Optimization of Bonner sphere spectrometer design applying Bayesian approach.

The design of Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) was optimized using Bayesian approach for two different measurement purposes in the ISO 8529 neutron standard field of 241Am-Be source as follows: (i) for the best estimation of neutron fluence spectrum and (ii) for the best estimation of neutron ambient dose equivalent, H*(10). As results, two optimal sets of BSS system (with sequential specific diameters) were proposed: (i) for the first problem, an optimal BSS system with a maximum of six different diameters is needed to obtain neutron fluence spectrum with the standard uncertainties in each energy bin as low as reasonably achievable and (ii) for the second problem, if one would just like to achieve the output H*(10) with a standard uncertainty <10%, only two optimal BSS measurements are needed.