Detecting Albedo Neutrons from Conventional Phantoms Irradiated with an Am-Be Source

The effect of the composition and shape of some conventional phantoms on the response of the IRD albedo personal dosemeter irradiated with neutrons from a 241Am-Be bare source was evaluated. A set of four calibration phantoms, and an anthropomorphic phantom were used for this purpose. Dosemeter readings obtained on the surfaces of the calibration phantoms and of the anthropomorphic phantom were converted to directional dose equivalent, H'(10), and to dose equivalent penetrating, Hp(10), respectively. Experimental data showed that, within 10% uncertainty, the IRD albedo personal dosemeter reading is not affected by the shape and composition of calibration phantoms. However, depending on where the dosemeter is placed on the surface of the anthropomorphic phantom, and on the irradiation geometry, a correction factor is required to establish a relationship between H'(10) and Hp(10).