(Dr. Nolan Hertel, advisor)

"Design of a ²⁵²Cf-based Neutron Shielding Test Stand"

Abstract

A neutron source holder has been constructed that provides a collimated neutron field for the testing of shielding materials. The source holder is a paraffin cylinder with a cylindrical opening. The properties of the source holder/collimator were evaluated experimentally and computationally. In addition, a shield material, NS-4FR, was tested. Measurements of the neutron field with and without shielding materials were made with a Bonner sphere spectrometer using a ⁶LiI(Eu) scintillator. The measurements were unfolded using the BUNKIUT code. MCNP code calculations were made using a simplified representation of this testing system. The calculational and experimental fluence rates and dose rates for NS-4-FR were compared. Macroscopic removal cross sections were also calculated.