Abstract
In this work an attempt is made to measure and analyze fast neutron spectrum from Am-Be source. This method depends on the determination of the energy and the scattering angle of the induced proton due to the fast neutron interaction with the hydrogen atoms in CR-39 track detectors. The neutron irradiation is performed using a 5 mCi Am-Be source on a highly polished edge of CR-39 track detector. The length of proton track profile is determined from the surface of CR-39 normal to beam incidence using an automatic image analyzer system at NIS. From the profile length measurements, the range and the energy of the protons are determined using an energy-range relationship and consequently the neutron energy is calculated. It was found that the calculated neutron energy spectrum of the studied Am-Be source showed three peaks at 3.5, 4.5 and 8.0 MeV. A comparison between the present measurements of neutron spectra by proton profile or track diameter technique with the published neutron spectra measured by other techniques was made and a good agreement was found. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.