RE: switchable neutron sources

[Bhaskar MUKHERJEE <bmu@ansto.gov.au>]

Hi Vashek
I have developed a similar device at our Lab. I have used a Be-Window of a
discarded GM-counter and pressed togather with a home made 241-Am source. 
I have detected neutrons, however, the intensity was too low, but sufficient
enough for the calibration purposes..
best regards
Bhaskar
(Lucas Heights Research Laboratory Australia)

-----Original Message-----
From: vylet001@mc.duke.edu [mailto:vylet001@mc.duke.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 7:49 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: switchable neutron sources




Dear radsafers,

I would appreciate any information on "switchable" neutron
sources (availability, references, etc). Such a source would
be a special version of the usual Am-Be, Ra-Be, Pu-B, ...
setup, in which the alpha emitter and Be (or B) are not mixed,
but separated, so that the source can be switched on and off
by simply varying the distance of the two components.

I assume that such sources would have relatively low
emission rates, due to the inefficiencies in geometry.
However, they would be very useful in applications where
portability is a major constraint, since it would eliminate
the need for neutron shielding.

It was suggested to me that these sources were built somewhere,
perhaps at one of the national labs.
Thank you in advance for any hints and pointers.

Vashek Vylet

-----------------------------------------------------------
Vaclav "Vashek" Vylet, Ph.D.            Phone: 919-684-2194
OESO/DUMC Box 3155                        Fax: 919-684-2422
Duke University                         pager: 919-970-1224
Durham, NC 27710, USA         e-mail: vashek.vylet@duke.edu


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