Miniature Neutron Spectrometer for Space

Abstract

MIDAS is a miniature detector developed with purpose to assess the radiation field parameters near to an astronaut. Part of the device is a spectrometer for fast neutrons. In missions outside the geomagnetic field, fast neutrons are secondary products of the interaction of Galactic Cosmic Ray heavy ions with the materials in the spaceship or even the astronaut body. The Relative Biological Effectiveness of fast neutrons is high. The neutron spectrometer first prototype has been developed, calibrated and used for measuring 252Cf spectra.