Neutron response of a spherical proton recoil proportional counter

Neutron response functions of a spherical proton recoil proportional counter are calculated by Monte Carlo simulation taking into account gas amplification and wall effects. The treatment of gas amplification is based on the classical Townsend theory and requires a calculation of the electric field in the counter. The calculated response functions are compared with recent measurements and found to be adequate. Precise knowledge of the response functions of the counter considerably improves the applicability of the counter in neutron spectrometry. (orig.)