ABSTRACT
Neutrons form a major component in the cosmic radiation background, but the main reason for the interest in their detection lies in their association with nuclear reactors, fusion devices and certain high-voltage accelerators, as well as with certain industrial and research applications employing spontaneous fission neutron sources (californium-252) or sources utilizing the Be(α,n) reaction such as Am:Be, Pu:Be or Ra:Be neutron sources. In most of the cases the source strength must be determined (usually in terms of neutron flux), or the neutron dose (preferably in terms of the dose equivalent in units of rems or sieverts).
