Answer to Question #12136 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Basics — Neutrons

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

Given a known neutron rate from an americium-241 (241Am)-beryllium (Be) source, how can I determine the neutron dose equivalence if only gamma measurements are available? For example, if I know the number of neutrons per second (n s-1) being emitted from a source, can the gamma survey results in microsieverts per hour (µSv h-1) be used along with an equivalency factor to calculate the neutron dose contribution? For reference, my sealed source and device registration (SSDR) states the 555 gigabecquerel (GBq) 241Am-Be source is expected to emit 4.26 × 107 n s-1. The regulations pertaining to well logging in Texas (25 Texas Administrative Code 289.253(aa)(1)&(2)) state that surveys must take into account neutron contribution, and I want to know if there is a factor I can multiply or add to the gamma dose rate that will allow the neutron dose to be estimated. I realize that there are survey meters such as the Ludlum Model 2363 which measure both gammas and neutrons (and the two types of radiation can be measured in summation or discreetly).

A

Regarding the first part of your question, it is a fairly easy matter to estimate the neutron dose rate from an Am-Be source of known neutron emission rate at reasonably close distances (from about 10 centimeters [cm] to a few meters [m]) in air from the source. This is done by first calculating the expected neutron fluence rate directly from the source, assuming that the source behaves as a point isotropic source so that the fluence rate varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source and is uniform in all directions. For the general case in which a source emits S n s-1, and we are concerned with the equivalent dose rate at distance r cm from the source (distance measured from the geometric center of the source), the direct neutron fluence rate, Φ, (neglecting effects of neutron scatter) is given by:

Φ = S/4πr2.

For your case, S = 4.26 × 107 n s-1; for an arbitrary distance of r = 100 cm, we would then obtain:

Φ = 4.26 × 107 n s-1/4(3.1416)(100 cm)2 = 3.39 × 102 n cm-2 s-1.

It turns out that the conversion factor to convert fluence rate to equivalent dose rate for the spectrum of fast neutrons emitted by 241Am-Be sources, based on current US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and agreement state regulations, is about 0.68 n cm-2 s-1 per µSv h-1. The expected neutron equivalent dose rate, H, from the above example would then be:

H = (3.39 × 102 n cm-2 s-1)(1 µSv h-1/0.68 n cm-2 s-1) = 4.99 × 102 µSv h-1.

If we check the decay radiation characteristics of 241Am, we would find that the only significant gamma radiation emitted by an Am-Be source with sufficient energy to escape from the source encapsulation are the 60 kiloelectronvolt (keV) photons emitted at the rate of about five gamma rays per 14 decays of 241Am atoms. What is not typically shown in routine decay tables, however, is that when an alpha particle interacts with a beryllium-9 (9Be) nucleus to produce a neutron, the other product produced is carbon-*12 (*12C), where the asterisk (*) designates a nuclear-excited state of 12C. It happens that in about 75% of the deexcitations of 12C, a 4.4 megaelectronvolt (MeV) gamma ray is emitted. Thus, the expected 4.4 MeV gamma-ray emission rate from a 241Am-Be source is equal to about 75% of the neutron emission rate.

The 60 keV gamma rays are attenuated to a significant extent within the source matrix and the cladding that encapsulates it. The degree of attenuation can vary appreciably with source size and construction characteristics. A "typical" 555 GBq source, as you have, might have a gamma dose rate approximately 20% of the neutron dose rate at a fixed distance in air from the source, but this can only be determined for any specific source by measurement. For purposes of an example, if we apply this 20% value to your source at the 100 cm distance, we obtain an expected 60 keV gamma equivalent dose rate of about 1 × 102 µSv h-1. The 4.4 MeV gamma radiation would add about 25 µSv h-1. Keep in mind that these are approximations and that you should really measure the gamma dose rate at a fixed distance from the source and compare it to the calculated (or measured) neutron dose rate.

If the above example estimates were correct (i.e., 4.99 × 102 µSv h-1 neutron dose rate and [1 × 102] + [2.5 × 101] = 1.25 × 102 µSv h-1 gamma dose rate), we could then calculate the factor you desire to obtain the neutron dose rate from the measured gamma dose rate (i.e., 4.99 × 102 µSv h-1/1.25 × 102 µSv h-1 = 3.99). Multiplying a measured gamma dose rate by this factor of 3.99 would yield the expected neutron dose rate at the same location. Naturally, such an approach assumes no major neutron or gamma attenuation or scattering are occurring that would affect the legitimacy of this ratio.

George Chabot, PhD

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 3 September 2017. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.