EURADOS Course on Unfolding of Bonner Sphere Spectrometer Neutron Measurements

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSS) are widely used for neutron spectrometry at reactors, accelerators, and medical facilities. The analysis of the data requires unfolding methods, which need to be used properly to obtain reliable results. The PTB working group Neutron Spectrometry, together with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), organized a four-day course on BSS unfolding as part of a series of training courses of the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS). The course took place in July 26-29, 2022, at PSI, with 24 participants.

BSS are widely used for measuring the spectral neutron distribution. BSS can determine neutron spectra over a wide energy range covering up to 12 orders of magnitude and they have been used for the measurement of neutron spectra at many different types of facilities, such as reactors, accelerators, and medical facilities. The analysis of the measured data, however, requires unfolding methods, which need to be used properly to obtain reliable results.

The PTB working group Neutron Spectrometry, together with the Department of Radiation Safety and Security of the PSI, organized a four-day course on BSS unfolding as part of a series of training courses of the EURADOS. The course, which took place in July 26-29, 2022, at PSI, was attended by 24 participants. The course was intended for those who do spectrometry in neutron or mixed neutron/photon fields and need to analyze their data using unfolding procedures. It included a series of lectures on the theory of unfolding, special topics related to neutron spectrometry, and practical exercises using the unfolding package UMG+ and Bayesian approaches.

Contact person

M. Reginatto, Department 6.4, Working group 6.43