Characterization of Cm neutron sources.

There is a need to find a replacement for the Cf sources currently used in Standards-based performance testing of neutron instrumentation. This is a result of its relatively short half-life, concerns about future availability and recent increases in cost. A potential replacement source, Cm is evaluated in this study where two commercially available sources have been acquired and their neutron emission spectra measured using a pair of spectrometers. Both instruments showed the Cm spontaneous neutron spectrum to be fully consistent with a MCNP6®-calculated spectrum using published Watt fission parameters for Cm. In addition, the emission rate of the weaker Cm source was established through a direct count rate comparison against a calibrated and similarly encapsulated Cf source. The Cm source emission rate was found to be in excellent agreement with value stated on the manufacturer's source certificate. It is concluded that Cm would be an ideal replacement for Cf based on its longer half-life (18.1 y) and its essentially identical neutron emission spectrum. In addition, Cm sources are commercially available at reasonable cost.