Neutron Spectroscopy by Foil Activation in Radiation Effects Studies

A new technique is presented for determining neutron spectra from foil activation data. The set of activation integral equations are replaced by an underdetermined system of linear equations whose solutions are piecewise linear representations of the differential flux. The technique then selects that solution which is closest to a trial solution in a least squares sense. Examples are presented showing various neutron spectra determined from activation data and certain radiation effects computed with these resultant spectra. A comparison of these "calculated" effects with the "actual" effects as computed with the actual spectra shows excellent agreement.