Probing the qualities of diamond detectors for neutron identification at radiotherapy facilities

Abstract

One of the capabilities of diamond detectors is the measurement of neutron radiation, due to their carbon composition. In these work is described a campaign of measurements related with neutron irradiation using different sources: starting with a 252Cf standard neutron source, continuing with a well-known nuclear reaction at a low-energy tandem accelerator and finishing with neutron radiation produced in a hospital radiotherapy machine. The aim of all these measurements is to evaluate the qualities of diamond device to detect neutron irradiation, thus proving they are good candidates to be used as neutron dosimeters at hospital accelerators. Our preliminary results show that diamond detectors are a promising tool to be implemented in such a kind of facilities.