Impact of neutron flux anisotropy from DT generator on radiation shielding effectiveness

Design of deuterium–tritium (DT) neutron generator facilities requires a careful assessment of radiation shielding. In the models of such facilities an isotropic distribution of neutron flux produced by the neutron generator is usually assumed. However, prior studies have shown that neutron flux surrounding the neutron generator can be anisotropic. This anisotropy results mostly from the design of the generator tube, as well as the angular dependence of DT fusion reaction cross section. In this work, the angular neutron flux was measured for a standard commercially available DT generator (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Model P211) using an organic scintillator and a significant degree of anisotropy was confirmed to exist. The experimentally determined flux was then used in Monte Carlo simulations to examine the impact of anisotropy on the effectiveness of radiation shielding. Although the shielding effectiveness is not considerably affected by the anisotropy, the dose rates in air around the unshielded generator can be significantly different from those predicted when an assumption of isotropic flux is made. These considerations need to be included in modeling of the dose rate around the generator in neutron generator facilities that employ typical neutron generators, which exhibit some degree of anisotropy in neutron flux.