Within the framework of the project with VF a.s. and MU Brno, we carried out research and development of methods for detection of mixed fields of ionizing radiation based on scintillation and proportional detectors. We have developed and launched a new product, the SGN-02 probe. This is designed to measure the spatial dose rate equivalent of gamma and neutrons. The probe can operate in two modes: dual mode (gamma and neutron measurement) or gamma only mode. It will be used in environments such as nuclear power plants, PET centres with cyclotron, neutron calibration laboratories, particle accelerator sites, spent fuel storage facilities, nuclear material storage facilities and others. The main components of the probe are a plastic scintillator and a high-speed spectrum analyzer, which allows the measurement and discrimination of gamma and neutron radiation based on time-resolved characteristics (PSD). Accurate response over a wide energy range is enabled by energy compensation using the measured spectra. The signal processing electronics use the stored ICRP-74 coefficients to accurately calculate the H*(10) spatial dose equivalent power for neutrons and gamma for different energies. The response function for gamma and neutrons was tested in the gamma irradiator (Cs-137, Co-60) of VF, a.s. and in the neutron irradiator (Cf-252, Am-Be) at CMI Prague. Based on the measurement results, the measurement ranges were determined and confirmed by the simulations. This is a unique product on the market, the only one that integrates accurate measurement and resolution of gamma and neutron radiation in a mixed field environment. The first sales were made immediately after the probe was launched. The project also addressed the spectrometry of low-energy neutrons in mixed-field environments, where the inconvenient Boner sphere method is traditionally used. We therefore decided to implement a laboratory spectrometry system based on gas proportional detectors. We have implemented this and verified its functionality at several sites. This research started the cooperation of several subjects (Brno University of Technology, MU Brno, UNOB Brno, Czech Technical University Prague, Centrum výzkumu Řež s.r.o., VF a.s.), including foreign ones (TU Dresden). The consortium is further developing the basic concept developed within the project with the aim of realizing a full-fledged prototype of the spectroscopic system. https://www.vfnuclear.com/en/products/86/smart-gamma-and-neutron-detector http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/SENSORS52175.2022.9967214

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