THERMOLUMINESCENT RESPONSE OF CAF2 - MN MIXED WITH ORGANIC LIQUIDS IN THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FIELDS

The thermoluminescent response of CaF2: Mn mixed with mixtures of acetone-acetonitrile and alcohol-boric acid during a thermal neutron irradation has been determined. The following nuclear reactions occurring in these liquids have been utilized, 14N(n, p)14C and 10B(n, alpha)7Li. Also the response of CaF2: Mn mixed with alcohol has been determined in a fast neutron field. This response is mainly due to the proton recoil reaction. The efficiency for the production of thermoluminescence from the protons and carbon recoils, alpha and lithium recoils and from the proton recoils, produced in the surrounding liquids, was 5, 3 and 11%, respectively, compared to that of gamma rays. The gamma ray induced thermoluminescence is based on the absorbed dose in muscle tissue. In a mixed field of thermal or fast neutrons and gamma rays the sensitivity of dry CaF2: Mn to gamma rays and neutrons was found to be 65% of that in a pure gamma field and this restricts the use of CaF2 mixed with liquids as a neutron dosimetry system. © 1969 Health Physics Society.