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Part I Review of Fundamentals

Module 3 Interaction of Radiation with
Matter

Session 9 Neutron Shielding
Session I.3.9
IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course
Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources
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Overview
Principles of neutron shielding (as well
as associated gamma radiation) will be
discussed

Health physics significance of neutron
sources and shielding will be discussed
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Content
Neutron energy categories
Neutron shielding principles
Shielding materials
Gamma emission from neutron shields
Common neutron sources
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Neutron Energy Categories
Neutron Name/Title Energy (eV)
Cold Neutrons 0 < 0.025
Thermal Neutrons 0.025
Epithermal Neutrons 0.025 < 0.4
Cadmium Neutrons 0.4 < 0.6
Epicadmium Neutrons 0.6 < 1
Slow Neutrons 1 < 10
Resonance Neutrons 10 < 300
Intermediate Neutrons 300 < 1,000,000
Fast Neutrons 1,000,000 < 20,000,000
Relativistic Neutrons >20,000,000
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Neutron Shielding
Complicated and not straightforward

Choice of shielding is strongly dependent
on neutron energy

Neutrons are shielded with combinations of
high-Z, low-Z and absorber materials

In all cases, shielding materials must
account for induced gamma rays
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Neutron Shielding
For very fast neutrons with energies
> 10 MeV use inelastic scattering
(high-Z materials)

For fast neutrons with energies > 1 MeV,
use elastic scattering (moderation with H)

For slow neutrons use absorbers
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Shielding
Very Fast Neutrons
Use shielding materials in this order

High Z (for example Pb or iron) or
concrete - inelastic scattering for
initial slowing down

Followed by low Z (H) (for example
polymers, water, concrete) elastic
scattering
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Shielding
Fast Neutrons
Use low-Z materials (with H)
(for example polymers, water, concrete)

Takes advantage of elastic scattering
with hydrogen
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Fast Neutron Scattering
From Heavy Nuclei
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Fast Neutron Scattering
From Hydrogen Nuclei
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Shielding
Slow Neutrons
Preferentially use absorbers to capture
slow neutrons without gamma emission

Use absorbers such as B or Li utilize (n,)
reaction without emission of capture
gamma rays

Second choice is hydrogenous materials
using
1
H (n,)
2
H reaction (emits a very
energetic 2.23 MeV gamma ray which must
be shielded against)
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Shielding
Neutrons of Mixed Energies
Slow neutrons down, then absorb

Use low Z materials elastic scattering to
moderate neutron energies

Use absorber materials to remove
moderated neutrons

Use high Z materials to shield against the
induced x and gamma rays
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Gamma Radiation Produced
by Neutron Shielding
Secondary gamma rays arise mostly from
capture of thermal neutrons

Neutron inelastic scattering also contributes
somewhat

Secondary gamma rays are less important
for higher neutron energies
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Neutron Capture Gamma Rays
for Selected Materials
Target Thermal Neutron
Cross Section (barns)
Highest Energy
Gamma Ray (MeV)
Al 0.235 7.724
B-10 3837 0.478
Cd 2450 9.046
C-12 0.0034 4.95
H 0.332 2.23
Si 0.160 10.599
N-14 0.075 10.833
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Material Compositions for
Common Neutron Shields
Material Elements
Contained
Atoms/cm
3
(x10
-21
)
Borated
polyethylene
(8% B
4
C by
weight)
H
C
B-10
B-11
76.8
39.2
0.658
2.67
Water
H
O
66.9
33.45
Concrete
H
C
Al
Si
13.75
45.87
1.743
20.15
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Neutron Sources
Source Reaction Average Neutron
Energy (MeV)
Reactor Fission Fission spectrum
24
Na + Be (,n) 0.83
Ra + Be (,n) 5.0
Po + Be (,n) 4.0
252
Cf Spontaneous
fission
Fission spectrum
Pu + Be (,n) 4.0
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Shielding of Po-Be Neutrons
Material Half-Thickness (cm)
Paraffin 6.6
Water 5.4
12% Borax in Water 5.3
Brass 4.9
Steel (cold roll) 4.9
Lead 6.8
Aluminum 7.8
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Summary
Principles of neutron shielding were
discussed

Students learned about neutron energy
categories, shielding principles,
commonly used shielding materials,
associated gamma radiation, and
common neutron sources
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Where to Get More Information
Cember, H., Introduction to Health Physics, 3
rd

Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York (2000)

Firestone, R.B., Baglin, C.M., Frank-Chu, S.Y., Eds.,
Table of Isotopes (8
th
Edition, 1999 update), Wiley,
New York (1999)

International Atomic Energy Agency, The Safe Use
of Radiation Sources, Training Course Series No. 6,
IAEA, Vienna (1995)