Neutron Source-Strength Determination by Student Laboratories

The increasing availability of high-strength ²⁵²Cf neutron sources for educational use suggests the possibility of a new wave of source-strength measurements in student laboratories. In this paper, different methods for calculation and measurement of strengths have been discussed. Results obtained by the maganese-boron method have been compared with the theoretical predictions. Sources of error have been pointed out and a procedure has been recommended for use in a laboratory. It is concluded that results obtained by this method are accurate to 5% while more elaborate and painstaking measurements may produce ∼2% accuracy.