Response of PN3 dosimeters to 239Pu–Be neutrons

Abstract CR-39 type PN3 plastic detectors associated with a polyethylene or PN3 radiator or without radiator were exposed to Pu–Be neutrons to evaluate their effectiveness as fast neutron dosimeters. The detectors were chemically etched and track counting was performed using an automated system. It was found that the dosimeter responses were linear up to a neutron dose equivalent of 200 mSv and that the simple PN3 detector without radiator has the same response as the two-element dosimeters and thus appears as a promising fast neutron dosimeter.