Do the new ICRP quantities affect the 9-in./3-in. ratio method?

The application of the ratio of the readings of the 9- and 3-in. Bonner spheres is a widely used method to characterize the spectral distribution of neutron survey fields, especially in the United States. A method has been introduced to determine a correction factor for the energy dependence of the responses of individual albedo dosimeters when these are exposed in any slowing-down neutron field. The basic idea is to approximate the energy dependence of the response of the albedo dosimeter by the response of a 3-in. sphere, assuming that the energy dependence of the response of the 9-in. sphere is sufficiently similar to the required fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion function. It is concluded that the concept of the 9-in./3-in. sphere ratio is still applicable if the new operation quantities are applied and if the general overresponse of the method at energies below 1 MeV remains acceptable