Can a personal dosemeter for neutron radiation based on a semiconductor chip match the new ICRP recommendations

The new recommendations of ICRP require that the minimum detection threshold of detectors for personal neutron dosimetry must be lowered by a factor of 10(1). The situation for a new device based on an as yet unused technology is even worse. It has to be proven that it is able to detect and measure the neutron and mixed neutron gamma field dose in an analogous way to the proportional counters and secondly that it can fulfil the new recommendations of the ICRP. In solving the first part limiting design rules for such a device based on a semiconductor silicon chip can be deduced. These restrictions satisfy the recommended requirements in a straightforward way. (author)