Measurement of 241Am–Be spectra (bare and Pb-covered) using TLD pairs in multi-spheres: Spectrum unfolding by different methods

The neutron spectra from a Pb-covered and a bare (without Pb-cover) 241Am–Be (α,n) source were measured using thermoluminescent detector (TLD) pairs of 6LiF and 7LiF with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) multi-spheres of seven different diameters. A total of 8 distinct neutron response signals (including a bare mode exposure) were obtained from which the energy distribution for the entire energy range was generated with the help of different neutron spectrum unfolding methods, viz. BUNKI, BUNKIUT and Frascati unfolding interactive tool (FRUIT). Shape of these spectra are matching very well and is also comparable with the standard IAEA 241Am–Be spectrum, thus, validating the unfolding methods used in this work. The effect of Pb-cover on the spectrum and the unfolding details are reported in the paper.