A multipurpose spherical neutron counter

We have developed a unique neutron counter applicable to measurements of fluence, energy distribution and the dose equivalent of neutrons with a very wide energy range, and to estimations of the incident direction of neutron beams. This 4/spl pi/ sensitive neutron counter consists of a spherical polyethylene moderator and three charge-division-type position-sensitive proportional counters (PSPCs) inserted into the moderator orthogonally with each other. The three PSPCs give thermal neutron distributions in the spherical moderator that bring us the above information. The characteristics of this neutron counter have been studied with Monte Carlo simulations and with experiments using monoenergetic neutrons.< >