Inter-comparison among different TLD-based techniques in a standard multisphere assembly for the characterisation of neutron fields

In the framework of collaboration among the ENEA Radiation Protection Inst. (Bologna), the ENEA Fusion Dept. (Frascati) and the INFN-LNF-Radiation Protection Group (Frascati), an experimental campaign was organised on the usage of thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) for the dosimetric and spectrometric characterisation of neutron fields. Commercially available TLDs of different material and different sensitivity to photons and thermal neutrons were selected, namely TLD600H and TLD700H from Harshaw, GR206 and GR207 from SSDML (China), MCP-6s from TLD Poland. The detectors were first calibrated in standard fields of photons (60Co) and thermal neutrons at the ENEA-IRP Secondary Standard Calibration Laboratory of Bologna, then exposed in fast neutron standard fields of different energy, using a standard multisphere moderating assembly. The paper compares the dosimetric characteristics of the studied TL detectors, underlining the (n-γ) discrimination capability, and discusses their spectrometric performances addressed to radiation protection applications. (authors)