Design of Neutron Shielder for Reducing Background of Low Level Gamma Ray Spectrometer
Kim, Tae-Wook;Park, Jong-Mook;Park, Jong-Gil;Shin, Sang-Woon;Jun, Jae-Shik;
ABSTRACT
In order to shield the neutrons affecting the background of Low Level Gamma Ray Spectrometer, a neutron shielder was designed. The method used in this study for neutron shielding was the deceleration of fast neutrons by high density polyethylene(HDPE) and the absorption of those slowing-down neutrons by $B_4C$. The calculation results of neutron Interaction in HDPE using Monte Carlo simulation code MCNP4B showed that the thermal-neutron flux was maximum at 10 cm thickness of HDPE. The results also showed that 95% of the thermal neutrons were absorbed by 2 mm thickness of $B_4C$ absorber Consisted of 30 w% $B_4C$ and 70 w% polymer. The results of the Monte Carlo calculation were in good agreement with the experimental value obtained by a neutron shielding apparatus designed for this purpose.