Response and background study of various PADC materials

The results of response and background studies of polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) as a neutron detector are presented. Commercially available polymeric detectors supplied by five different manufacturers were used. For each type/thickness of material, two or three sheets were sampled. Each sheet was divided into six equal areas and from each, 3 or 4 background and 2 sensitivity detectors were taken and the total of 512 samples were tested. The sensitivity was determined for normally incident 252Cf neutrons. The highest sensitivity of 0.2 cm-2.μSv-1 with the lowest average background of about 150 μSv for a single sheet was found. The minimum detectable dose equivalent (three standard deviations) obtained was 153 μSv. (author)