Thomas, D J; Kolkowski, P; Roberts, N J; Mellow, B D*; Joyce, M J* (2006) Investigation of a possible replacement for cadmium as a thermal neutron absorbing material in neutron instruments. NPL Report. DQL-RN 017

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Abstract

Thin layers of cadmium metal are commonly used around neutron detecting devices to absorb thermal neutrons. The application may be to separate out completely the device’s response to thermal neutrons from its response to higher energy neutrons, or simply to modify the response to thermal neutrons. Cadmium is used because it has an absorption cross section which is very high in the thermal region, but which drops off rapidly above about 0.5 eV. However, because of potential health hazards, which have significant implications when disposing of devices containing cadmium, there is a strong incentive to find a suitable alternative material for this application. This report covers an investigation of possible alternative materials.

Item Type:	Report/Guide (NPL Report)
NPL Report No.:	DQL-RN 017
Subjects:	Ionising Radiation Ionising Radiation > Neutron Metrology
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:15
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/3580