Criticality dosimetry using a sulfur disk and a priori neutron spectral knowledge

This paper proposes the design of a new approach to criticality accident dosimetry, which uses a priori knowledge of the neutron spectra for criticality accident conditions, and depends upon accurate detector spectral response characterization and environmental modeling. The sulfur disk was selected as a potential neutron detector, for neutrons of higher energies. Several sulfur disks were exposed to a critical Godiva experiment, the spectral response function determined using Monte Carlo methods, and the activity determined using knowledge of the known criticality spectrum. The new method, possibly with two or more different detectors to measure other energy ranges, holds promise as a practical approach to neutron criticality dosimetry.