Neutron dose estimation for 1H+9Be and 1H+12C reactions at 20 MeV proton energy via LET spectrometry using CR-39 detectors

The neutron dose is estimated by linear energy transfer (LET) spectrometry method for two reactions, viz. 1H+9Be and 1H+12C at 20 MeV proton energy using CR-39 track detectors. The LET spectrum is generated from the major, minor radii of each track and thickness of removed surface from each side of the detector due to chemical etching. Microdosimetric distributions of absorbed dose and dose equivalents are obtained from the LET spectrum. The absorbed dose and dose equivalent per incident proton obtained from the LET spectra are found to be about 12.5 and 8 times higher in 1H+9Be reaction than 1H+12C reaction. (author)