Spectrometry and dosimetry of neutron beams produced by 7Li (p,n) reactions in the proton energy range of 3–5 MeV

Abstract Neutron spectrometry was carried out with a state of art neutron spectrometer system named ROSPEC based on multiple proportional counters, for neutron beams generated by bombarding proton beams on a  7Li target with projectile energy in the range of 3-5 MeV. Along with the neutron spectra, neutron fluence rates and ambient dose equivalent rates at the position of the detector were also measured. Neutron spectra measured by ROSPEC were compared with theoretically simulated neutron spectra. The neutron peak energy correspond to n o group of neutrons was found to be within 10%–15% of the expected peak values (theoretical values). The study also determines the neutron fluence rate and ambient dose equivalent rates per unit beam current for neutron energy below and above 50 keV for the studied proton beams energies. The characterization of the quasi mono-energetic neutron beams could be useful for the purpose of radiation protection of the users of the beam line, Boron neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), and study of response characteristics of the neutron detectors.