Determination of the spatial distribution of neutron fluence rate using printed activation foil arrays

A novel method to fabricate neutron activation foil arrays using a semiconductor printing technique is proposed; it allows higher resolutions, and fast and convenient fabrication. A validation irradiation test is performed, using a traditional array and the proposed printed array. The latter exhibited higher resolution and avoided the spatial distortion of the traditional foil array which can reach several tens of percent. Furthermore, it can be easily bent and made to use small individual foils (1 mm or less), making it suitable to measure neutron spatial distributions at the curved surfaces of pipes or the inner surface of irradiation passages.