The Use of ¹⁸⁴W as a Thermal Flux Monitor at High Temperatures

Tungsten-184 is a useful dosimeter for thermal neutrons, particularly for high temperature applications. Correlation of neutron flux with ⁵⁹Co activation and ²³⁵U fission density for short-term irradiations is shown. The ¹⁸⁴W thermal-neutron capture cross-section in the Plum Brook Reactor was found to be 1.94 ± 0.08 b. Cadmium ratios for ¹⁸⁴W are ∼⅕ of the value found for ⁵⁹Co in differing spectral regions of the reactor. The radiochemistry and counting techniques for ¹⁸⁵W are described.