Calibration Of A 14 MeV Neutron Generator With Reference To NBS-1

NBS-1 is the US national neutron reference source. It has a neutron emission rate (June 1961) of 1.257x106 n/s1,2,3 with an uncertainty of 0.85%(k = 1). Neutron emission-rate calibrations performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are made in comparison to this source, either directly or indirectly. To calibrate a commercial 14 MeV neutron generator, NIST performed a set of comparison measurements to evaluate the neutron output relative to NBS-1. The neutron output of the generator was determined with an uncertainty of about 7%(k = 1). The 15-hour half-life of one of the reactions used also makes possible off-site measurements. Consideration is given to similar calibrations for a 2.5 MeV neutron generator.