The acceptance testing of PADC detectors for fast neutron dosimetry using PuBe neutron source

Solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) represent a passive detection method suitable for fast neutron dosimetry. The paper describes a series of acceptance tests for TASTRAK PADC detectors irradiated with a PuBe neutron source. Individual analyses aimed to improve the understanding of PADC performance under specific conditions and to identify possible problematic factors, such as influence of handling, influence of usage of detectors from different sheets etc. The experiment was conducted with two sets of detectors in cooperation with the Slovak Institute of Metrology using a PuBe neutron source. The equivalent ambient dose delivered to the detectors ranged from 0.14 to 14.99 mSv. The tests focused on detector detection limits, sensitivity, and the ability to determine the measured value. The performance of TASTRAK detectors in a fast neutron field was in agreement with the expectations, problematic areas were identified, and the focus of future research in the field of SSNTD dosimetry at Slovak Technical University in Bratislava (STU) was determined.