https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01947-8
Regular Article
Development of device for determination of the neutron source emission rate based on the manganese bath technique in the Slovak Institute of Metrology
1
Department of Ionizing Radiation, Slovak Institute of Metrology, Karloveská 63, 842 55, Bratislava, Slovakia
2
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Ilkovičová 3, 812 19, Bratislava, Slovakia
a
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Received:
1
July
2024
Accepted:
8
September
2025
Published online:
17
September
2025
Abstract
Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU) as a National Metrology Institute in Slovakia received funding from Slovak Research and Development Agency for developing a manganese bath under the project No.: APVV-21-0170 in 2022. The main contribution of the project is construction of a primary standard of dosimetric quantities for neutron radiation, which will ensure the realization of the emission rate unit at the highest metrology level. The second part of the project is to measure anisotropy at a sufficient metrological level. In this way, the existing measurement system in Slovakia will be expanded and the need to have traceability to standards abroad will be eliminated. The manganese activation through the reaction 55Mn(n,γ)56Mn in a bath and more accurate calculation of a neutron capture efficiency on a manganese atomic nuclei was simulated using Monte Carlo transport codes such as MCNP 6.2 and SCALE 6. By using these transport codes, it is possible to investigate and evaluate the consequences of geometric and material composition or other changes in the model even before they are implemented. The technical completion, an initial test of the manganese bath, and a close cooperation with colleagues from the academic field INPE FEI STU contributed to obtain reasonable results. Obtaining information about a neutron source emission rate at a sufficient metrological level and implementing this methodology through the development of a work procedure at the SMU are main goals of this still ongoing project.
© The Author(s) 2025
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