Testing the temperature compensated BD-PND bubble detector

The first results are presented of a study of the BD-PND bubble dectector. A large batch of these neutron detectors was tested for their main characteristics by irradiation with a 252 Cf source. This included an investigation on the reproducibility, the batch uniformity of the results and linearity with dose equivalent. The change in sensitivity after activation of the detector is another parameter investigated. Over a large temperature range (14 to 47°C) the extent to which the BD-PND bubble detectors are really temperature independent was investigated. Probably due to a limited lifetime of the temperature compensation, a progressive rise of sensitivity with temperature was found. Checks were also made for any change in sensitivity during the lifetime of the detectors and a few parameters that could influence this sensitivity were studied.