A search for neutron reactions that may be useful for Hiroshima dose reconstruction

Results are presented of a detailed search for neutron reactions that could potentially be useful in reconstructing the neutron fluence in Hiroshima, with emphasis on fast neutrons in the 1-MeV range. Searches were made for suitable reactions in several neutron cross-section libraries from the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and the former U.S.S.R. Because of the long time (∼ 50 yr) since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, reaction products evaluated in this search were limited to those with half-lives between 5 and 109 yr. From the about 100 reactions within this category, only six appear to have some potential utility for fast neutron measurements of suitable materials from Hiroshima. The technology may currently be available to measure two of these reactions if suitable materials can be obtained. (Author)