Virtual estimation of effective dose in neutron fields

The PODIUM project aims to provide real-time assessments of occupationally exposed workers by tracking their motion and combining this with a simulation of the radiation field. The present work describes the approach that would be taken in mixed neutron-gamma fields, and details the methods for generating and applying an effective dose rate map; the required fluence to effective dose conversion coefficients at intercardinal angles are also presented. A proof-of-concept of the approach is demonstrated using a simple simulated workplace field within a calibration laboratory, with corroborative comparisons made against survey instrument measurements generally confirming good agreement. Simulated tracking of an individual within the facility was performed, recording a 1.25 μSv total effective dose and accounting for dose rates as low as 0.5 nSv h−1, which is much lower than anything that could be accurately measured by physical neutron dosemeters in such a field.