Determination of a Pu-Be source neutron spectrum at Czech Metrology Institute.

Contrary to the radionuclide neutron sources of Cf and Am-Be type, which are most widely used for the dosimetric instrumentation calibrations, the spectral source strength and spectrum averaged fluence to dose equivalent conversion coefficients of Pu-Be source are not recommended by an international standard. This work describes the determination of those parameters for the Pu-Be source used at Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) by means of a Bonner spectrometer in combination with neutron emission rate measurement in a manganese bath.