The PTB thermal neutron reference field at GeNF

The experimental setup and procedure for the characterization of the thermal neutron reference field established at the Geesthacht neutron facility (GeNF) of the GKSS is described. The neutron beam, free in air, with a maximum flux of 106 s-1, can easily be reduced to less than 104 s-1 by using a diaphragm variable in size and without changing the beam divergence. Also, the spectral distribution with a mean energy of 45 meV, measured by time-of-flight over a 6.6 m long flight path, is independent of the beam current chosen. In the 2002/2003 experiments reported here, a 6Li glass detector was employed to determine the absolute beam current and to calibrate the 3He transmission beam monitor. In addition, activation measurements of gold foils were carried out at a reduced beam divergence. The results agree within ±2%. Furthermore, the beam is characterized by a low gamma background intensity and a negligible fraction of epithermal neutrons. Irradiations in combination with a scanner device to achieve a homogeneously illuminated scan field have shown that the thermal beam is well suited for dosemeter development and for the calibration of radiation protection instruments. (orig.)