Calculation of an Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate in the Vicinity of a Beam-Pipe Activated by 950 MeV/u 238U Ions

Abstract

The paper presents an assessment of the ambient dose equivalent rate in the vicinity of a stainless steel beam-pipe activated by 950 MeV/u 238U ions. The input activation data were taken from previous experimental studies. The MCNP5 code has been used for fast and simple calculation based on conversion of the residual activity of induced isotopes to the ambient dose equivalent rate taking into account a broad energy spectrum of emitted gamma radiation. Long-lived isotopes with the dominating contribution to the total dose rate are identified and listed. Time evolution of the ambient dose equivalent rate during accelerator operation is predicted. Tolerable beam-loss criteria and conditions for the hands-on maintenance are discussed from the point of view of radiation protection.