Natural CaF2 and Na2B4O7 thermoluminescence detector sensitive to thermal neutrons

A thermoluminescence detector (TLD) sensitive to thermal neutrons based on CaF2 (nat) bound with Na2B4O7 has been produced. A second TLD using NaCl as a binder was used to measure the gamma component in the neutron irradiation field. The production techniques were established. Three different grain sizes were used to study the sensitivity and reproducibility of the detectors produced. Tests for neutron fluence determination within the range of interest for radiation protection (1 - 10 x 108 nth.cm-2) showed that the sensitivity of the detectors has to be increased to allow their use in personnel monitoring. (author)