Characterisation and Monte Carlo validation of a compact AmBe neutron irradiation facility providing fast and thermal neutron fields for detector development

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Bevan, A. J., Dawson, I.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2026
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author Bevan, A. J.
Dawson, I.
author_facet Bevan, A. J.
Dawson, I.
contents We report the design, commissioning and benchmarking of a compact AmBe-based neutron irradiation facility capable of providing both fast and thermal neutron dominated fields through multiple detector positions within a moderator assembly. Detailed radiation transport simulations using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code were performed to model the radiation environment at different detector positions. The inclusion of a single-crystal CVD diamond neutron detector in the simulations enabled direct comparison with experimental measurements, providing confidence the radiation fields are well understood. The simulations also provided a detailed breakdown of energy deposition mechanisms in the diamond sensors, including nuclear recoil, neutron capture reactions and secondary proton production from surrounding materials, highlighting the influence of detector housing materials on the local radiation environment and detector response. The facility provides a practical and accessible platform for neutron detector development and benchmarking in typical university laboratories, with dose rates outside the facility below typical natural background levels.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_03211
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Characterisation and Monte Carlo validation of a compact AmBe neutron irradiation facility providing fast and thermal neutron fields for detector development
Bevan, A. J.
Dawson, I.
Instrumentation and Detectors
We report the design, commissioning and benchmarking of a compact AmBe-based neutron irradiation facility capable of providing both fast and thermal neutron dominated fields through multiple detector positions within a moderator assembly. Detailed radiation transport simulations using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code were performed to model the radiation environment at different detector positions. The inclusion of a single-crystal CVD diamond neutron detector in the simulations enabled direct comparison with experimental measurements, providing confidence the radiation fields are well understood. The simulations also provided a detailed breakdown of energy deposition mechanisms in the diamond sensors, including nuclear recoil, neutron capture reactions and secondary proton production from surrounding materials, highlighting the influence of detector housing materials on the local radiation environment and detector response. The facility provides a practical and accessible platform for neutron detector development and benchmarking in typical university laboratories, with dose rates outside the facility below typical natural background levels.
title Characterisation and Monte Carlo validation of a compact AmBe neutron irradiation facility providing fast and thermal neutron fields for detector development
topic Instrumentation and Detectors
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.03211