Retrieval and Characterization of a Plutonium-beryllium Source at the University of Utah.

A shielded neutron irradiation facility has been constructed to contain a 74 GBq plutonium-beryllium neutron source at the University of Utah. Due to lack of information and recent use, the GEANT4 Monte Carlo Toolkit was used to perform dose assessments and validation of the designed shield and beam port for storage and operational geometries where the source was to be placed. Borated polyethylene was used as the primary shielding material with a lead-lined beam port to collimate neutrons and reduce gamma rays within the active beam profile.