 – vacuum locks
11 – pin-hole camera
Neutron detection

For time-resolved measurement of neutrons and HXR two

PMs coupled to NE-102 plastic scintillators with 5ns
resolution (position 14) (located at 7m from plasma column)
Scintillation detectors register both neutrons and HXR with
same efficiency.

The integral neutron yield is measured with an activation

detectors (position 9) consisting of a self-extinguishing
G-M countor surrounded by a silver foil of 0.1mm thick
located inside a polyethylene moderator PM-13
amplfication factor>106 (Cssh photocathode and 12
dynode)

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 Neutron detection

Typical signal from PM

X-ray: ToF= 20ns then v=3*1010(cm/s)

Neutron: ToF= 35ns then v=1.96*109(cm/s)
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Neutron detection

GM
Ag107(51%)= 45 barns

Silver activation cross sections

Ag109(49%)= 113 barns

Neutron detectors are calibrated by Pu(α,n) Be source with a

flux of ~ 106n/cm2.s

Typical results: for 16 kV 1.8*109 neutron

and for 18kV 2.67*109 neutron
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Definitions

Unit of absorbed dose for any type of radiation

1 Gy (gray)=1 Joul/kg
1 rad = 100 erg/gr
1 Gy = 100 rad
Dose equivalent: amount of any type of radiation
that when absorbed in a biological system, results
in the same effect
Dose equivalent H=DQ
Q increases with linear energy transfer (LET) in SI
convention. H is measured in Sievert
1 Sievert (Sr) = D.Q= (Gy).Q 13
X-ray dosimeters

TLD (Thermoluminescence Detector)

A class of inorganic crystals. The inorganic scintillation

materials when exposed to ionizing radiation, emit light
in the form of prompt fluorescence.

Luminesence:
•Flurescence: the excited electron de-excites promptly
•Phospherescence: the excited electron de-excites with some
delay
•Thermoluminescence: in TLD the stored energy is released by
absorbing thermal energy.

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Thermoluminescence materials

Some TLD are crystals to which a small concentration of impurity

has been added as an activator

Caso4:Mn , LiF:mgTi, CaF2:Mn

Li2 B4 O7 : Mn (TLD800), Zeff=7.42

LiF: MgCuP (commercial name: TLD100H

CaF2 (Zeff=1.63), CaSo4 Zeff is high (for

environmental use)

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Neutron Dosimeters

Thermal neutrons TLD

Fast neutrons polycarbonate films

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Classification of neutrons

•Thermal neutrons (energy~ 0.25 eV)

•Intermediate neutrons 0.5-10 keV
•Fast neutrons 10keV- 10 MeV
•Relativistic neutrons > 10MeV

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Thermal neutrons

LiF in 3 forms
Natural LiF Harshaw TLD 100
Enriched 6LiF Harshaw TLD 600
Enriched 7Li Harshaw TLD 700

The most part of thermoluminescence comes from α

particles produced by neutron incidence: 6Li(n,α) 3H
6
Li + n1  α (2.07 MeV) +T3 (2.74MeV)

TLD responses to fast neutrons are generally small

compared to  and X rays. 18
Fast neutrons

Heavy charged particles create defects in the form of tracks in

passing through materials like some organic crystals, mica, glass as
plastic materials.

Films made of polycarbonate (CR 39 film) are siutable for this

purpose

LiB dosimeters are used in this method.

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X-ray dosimetry around Sahand PF

TLD (LiF crystal)

Uniform response independent of energy
(from soft X-rays to high energy  rays

The condition of reading:

Tmax= 250 0C, H.R=6 0C/s Repeat 4times to measure the errors
N

 TL i
ECCi= i 1

N .TLi
ECC is elemental correction coefficient. N is number of
dosimeters TLi is reader’s response C
alibration coefficient is obtained from the slope of TL responses
versus doses.
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 Isotropy investigations

For isotropy investigations TLD are placed in a

circle around the cathode part of PF at angles:
0, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270 and 315 degrees.

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R (cm) Angle Dose (mGy) R (cm) Angle Dose (mGy) R (cm) Angle Dose (mGy)

0 0 21.02 5 0 17.53 7.5 0 12.52

3 0 18.16 5 45 16.31 7.5 45 10.69

3 45 18.20 5 90 15.69 7.5 90 10.89

3 90 17.56 5 135 16.26 7.5 135 11.84

3 135 16.58 5 180 14.67 7.5 180 12.54

3 180 18.41 5 225 18.48 7.5 225 14.22

3 225 18.85 5 270 20.27 7.5 270 14.05

3 270 20.01 5 315 18.65 7.5 315 13.91

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The average dose for each distances

R (cm) A.Dose(mGy)
0 21.02
3 18.25
5 17.23
7.5 12.58

22

20
Dose (mGy)

18

16

14

12

10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
R (cm)

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 0 45 90 135 180 225 270

22
20
Dose (mGy)

18
16
14

12
10
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
R (cm)

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Dose measurements in PF lab

120 cm
220 cm

200 cm
310 cm

Operator

80 cm

Operator
25
Control room
Dose measurements in PF lab

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Measurement of doses at 2 successive days

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Neutron dosimetry in Sahand PF lab

Dosimeter: polycarbonate film

Response appears as tracks

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Conclusion

•The pinch does not occur in the center

•Doses are in background level
•Most neutrons are produced by beam target interaction
•No considerable neuron dose absorption for people working
in the lab
•Some recommendations for safety against X-rays

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 Thank You
and
Have a nice day

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