EURADOS intercomparison for neutron calibration laboratories for personal dose equivalent in ISO neutron reference fields (IC2026NL)

EURADOS offers the possibility of participating in the IC2026NL intercomparison for neutron calibration laboratories. 

Participation is open to laboratories and institutes that provide calibration or irradiation services for personal neutron dosemeters and operate suitable neutron reference radiation fields for the determination of the personal dose equivalent H_p(10).

Upon registration, the participant can choose one, two or three of the following ISO 8529 neutron reference fields: ²⁵²Cf (bare source), ²⁴¹Am-Be, ²⁵²Cf (D₂O moderated). Participants who wish to use the shadow cone method to estimate the scattered component can select this irradiation condition in the registration form for each neutron field. 

Two sets of six passive personal neutron dosemeters will be provided per neutron radiation quality for measurement without and with shadow cone to each participant. The six spare and two transport dosemeters will also be provided. One set will be provided by PSI/Switzerland and the second set by UKHSA/UK.  The target dose value shall be a conventional personal dose equivalent of 2 mSv, referred to the direct neutron field. In case such a dose is not possible to achieve in a reasonable time, it is allowed to irradiate with a lower dose however, the uncertainty of the evaluation will be higher. Further details concerning the irradiation procedure are provided in the protocol of intercomparison attached in the registration form. We recommend reading the protocol before filling out the registration form.

The participation fee depends on the number of chosen neutron radiation qualities and irradiation conditions (with shadow cone or without) and the status of being a EURADOS sponsor as given in the following table. The quality in the table refers to both measurements without and with shadow cone.    

The participation fee depends on the number of chosen neutron radiation qualities and irradiation conditions and the status of being a EURADOS sponsor:    

The participation fee for the intercomparison is 1,100 EUR for the participation of one quality and additional 420 EUR for additional quantities. 

For EURADOS Sponsors the basic fee is reduced to 990 EUR for the participation of the first quality.

Organising group within EURADOS

• Malgorzata Kasprzak & Sabine Mayer (PSI)
• Marco Caresana (POLIMI)
• Mirco Dietz (PTB)
• Cristian Mihailescu & Filip Vanhavere (SCK CEN)
• Rick Tanner (UKHSA)
• François Trompier (ASNR). 

Contact: IC2026NL [at] eurados [dot] org (IC2026NL[at]eurados[dot]org)

Intercomparison schedule (see also intercomparison protocol) 

Registration for the neutron intercomparison IC2026NL will open on 21 February 2026 and close on the 21 March 2026. The distribution of dosemeters to the participating laboratories is planned for the period from April to June 2026. Participants are expected to submit their irradiation data and reports by 17 August 2026, and to return the dosemeters to the pilot laboratories PSI and UKHSA by 13 September 2026. The final report and certificates are expected to be issued in June 2027.  

Registration

The registration is closed.