Application of a simple analytical model to estimate effectiveness of radiation shielding for neutrons

Abstract

Neutron dose equivalent rates have been measured for 800-MeV proton beam splits at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. Neutron detectors were used to measure the neutron dose levels at a number of locations for each beam spill test, and neutron energy spectra were measured for several beam spill tests. Estimates of expected levels for various detector locations were made using a simple analytical model developed for 800-MeV proton beam spills. A comparison of measurements and model estimates indicates that the model is reasonably accurate in estimating the neutron dose equivalent rate for simple shielding geometries. The model fails for more complicated shielding geometries, where indirect contributions to the dose equivalent rate can dominate.