Study of microdosimetric parameters of mixed radiation fields produced by D-T neutron generators of different designs - A comparison

Abstract Microdosimetric parameters measured by a TEPC have been studied in the mixed radiation fields generated by the two D-T neutron generators developed at BARC and IGCAR facilities of DAE, India. These two generators differ in their sizes and designs. The present study reveals that the radiation fields by these two generators are significantly different. In the case of compact design (IGCAR generator) due to the significant contribution of bremsstrahlung photons in the total radiation field, the frequency and dose mean lineal energy, average quality factors are considerably less (factors of 3 to 6) than the BARC D-T generator. The study also reveals that the photon contribution to the total dose equivalent can be as high as 30% for compact D-T generator.